I’ve seen quite a few friends recently talking about moving home; it must be that time of year. Children are about to break up school so it’s an ideal time for families to consider a relocation to a different part of the country. It’s stressful though, and to be honest that’s what I’ve seen them saying on social media, that packing up your belongings and consequently tripping over boxes for weeks is no fun.
As an adult are you able to remember how many different homes you’ve lived in? Can you count them on one hand or do they go into double figures? I’ve been in the home in which I live now longer than any other house, apart from my childhood home, and since leaving home I’ve lived in 13 different houses. Many I only stayed for short periods of time when I was a student or working in London, but in my twenties I still moved around quite a bit before putting down roots and buying my first house. So that’s a lot of packing and moving over the years, much of which I wouldn’t wish to repeat, and the thought of having to pack up this current home fills me with horror. There must be a foolproof method to packing up your possessions that minimises stress and breakages? Well that’s what I thought, so I did a bit of digging around and have a few ideas that might help.
Declutter and Organise:
If I was to pack up my current home the first thing I’d have to do is clear out the clutter. Moving is the ideal time, isn’t it, for sorting through exactly what you want and don’t want to keep. After all why would you pack and move items that you don’t really need? Take it room at a time and throw out the unwanted, send to the charity shops and pop it on Ebay. What you’re left with is an organised room, full of essential items all ready to go to your new home.
Label and List:
One of the most important systems I put in place during all of the moves that I’ve undertaken over the years is the one where I’ve labelled the boxes. As well as a description of the contents, it’s also important to label with the with destination room for the new home too. Then create a list of all the boxes and what they contain just in the case the labels come off or you can’t find a particular box when you arrive. All these little things help!
Friends and Family:
If you’re going to be doing the moving on the day yourself, it’s a very good idea to persuade as many members of your family and close friends to come and help you. Generally there’s quite a tight time slot in which you’ll need to vacate one house before the new owners turn up, and then of course you’ll need to empty the lorry and fill the new house, so do think about the number of people you’re going to need to ensure that happens on time.
Employ a Removal Company:
Now I’ve used removal companies on occasion and I’ve moved myself a few times too. I know exactly which one I’d do again! Paying a group of very nice people to shift your belongings for you is the best way to spend your money in my humble opinion. Having sweated, strained and exhausted my way through lifting washing machines, beds and wardrobes (never mind hundreds of boxes), employing a removal company such as ABC Movers and Storers to do that for you is the best thing you could do. Once we even had a removal company that came in and packed it all up for us too! Now that did cost a little more of course but again, it was money very well spent. Just remember to declutter and organise beforehand or you will be paying more.
Have Priorities:
Once you and your well labelled boxes are in it helps to have a list of priorities. This would be, in order, the tasks that now need to be completed so you can possibly eat, but more importantly, sleep. Knowing where you’ve packed the curtains and bedding is imperative, especially when you’ve got children and they need to go to bed. Setting up a minimal bedroom is essential and should be high on your priority list. Next think about needing access to kitchen gadgets and accessories. Make sure you fill the fridge and the freezer up again, if you emptied them before you moved, and that you know where the kettle is along with the food basics.
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Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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Last time we moved house j let the removal company empty everyhting in to our new garden before we had the key. It rained
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Gosh that doesn’t sound very pleasant!!
Well thats shows how unprofessional they are..!
Getting ready to start this process in the near future thanks for sharing.
Jen,
I detest the moving process. Nothing causes me more frustration than the packing and unpacking of things. It may be because I don’t put the proper time into preparing that causes me to rummage through box after box attempting to find a kitchen utensil in a box of underwear.
This post was so helpful and a joy to read. I sincerely believe you might have just saved a life. The stress of moving could’ve killed me. haha. Time to get out my label maker and permanent markers.
We moved from London to San Francisco. All went well until they were unpacking. The guy put the knife into our couch as he was unpacking. It was an expensive couch from Harrods in London. So one tip is to not think it’s over until everything is unpacked properly. Have an oversight at all times.
Great advice! As a moving business owner, I will refer my clients to this post when they request my services.
Moving is the one of the most painful things that we have to do sometimes. its really hard to manage the stress that comes along with this task. I found that getting an early start really helped so we are not rushing in the last few days. Planning is key!
Totally agree with labelling! It seems to be overlooked so often, but it can save you SOOOO much time in the long run! Everyone always spends so long filling the boxes or crates, but that last little bit gets overlooked. Think how much time you’ll save when you want to find that one thing at your new house without having to look back through every box. LABEL!! Too much labelling is better than not enough 🙂
Great advice here. Another great tip is to have a box that is differently colored and oddly shaped. Pack all your essentials you will need upon arrival in this box.
Organizing beforehand is so important. We end up moving so much junk just because people do not take the time to go through their stuff before they move. We have an organizer that we refer our clients to and the ones that use her to go through their stuff and organize it before the move end up with a much smoother process.
Great post! much more than just 5 tips! I’m so glad I found this Organised and Stress Free Info. Always wondered what I waited for so long when I could have gone this route. So happy to hear they(tips) are known for being a good and a reliable move!
This post really made me happy. Thanks!
Jen