Perhaps you’ve moved a few times in the past, but each time you catch yourself thinking “Next time, I’ll be more prepared and organized.” Here are a few tips and tricks to get you more mentally prepared for your next move.
- Don’t Procrastinate
As soon as you and your family make the decision to move, get started on the packing and organizing. Settling things far in advance, such as a change of address and forwarding mail, will prevent you from needing to make those changes when problems occur down the road. - Decluttering
Recruit friends or family and pick a room a week to go through. Assess each item and decide whether or not you can see yourself using it in your new space. Figure out what can be tossed, donated, or put in storage for later use. Don’t forget to ask others if they have any use for lightly-used items. - Purchase Moving Materials
Be sure to buy moving boxes in every size, bubble wrap, sharpies for labeling, and packing tape. Using moving boxes is a great way to stay organized and they can be stacked in a corner as you begin to pack up the house over a long period of time. Many professional moving companies can also provide these materials. - Make a Floorplan
Drawing a floorplan of your new place and handing out copies to your movers will decrease the amount of time it takes to get settled and organized. Full-service moving companies have no problem setting up furniture exactly where you want it, but having a floor plan can reduce the amount of thinking effort you need to do on moving day. - Hire Professionals
Sure, it can be great to get friends, families, and neighbors to help you and your family move, but that’s such a hassle — and an accident waiting to happen. Professional movers are professionals for a reason: they know exactly how to wrap expensive pieces of furniture or kitchenware and they will always come prepared with padding and other materials to keep your floors, walls, and ceilings safe from nicks and scratches.