Whether you are preparing to downsize your home or upsizing with a growing family, you want to find ways to make this move an organized and well-thought-out process. What does that mean? Here we will share our tips to help you move easier, unpack more quickly, and with much less stress.

Tip #1: Declutter Before You Pack 

Do the decluttering now, before the first box is packed. I can't stress this enough. Imagine trekking box after box of items into your new home only to discover that half of the contents are things you do not use or want. We've seen it time and again. This ends up being a waste of time, a waste of money (if you pay someone to move you), and can be frustrating for you in the end. If you are planning to edit your things anyway, it is always best to do so before the move.

Tip #2: Create a Portable Moving Kit

Once the editing is complete and donations have been made, it's time to think about packing. One of the biggest misunderstandings people have is knowing how and what to purchase for the packing project. You will need a variety of box sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and sharpies. 

Creating a portable bin with these smaller supply items is very helpful when moving from room to room. You may be tempted to use whatever boxes you can get your hands on, like a leftover Amazon box. While this can save money, uniform moving boxes are not only better made but will also make loading and unloading much easier. Check out your local recycling center. Sometimes this is a good resource for used moving boxes.

Tip #3: Label Everything Clearly 

Color-coding your boxes for each room is a great way to ensure they are delivered to the right room in your new home.  Our organizing team uses labels such as Kitchen, Pantry, Laundry, etc., that are also color coded. This will help you or your mover visually see where the box should land.  

You can also use simple colored stickers to mark the different rooms as well. Just be sure to write down which room is yellow and which one is green!

Tip #4: Separate Daily Essentials 

Before moving day, be sure to pack a box or a bag of important daily essentials that goes in the car with you and not the moving truck. Items like your wallet, medications and toiletries are things you won't want to be digging through a pile of boxes for on your first day in your new home. 

It's also a great idea to have an "Open First" box with essentials like water bottles, toilet paper, paper plates, phone chargers, pjs...you get the picture. It will be the one box among all the others that will help you feel like you can function in your new space right away.

For more tips, read The Best Way to Unpack After a Move: Tips for a Smooth Transition.

Need help organizing your home pre-move or even post-move? Let's chat. We'd love to help.

See you soon,

Karen