10 Easy Moving Tips
April 20, 2022Whether you are moving down the street or across the continent, moving can be an exhausting and daunting task. It can be hard to decide how to organize your stuff, what to discard, and how to pack your belongings safely and securely.
When you move into your Graham Hart home, we want to make sure you have an easy moving experience. Here are some tips to follow when you are packing up your belongings for the long haul!
- Discard Unnecessary Belongings
Go through your clothing, electronics, and other belongings and discard or donate what you haven’t used in a while. A good rule of thumb is to discard anything you haven’t used in the past five years. Cutting down on clutter will help make the packing process much easier, and a little less overwhelming. Take your old clothing, furniture, and other usable supplies to your nearest thrift store or donation center. You’ll be surprised by how much you can donate!
- Pack in Advance
Generally, you know you are moving out of your home weeks or months in advance. You don’t have to wait the week before to pack everything! Start packing your out of season items and décor. Fold your chunky knits and coats now so you have less to worry about later. Pro tip, if you want to maximize your space, you can vacuum seal your clothing.
- Keep Your Essentials in an Overnight Bag
When packing, it can be easy to forget that you need some of your items for everyday use! Pack an overnight bag that has a spare set of clothing and your necessary toiletries for the move. Important items to remember are a car charger, lip balm, deodorant, socks, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
- Do You Have the Right Packing Supplies?
Having to make a quick run to the store for more packing tape or moving boxes can delay your moving schedule. Make sure you have all the right supplies a couple days prior to packing. This will help you pack in a quick and efficient manner. Pro tip, check your local community Facebook or Nextdoor to see if anyone is getting rid of their moving supplies. It could save you a pretty penny!
- Pack Your Heaviest Boxes First
Make sure to pack your heavy boxes first! It is important to have your heavy belongings at the bottom so light items are not crushed during the move. Ensuring your boxes are secure will save you from a future headache!
- Label EVERYTHING!
When in doubt, label. Number each box and write a brief description of its contents. If you want to get fancy, you can color code the numbers in correspondence with their intended rooms or write which room it will go in. Here is an example: “Box #20, Living Room: DVDs, CDs, PS4, Wii.” This will make sure you don’t leave any boxes at your prior residence and quicken the unloading and unpacking process. You’ll know exactly where each box goes in your new home, without the hassle of opening the boxes before they reach their intended location!
- Pack What You Will Need FIRST in a Clear Bin
What will you need first when moving in? Pack those last in an easily accessible bin. If you want to take a quick shower after the long haul, make sure your bath supplies aren’t buried underneath your sea of belongings. Pack what you want to use first, last so it is convenient to access.
- Wrap Fragile Belongings in Bubble Wrap
Imagine opening a box to only have your favorite dishware broken in pieces. Insert napkins in between each plate and make sure your glassware has some sort of protection, like bubble wrap. Clean socks are also a great way to protect champagne flutes or wine glasses.
- Cover Liquid Items with Saran Wrap
Packing a lot of beauty supplies? Make sure your cleansers, foundations, and other liquids have plastic wrap around the cover of the packaging. You don’t want anything leaking in your car or your rental! Pro tip, if you want to be double sure your liquids are protected, pack them in a hard sided container.
- Remember to Change Your Address
This may seem like an obvious step, but you may forget to change your address for certain subscriptions. Make sure your billing address for Netflix, Amazon, and other retailers is changed at least two weeks in advance to your move. The USPS has a change of address service that conveniently forwards your mail to your new address. You can access this handy tool here.
Now that you have a few tips for moving, watch your packing experience change from one of dread to efficiency and ease. With proper preparation, your Graham Hart home will be unpacked any ready to go in no time!