While it should be an exciting time to move to a new home, often the word moving is associated with stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. However, with a little bit of prep work, moving can be a breeze no matter how many boxes you have, or how far of a distance you have to go. If you are wondering how you can have a stress-free move to a new home, or at least a move that doesn’t make you feel a nervous breakdown is on the horizon, then read these valuable tips offered by Andrew Turner of professional removals company Excalibur of Bristol.
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Create a checklist
This is the most important step. Before you grab boxes and start filling them, take out a piece of paper or create a document on the computer of all the things you need to do. Your checklist should contain items like the following:
- Declutter all rooms
- Organize belongings into categories
- Label boxes
- Clean house or hire a cleaner
- Purchase packing materials
- Call friends to help
By creating a checklist, you are holding yourself accountable for not forgetting to do something. Plus, having a visual to refer to during the chaos of moving is a very helpful tool. To make the checklist even more helpful, you can divide it into sections, such things you have to do within one month of moving, one week of moving, and then one day prior to moving.
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Don’t pack last minute
It will probably always feel like you are throwing last minute items into boxes or the moving truck – this is normal. What is not recommended is leaving major things to pack until the last minute. Getting an early start on packing means you can take your time and carefully declutter simultaneously.
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Keep clothes on hangers
While it may seem weird to move your clothes with hangers, you will be glad you did when you arrive to your new home. All you have to do is take the clothes out of the truck or van and pop them right in your closet. Plus, this keeps clothes tidy rather than tossing them in a bag to become wrinkled.
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Hire a moving company
Depending on your budget, a moving company may or may not be a consideration. If you are able to hire a moving company, you can leave all the dirty work to the movers, as most companies will also provide a packing service and the required materials. All you will be responsible for is making sure you have your belongings laid out for them to pack and cleaning your house when everything is removed. Or if your budget allows, leave the cleaning to a professional company.
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Pack by item instead of by room
A great way to organise your belongings and reduce packing time is to pack by items. For example, one morning you will choose books. Then you go through each room and take any books to a large surface like the dining table and decide which you’ll keep, and which you’ll donate to charity shops or friends. This way each room empties gradually simultaneously, and your items are much easier to rearrange the other end.
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Wrap breakables in clothing or towels
A lot of money can be spent on packing materials. Instead of spending the money, wrap breakables in fluffy towels or clothing. This is a simple trick to saving space in boxes because you are able to wrap two things at the same time.
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Set yourself a timer when packing
It is very easy to become distracted when packing. You may find an old box of sentimental items from high school or a toy you used to play with as a kid, and before you know it, you have spent an hour reminiscing. Set a visible timer for yourself when packing each room and hold yourself accountable to finishing within a certain amount of time.
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Make a donation box
Moving is a great time to purge your closet and donate items you no longer use. Set a box out and put items in it as you go through each room. There is no point in keeping every single thing you own if you haven’t looked at it in a while. In fact, you should ask yourself, “have I worn this in a year?” if the answer is no, then donate it!
With these practical and useful tips, your move is bound to be an easier one.
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