Planning a big move? Whether you’re moving across the country with the help of a team of full-service movers, or you’re just making a local move to a new apartment or home, we know the process of staying organized while you move can be intimidating. There’s just so much to do!
Well, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of the best tips you can use to keep yourself organized while you’re moving. Take a look at them now, and think about how you can use these tips to simplify your moving process – and stay organized!
1. Plan Your Packing Strategy Ahead Of Time, And Start With “Non-Essential” Rooms
If you’re rushing around and trying to pack up last-minute, you’re going to be stressed, frustrated, and disorganized. A move is not usually something that sneaks up on you – generally, you’ll have at least a few weeks to prepare.
So use this to your advantage. Plan your moving and packing strategy ahead of time – and start packing up a little bit of your stuff each day. We recommend that you start with rooms that contain things that are “non-essential.”
For example, you could pack up things that are in your attic or basement, pack up most of the toys in your child’s playrooms, pack up books from your library or living room, pack up the guest linens and other items from your guest room, pack up seasonal clothing from your closet – you get the picture. Typically, the rooms that should be packed up last before your move are the kitchen and bedrooms – you can do these in the last few days before your move.
By taking things slowly and packing up gradually, you’ll have an easier time staying organized – and you won’t feel nearly as rushed, because you’ll have less to do as your moving date approaches.
2. Label All Of Your Boxes Clearly And Create A Packing List For Each One
This is essential for re-organizing your stuff properly once you’ve made your move. You should clearly label each box using tape and a marker, or a label maker. “LIVING ROOM BOOKS,” “GUEST ROOM LINENS,” “DISHES” – you get the picture. Labeling boxes ensures that you can move them to the right rooms once you’ve made your move.
But we recommend going above and beyond just labeling your boxes. You should also create a packing list for each one – this is relatively easy to do. Just keep a pad and paper or your smartphone’s Notes app open while you pack up each box, and note what is going into each box.
Not only does this ensure you know exactly what you’ve packed, it ensures that you know exactly where it is when it’s time to unpack in your new home.
3. Pare Down Your Belongings While You Move With The “4 Pile” Method
Moving is the best time to pare down your belongings, and get rid of stuff you don’t really need. As you pack, we recommend you go through your stuff, and sort them with the “4 pile” method.
Move – These are items that you want to keep and take with you, and will be packed and brought to your new home
Sell – These are items that are valuable, but that you may not need, or may not be worth taking with you. For example, it may be better to sell your couch and buy a new one if you’re moving across the country, due to the cost of shipping such a large piece of furniture
Donate – These are items that are valuable, but that you may not be using – tools or equipment for a hobby you’re not interested in, gently-worn clothing, etc. You can donate them to local charities and stores.
Junk – These are items that are useless and valueless, such as damaged clothing, broken electronics, etc. They’re good for only one thing – throwing away (or recycling).
4. Pack A “Moving Day Essentials” Box With The Things You’ll Need On Move-In Day
This is a great tip when you’re finishing up your move. This box should contain the essential things that you may need to use when you move, such as:
Medications
Toiletries
Extra sets of clothing
ID/credit cards
Important personal documents
Baby necessities
Paper towels and trash bags
Toilet paper
Toolkits
Pet essentials
Basically, anything you think you will need access to on moving day should be put in this box – that way, you don’t have to rummage through other boxes just to find what you need.
5. Make A Change Of Address Checklist To Use After You Move
When you move, you’ll need to file a change of address with the USPS. You should also make a change of address checklist to ensure that all of your personal information is updated with relevant companies – like banking and insurance companies. This list should include:
Employer
State & local tax agencies
Utility companies
Cell phone companies
Home/renters insurance
Auto insurance
Banking/credit card companies
Loan providers
Other financial agencies (investment accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, etc.)
Magazines and subscription services
Clubs and organizations
Doctors, dentists, vets and other service providers
Online shopping websites like Amazon
If you change your address with every relevant company and organization as soon as you move, you’ll minimize the risk of missing an important piece of mail.
6. Get Your Old (And New) Utilities Squared Away Before Moving Day
Make sure that you’ve contacted your utility companies including water, gas, electricity, and cable/internet before your move. Cancel your service on your moving date at your old home – and make sure that you’ve set up service at your new place of residence before you move.
Being proactive about this ensures you avoid any double billing or paying extra for services you don’t need – and also ensures that your new home is fully hooked up with gas, water and power when you move in.
7. Make Sure You Have All The Packing Supplies You Need
When you start packing up your home, make sure you’ve got all the packing supplies you need, including:
Sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes of various sizes
Packing tape
Markers
Scissors
Packing material like bubble wrap or foam pellets
Plastic wrap
Moving blankets for furniture and electronics
If you’re short on supplies, you can always purchase more from retailers like U-Haul, Home Depot and others. You can also often find used, discounted boxes and moving supplies on websites like Craigslist if you’re on a budget.
8. Keep All Of Your Moving Paperwork In One Place
The process of moving can create quite a bit of paperwork – from moving estimates to correspondence with utility companies, home inventory sheets, moving checklists, information about your new home, receipts… you get the picture.
To keep these documents organized, we recommend keeping them in a single binder or folder that you’ll keep with you during – and after – your move. Keeping all of your documentation will ensure that the process goes smoothly, particularly if there is a dispute or problem with your moving company.
9. Have A Realistic Unpacking Timeframe (And Stick To It!)
Once you move, create an unpacking timeframe and start working immediately, but at your own pace. Maybe you think you can handle unpacking just 1-2 rooms per day, or you’re looking to get your entire place unpacked in just a week – that’s up to you.
Setting a time limit that’s reasonable will help you stay focused and motivated. Don’t be unrealistic, though – you’re probably not going to get through unpacking a 3-bedroom home in just a few days! Give yourself some leeway, and be realistic about the pace at which you can work.
10. Focus On Organizing Your Stuff While You Unpack – Create An Organizing Plan!
You should do your best to keep your stuff organized and store it properly while you unpack – don’t just unload it wherever it fits. You should create an organizing plan while you’re unpacking.
This will let you identify areas of your new home where you may need additional storage, and then you can make a list of all the things you’ll need to organize your stuff properly.
Stay Organized With These 10 Simple Tips For Moving!
Even in the best of times, moving is still time-consuming and stressful. But with these simple tips, you can make things easier on yourself – and simplify the process of packing, moving and unpacking. Take another look at them now, and think about which tips you can use during your move.
Author Bio: Tom Masters is a moving specialist working with A-1 Auto Transport. They specialize in moving people within a state in the USA from state to state and internationally.
