Our Top 10 Moving Tips!
Start the process with a ruthless declutter. Sounds daunting, but it is really not! This step will free up space in your home and your mind -There is something so satisfying about letting go. Clear your kitchen counters as much as possible. Clean your closets by packing up little-used items like out-of-season clothes. Haven’t worn it or used it in a year? It’s time to say goodbye. You will feel SO much better by just accomplishing this! Put some furniture in storage. Pack up family photos, knickknacks, and wall hangings to depersonalize your home. Store the items you’ve packed offsite or in boxes neatly arranged in your garage.
Get a handful of clear storage bins. No time to frantically rip open 19 boxes in search of your coffee maker the morning after the big move! This is super helpful for important items in frequently-used rooms like the kitchen or living room. Seriously, being able to see what’s in your boxes is a game changer!
If cardboard boxes are not your thing. We have personally used Geaux Crates and woah! We love how convenient these things are. They are easy to roll around your house, stackable, super sturdy and better for the Earth because they are reusable! This company drop off plastic crates at your home for you to pack and then they pick them up when you are all done with them. If you are moving a 4 bedroom home, we recommend a 2 week rental of 100 crates.
Start packing now. If you KNOW you’re moving, start packing now, even if it’s months away. Just get started. Pack extra linens, holiday decorations, out-of-season clothes, and the “good dishes.”
Pack smart.
Pack heavy items in small containers, because well...they're heavy. You will thank yourself later!
Protect your hanging clothes with garbage bags and use the ties or a rubber band to tie the hangers together. No need for expensive closet boxes.
Know where all of your cleaning supplies are at all times.
Make a moving day plan.
Put together an hour-by-hour breakdown of who’s doing what—it’s almost like assigning work shifts.
Put together a bag of essential items for each family member.
This may be our favorite tip! Make sure each family member has a bag of clothes and toiletries to get through the first few days post-move. Pack their favorite toys, medications, and snacks—and make sure these bags are easy to grab.
Make moving day count.
Start with your biggest pieces first (think furniture), then move onto boxes and bags.
Prioritize your unpack plan of attack.
Do the kitchen first. Food is fuel and the kitchen is the heart of the home after all.
Next are the kids’ rooms. Get those little ones settled.
Then tackle the rest of the house.
Relax into New Normal
Setting up new routines and traditions can be fun, and you may find that doing your “normal” things in a new way can bring more calm to your family.
If you’re still waiting for your dining room furniture, have a pizza "party" on the floor!
If the beds aren’t ready yet, make your first night fun! Roll out sleeping bags or mattresses in the living room and build a fort.
Do you have a new commute to work? Try a couple different routes over the next few days, and see which one’s the fastest—and which one goes by the Starbucks.
Schedule utilities, mail, and more for your new address.
Schedule disconnect and reconnect dates for all of your utilities (like electricity, water, and internet)
Nail down your new trash/recycling pickup situation
Make copies of your new house keys
Set up a mail forward with the Post Office
Make a list of all the places where you’ll need to change your address (like credit cards and other online accounts) so making the change will be super easy after you move
Simplicity Tip
If you've got a big move coming up or any kind of big goal, set a timeline for yourself. If you're feeling super overwhelmed, sometimes all you need is to see your plan written on paper to help calm your nerves and know that it's doable. Write down your moving date, and work backwards from there, thinking through all the steps we talked about today. Maybe you decide to tackle one part of your house each week leading up to the move. Whatever works best for you, just get it on paper and stick to the plan. Hang that baby on the fridge and as you work, take your time to reminisce on what your old space has brought to you and give yourself the time to look forward to what's next. This will infuse a bit more meaning into your move and maybe even bring you a little joy along the way.
Take your time to reminisce on what your old space has brought to you, and give yourself the time to look forward to what's next. This will infuse a bit more meaning into your move and maybe even bring you a little joy along the way.
No matter where you're coming from or where you're going, moving offers us something we all need every now and again: a fresh start. If you need a fresh start, give DMR a call. We would live to be your partner through this big adventure.
Sources: Simplified, HAR Real Insight, Del Monte Realty.