Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful. There’s just so much to do between packing, scheduling the movers, transferring utilities and then (finally) unpacking. The process can be exciting as well as overwhelming, especially if you are moving during a busy time of the year, such as around the holidays. When everything you own is placed inside of moving boxes, it is common to feel disorganized during your move. We have good news — the following simple tips on how to organize your move will help take away the stress and make you feel more organized while moving.
Make a Checklist
The first (and most important) thing you need to do if you want to be organized is create a checklist. Your checklist should include everything you need to relocate, including:
- A list of people to call for your change of address, such as utility companies and banks
- A list of moving supplies, including boxes, labels and tape
- The moving company information, including phone number and scheduled time of arrival
Take it Room by Room
First and foremost, get rid of the clutter. Avoid moving anything you do not love and do not need. It is time-consuming as well as physically unnecessary to move the things you won’t using in your new home. Working one room at a time, separate the items into categories — the items you are moving, items to be donated and items that can be thrown out. Start by getting rid of clutter, such as broken tools, old toys and old clothing. Before moving onto the next room, take out the trash, box up donation items and put the donation box in the car.
Stock Up on Moving Supplies
One of the easiest ways to have an organized move is by having the items you will need for packing. Get boxes in a variety of sizes. New boxes are easier to pack and seal and they are easier to stack, which reduces the risk of damage to the contents. If you are packing in used boxes, make sure they are clean, in good condition and have covers so they can be properly closed and sealed with tape. You can find old boxes at grocery stores, liquor stores and other merchants, or simply buy new ones from a local moving company. You will also need plenty of heavy-duty tape and wrapping paper. Newspaper works great for packing, by the way.
Pack Smart
Pack room by room and keep the contents of each room in separate boxes. Start packing as early as possible. Even if you are only able to pack two boxes a day, in one month, you will have already packed 60 boxes. Start in the areas where items are less frequently used, such as the attic, garage or basement. Label every box to take the guesswork out of what’s inside each one when you get to your new home. Trust us, it will help decrease the amount of time you spend unpacking. Don’t forget to securely seal the boxes with packing tape to make sure they don’t come open in the moving truck or when they are being carried.
Survival Kit
Pack a “survival kit” for your first night in the new house. This should include the things you will need to get through the night if you want to put off unpacking until the next day. Some helpful items may include:
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- The coffee maker, coffee and coffee cups
- Toilet tissue
- Towels
- Toiletries
- A change of clothes
- Blankets
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
Enlist any help you can get, stay calm and take your time. If you take the time to prepare, unpacking shouldn’t be too overwhelming. Try to listen to upbeat music while you are packing and unpacking to help relieve the stress. Think of this as an adventure and a workout! After all, you are moving into a new chapter of your life.
Whether you are moving to or from the Austin area, contact Patriot Relocation Company to learn more information about how we can help with your move.