Moving tends to be a stressful time filled with boxes strewn across the living room floor and odds and ends that you're not sure what to do with. If you want to make sure that your move goes smoothly, you have to figure out if you want to keep, sell, donate or throw away things that have been collecting dust in the garage. Moving tends to show you just how many things you have that you no longer use. There are plenty of ways you can get ready for a move so that you'll have exactly what you need at your new place.

Where to Start

When you're getting ready for a move, a couple of months before moving day is not too early to start packing. Make a plan to tackle a few rooms per weekend so that you're not rushed at the last minute. You should also begin to think about how you'll pack everything. If you still have the boxes for your electronics, these will become very handy because you'll have the materials to ensure that they don't get damaged in transit. If you no longer have the original boxes, you'll need to find materials to protect your electronics during the move. You can also start gathering boxes, old newspapers, packing peanuts and other packing materials so that you already have what you need when you're ready to pack.

Time to Declutter

When you're looking for ways to make your packing and moving easier, On the Move Moving and Storage suggests that taking the time to get rid of things that you don't want or need can actually be freeing. You can stay organized by getting rid of the items you don’t use. Start doing this a couple of months before you actually move. If you have multiples of certain items, you can donate the surplus. You should also get rid of any items that are broken. Pare down the items in your closet, especially if they no longer fit you. If you've been wanting to declutter your home, moving is the perfect opportunity to do it.

Intelligent Packing

When you're packing items, make sure that you clearly label each of the boxes so that assigning the room where each box goes is easy when you're ready to unpack in your new home. Unpakt recommends using color-coding, stickers, or numbering to make sure you don’t lose anything. You should also pack each box no heavier than you can carry. Finally, choose sturdy boxes so that they stay closed and keep your belongings inside.

Moving can get hectic, but with a few basic tricks, your move will go much more smoothly. Start planning well in advance so that you have time to find everything you'll need for the project. Organize everything and label it clearly.

If you are thinking of putting your house up for sale, contact me for a free consultation!