Lisa O
Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events, with endless to-dos, packing, and organizing. But with some planning and helpful tips, you can make it a smoother experience. Here are 30 strategies to help you stay organized, keep stress levels down, and make your move as manageable as possible.
Start Packing Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing. Start with non-essential items weeks in advance, like seasonal clothing or decor. Packing a little each day helps avoid feeling overwhelmed and gives you time to sort through belongings, making your move more organized and less stressful. Also, breaking tasks down keeps everything more manageable.
Create a Moving Checklist
A moving checklist keeps you organized and ensures nothing is forgotten. List each task, such as transferring utilities, organizing movers, packing, and cleaning, with deadlines for each. By breaking down the move into manageable steps, you can reduce stress and get a clear picture of what needs to be done and when.
Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is the perfect opportunity to clear out belongings you no longer need. Sort items into keep, donate, or discard categories before packing. Letting go of unnecessary things lightens your load, speeds up packing, and reduces clutter in your new space, helping make your move more efficient and manageable.
Label Boxes Clearly
Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to for a smoother unpacking process. Use clear, bold labels, and consider color-coding by room. This small effort makes it easier for movers (or yourself) to place boxes in the correct rooms, reducing confusion and saving you time and stress during unpacking.
Pack an Essentials Box
Prepare a box with items you’ll need right away, like toiletries, chargers, snacks, and important documents. Keep it with you during the move to avoid digging through boxes for essentials. Having this “survival kit” makes settling in easier and gives you everything you need right on hand from day one.
Use Quality Packing Materials
Investing in sturdy boxes, packing tape, and cushioning materials keeps your belongings safe. Fragile items especially benefit from bubble wrap or packing paper, as they reduce the risk of damage. Quality materials protect your items, make packing easier, and prevent last-minute emergencies due to broken boxes.
Take Photos of Electronics Setups
Take photos of how your electronics are set up before disconnecting them. These photos make reassembly much easier and save you from frustration when setting up in your new home. Label cords, too—especially for complex systems like home theaters or computer setups—to keep everything straightforward when it’s time to reconnect.
Arrange for Child or Pet Care on Moving Day
Moving with kids or pets can be hectic, so consider arranging for them to stay with friends or family. This keeps them safe and out of the movers’ way. Without extra distractions, you can focus on getting everything moved efficiently, reducing stress for both you and your family.
Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes
Packing heavy items, like books or dishes, in smaller boxes makes them easier to lift and reduces the risk of the boxes breaking. Smaller, lighter boxes are safer for your belongings and easier for movers to handle, making the loading and unloading process faster, safer, and easier.
Use Luggage for Heavier Items
Suitcases with wheels are perfect for heavier items like books, shoes, or kitchen supplies. This method saves box space, helps avoid broken boxes, and makes moving heavier items easier without straining your back. Using luggage to transport weighty items reduces trips to the truck and keeps everything organized.
Schedule Utility Transfers Early
Avoid arriving at your new home without electricity or internet by scheduling utility transfers a week before your move. Arranging services like water, electricity, and internet early ensures your home is functional from day one, helping you settle in faster and with peace of mind.
Measure Furniture and Doorways
Measure large furniture pieces and doorways in both homes to avoid moving-day surprises. Knowing if a couch or dresser can fit through the door saves time and frustration. Preparing for tight spaces makes it easier to navigate furniture without damage, making the entire moving process more efficient.
Pack a First-Night Bag
Moving is exhausting, so pack a first-night bag with essentials like pajamas, toiletries, and a change of clothes. After a long day, you won’t want to dig through boxes to find the basics. Having a bag with everything you need helps you settle in right away and eases the first night in your new home.
Plan for Meals on Moving Day
Moving day can be chaotic, so planning meals in advance is helpful. Stock up on easy-to-eat snacks, order takeout, or pack a cooler with simple sandwiches and drinks. Staying nourished prevents hunger, fatigue, and crankiness, helping everyone stay energized and focused throughout the day.
Don’t Overfill Boxes
Overpacked boxes are heavy and prone to breaking, making them harder to transport. Stick to a manageable weight, especially for fragile items. Keeping boxes lighter reduces the risk of damage to your belongings, making the move safer and easier for everyone involved.
Label Fragile Items
Label boxes with fragile items so that movers will handle them carefully. Use bold markers or stickers, and label every side of the box for easy visibility. Taking this extra step protects your valuables during the move and gives you peace of mind about their safe arrival.
Use a Moving App
Moving apps help organize tasks, track inventories, and manage timelines. These apps allow you to create checklists, inventory your belongings, and set reminders. Keeping everything organized in one place reduces mental clutter and keeps you on top of each task during your move. So, think about downloading one before your moving day.
Consider Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers can take much of the burden off your shoulders. Movers have the experience and equipment to handle heavy lifting, making the move faster and easier for you. Research movers and book in advance to secure a reliable team, allowing you to focus on other moving tasks.
Purge Expired or Unused Items
Moving is the perfect time to get rid of expired pantry items, outdated cosmetics, or unused items. Sorting through these before you pack lightens your load and reduces clutter in your new space. Less stuff to move means fewer boxes, helping the entire process feel more manageable.
Enlist Help from Friends and Family
Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family to help with packing, loading, or cleaning. Moving is a big task, and extra hands make a big difference. Assign tasks to each person to avoid confusion and keep everything organized. This way, your moving day will be more efficient and less stressful.
Set Up Your Bed First
After a tiring moving day, having your bed ready is a small comfort that makes a big difference. As soon as you arrive, set up the bed frame, layout sheets, and arrange pillows. After a long day of moving, you will have a cozy place to rest immediately, helping you wind down from the day’s work.
Take Breaks During the Move
Moving can be physically and mentally exhausting. Set reminders to take breaks, hydrate, and stretch throughout the day. Regular breaks help you avoid burnout and prevent potential accidents or mistakes caused by fatigue. By keeping your energy levels steady, you’ll have an easier, more focused moving day.
Set a Budget for Moving Expenses
Moving costs can add up, from packing materials to movers. Setting a budget ahead of time helps you manage expenses and avoid surprises. Track each cost carefully, and leave some flexibility in your budget for any unexpected expenses. A clear budget keeps financial stress to a minimum.
Pack an “Unpacking Kit”
An unpacking kit with essentials like scissors, box cutters, trash bags, and cleaning supplies makes setting up your new space easier. Having these basics ready saves time and prevents frustration when you’re unpacking. You’ll have everything you need to get organized and start setting up your new home smoothly.
Use Clothing to Pad Fragile Items
Use soft clothing, like t-shirts or towels, to wrap fragile items. This reduces the need for extra padding material and protects delicate items from damage. Using clothes as padding is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to safeguard breakables during the move while also saving space in your boxes.
Label Boxes with Priority Levels
Mark boxes by priority level—like “High,” “Medium,” or “Low”—to indicate which should be unpacked first. This approach helps you locate essentials quickly without opening every box immediately. Organizing unpacking by priority lets you pace yourself and eases the transition into your new home.
Pack Dishes Vertically
Packing dishes on their sides, rather than stacking them flat, reduces the risk of breakage. Place padding between each dish to provide extra cushioning. Vertical packing distributes weight more evenly, helping protect fragile items and giving you peace of mind about their safe arrival at your new home.
Check the Weather Forecast
Extreme weather can complicate moving, so check the forecast and prepare accordingly. Lay down tarps if it’s rainy, have blankets for the cold, or plan to keep fans handy in the heat. Having a weather plan prevents stress and keeps your belongings and moving team safe, no matter the forecast.
Label Boxes with Contents
Listing the contents of each box makes finding items easier during unpacking. Write down important items or general categories (e.g., “kitchenware” or “toiletries”) so you can quickly locate what you need. This organization speeds up unpacking and reduces the frustration of searching through multiple boxes.
Do a Final Walkthrough Before Leaving
After packing, do a final walkthrough to ensure nothing is left behind. Check all rooms, closets, cabinets, and storage areas—these spots are easy to overlook. This last look ensures nothing important is forgotten, giving you peace of mind and avoiding any regrets after you’ve left.