Moving Tips for the Least Amount of Pain
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So you’re moving…
Whether you are moving onto a different phase of your life (new job, school or relationship, downsizing or up-sizing), whether you are moving down the street, across town or across the country: you NEED TO HAVE A PLAN!
Sometimes the best plan is to have a professional moving company do what they do best, but you may not be able to afford hundreds or thousands of dollars to have them do everything and this article is not about that.
The last time I moved, I swore I would never move again,but, like childbirth, you forget the pain. No, I’m still not planning on moving again, but a few people who are close to me are, so I thought I’d share some basic tips to make it as painless as possible for packing and organizing.
#1) Think backwards…
When you arrive in your new home, what are you going to need first? A cup of coffee? A beer? Something to eat? Do you need a change of clothes or pajamas? A hammer or screwdriver? Cleaning supplies? Bedding?
Pack an overnight bag with a change of clothing and toiletries that you will need for the first night. Prepare a First Night Box for those essential items you’re going to need right away – toilet paper, can opener, coffee maker, a few cups, bowls, plates, cutlery and keep your tools handy.
#2) Purge everything you do not love or find useful to you.
Toss, donate or sell your unwanted items. Why waste the time, energy or space moving something you don’t want? Someone else might appreciate some of your no longer loved items and you will get to feel good for helping someone out. If you have something more valuable that you want to sell, give yourself a timeline to sell it by and then if you don’t sell it – give it away.
#3) Pack room by room or location.
Colour code items with different coloured tape, stickers or pens to designate which room they go into or into storage.
#4) Use free boxes, garbage bags, reusable shopping bags and existing storage bins, drawers, suitcases,etc.
Get free boxes from grocery stores, liquor stores, etc. Use cling wrap around drawers and existing open storage bins. Leave hanging clothes on hangers and put in garbage bags, tying around the necks of hangers.
#5)Pack with double duty in mind.
Use soft items to wrap more breakable items. Use your dish towels to wrap your cups; use paper plates in between ceramic plates to cushion them; use scarves to wrap jewelry cases. Purses, bags and suitcases can also be used to store items including other purses and bags. You can also use your laundry baskets or hampers to put things in.
#6 Clearly label all boxes on all sides what is in them-not just the room they go into.
You think you’ll remember what is in what box, but you won’t. Also, putting a label on top and all sides, allows you to know exactly which box the wine opener, can opener, pens and paper, etc. are in and you can still see it if other boxes are stacked on top and sides. This will save you weeks of aggravation if you don’t have time to unpack everything right away.
#7) Make a floor plan of your new place and where you want your furniture placed.
Even if they aren’t put in the exact spot you want, if the movers (aka. You and your friends) know what rooms they will be put in, this will save you a lot of work later.
#8) Be on site or designate someone to supervise the loading and unloading if possible.
Unfortunately, with my last move I had to make several trips (I wasn’t moving far and didn’t rent a big truck, thinking we could do it with a few trucks, trailers and my car.) I couldn’t be at my new house when they unloaded. Here the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” comes into play, because they didn’t even look at the floor plan!
Good luck with your move.
