10 Best Ways to Get Organized for a Big Move
Make your next move smooth, short and sweet with these tips for preparing, organizing and packing
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Whether you are going across town or across the country, moving an entire household can bring on meltdowns, even among the best of us. But by beginning the planning process as soon as you know you will be moving, you can minimize stress and increase the likelihood that everything will go smoothly on moving day and afterward. Read on for 10 sanity-saving ways to get ready for the big move.
Picture how you want your new home to feel. The best thing you can do to prepare for any move is to let go of excess belongings. Get motivated to clear clutter by viewing this as an opportunity to streamline your belongings and let go of stuff you have been wishing you could get rid of. Now is your chance!
When you are considering whether to keep an item, imagine packing it, physically carrying it from your old house to the new one and unpacking it. Is it worth the effort? How would it make you feel to see this item in your new home — if the answer is "weighted down," let that be your cue to let it go.
When you are considering whether to keep an item, imagine packing it, physically carrying it from your old house to the new one and unpacking it. Is it worth the effort? How would it make you feel to see this item in your new home — if the answer is "weighted down," let that be your cue to let it go.
Start with the virtual move. If you are not already in the habit of backing up your data, now is the time to invest in an external hard drive or sign up for an online data storage service. Knowing that your computer files and digital photos are safely backed up can take a huge weight off your shoulders.
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| Organize your cords now for easier setup later. Label each cord with the name of the device it goes to and you won't have to worry about searching for the one cord you need. For devices that have multiple cords, use colored dot stickers to label each cord and the hole it plugs into on the back of the device. Then when you go to reconnect it after the move, you can save yourself the frustration of figuring out what goes where. |
Gather important papers in a fireproof lock box. Like backing up computer files, saving important documents in a lock box is something that we all should be doing, whether or not a move is in the near future. Gather birth certificates, passports and other vital records and sensitive financial documents in your box. When moving day arrives, this box should come with you in your car (or put the contents of it in your carry-on bag if flying).
| Streamline DVD and CD collections. If you have a large movie or music collection, save yourself a few boxes by moving the discs into binder sleeves and discarding the cases. If you already have your music collection on your computer, consider getting rid of the CDs altogether. |
If you haven't used it in years, don't move it. Many items in our garages, attics and basements sit untouched and forgotten about for years on end — which raises the question, why are we holding onto this stuff? If you can't even remember the last time you wanted to use something, get rid of it. Once you've pared things down, items in the storage areas of your home can be packed and labeled for the move.
Use an easy labeling system. Try color-coding box labels depending on which room the box will go in, and then number each box. Keep a separate record with a list of the contents of each numbered box. Then when you are unpacking, you can simply check your master list to see which box you need. I've used the numbering system for several moves now, and it works like a charm.
Product pick: These color-coded labels are meant for cords, but they're also handy for labeling the tops and sides of your moving boxes.
Product pick: These color-coded labels are meant for cords, but they're also handy for labeling the tops and sides of your moving boxes.
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| Clear the outside zones. There is something really exhausting about having to tackle all of that outdoor stuff at the end of the packing process, yet for some reason this is often the last area to be packed up. Make things a bit easier by giving the outdoor areas of your home a walk-through now, pulling aside anything that's junky, broken or will not be needed at the new place. |
Stay organized with a moving binder. Info from your moving or truck rental company, to-do lists, your master packing list and a zip-top bag with memory sticks or other computer data backup can all be stashed inside. Closer to your move date, tuck in a folder with current bills, stamps and your checkbook. Make sure you keep this binder with you at all times during the move.
For long-distance moves, you may also want to include flight information and vaccination records if you are traveling with pets.
For long-distance moves, you may also want to include flight information and vaccination records if you are traveling with pets.
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| Start a stash of essentials. There is nothing worse than arriving at your new house and having to scramble to find basics like toilet paper, pajamas and coffee for the morning. Pick a spot to begin collecting all of those little items you will want access to right away when you move (a cleaned-out cupboard works nicely) so you can organize your essentials even as you are still using them. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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Ideabook updated on June 29, 2012.
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Marie Meko
Move the yard sale boxes and donation items to a room near the front door or to a garage. Most pick up charities will only pick up curb side, so you will be that much closer to getting the items out of the house.
After you have gone through all the rooms get your yard sale scheduled. Have fun on the day, get rid of more stuff and make some money! If you schedule this correctly you can add the unsold yard sale stuff to the charity pick up and get ride of it all in one pickup.
After this major clean up you will not only feel better but you will be able to clearly see what you need to move. Hire a Pod or PACK RAT, if you have a place for it so that you can pack yourself relatively inexpensively. These movable units can be moved directly to your new residence or moved into secure storage facilities until you are ready to accept delivery. You may need to hire a moving company to move your furniture or large pieces you are unable to move yourself. Most moving companies charge around $150/per hour, so whatever you can move yourself will be a saving.
Schedule your movers after your home inspection is completed and you have a P&S is hand but start the clean out before, even before you put your home on the market. It will show better and you will be that much closer to your goal.
Pack yourself a suit case, as if you are going on vacation, with all your personal thing so that you can move into your new location and have everything you need. Go out in the morning for breakfast or walk to your new coffee shop for coffee - you earned! Now that you are in your new place you will probably want to unpack your computer and TV and get that set up quickly, after all we really need these things - the rest - take your time and don't stress. Do a few boxes a day, the job will get done and you will be happier.
Best of luck - moving is a drag but this too shall end!
If you are being packed by the moving company, know that they will pack an empty cola can and a wafer of soap in a box the size of a golden retriever cage. Your best friend through the entire process is a dumpster and trash bags. You must comb your house, and every drawer and cubby for the unnecessary. The OUT list includes:
KITCHEN:
scorched and burned pots and pans
raggedy stained dishtowels
mismatched mugs with sayings on them
cheap and burned/stained cooking utensils
food items three quarters used
cookbooks you never use
consolidate your cleaning products, toss the mostly gone
Den/office
paperback books unless you can't live without them
IF YOU STILL have VCR tapes......tata
Basement:
If it is going from one basement to another....and you haven't looked
or opened the box from the LAST move...seriously??
GARAGE:
DEAL with the old paint and environmentally unfriendly WELL in advance, as disposing of these items often requires an appointment.
BATHROOMS
You must face the drawers and under that sink! Can it really
take that much stuff to make you clean and attractive? Probably not.
LINEN CLOSETS
MISMATCHED SHEETS!
STRINGY TOWELS
STAINED PILLOWS
STALE MEDICINES
I think you get the idea! It is not the furniture that makes moving daunting. It is the stuff in boxes. If it has to go in a box... make certain it is something you need, and want. Really really sure.
As a psychologist, I have an interest in hoarding (it is a bit personal too).
Giving away large pieces of furniture is therapeutic.
The stress is my husband. He loves his wigets-wagets-gadgets tools and "stuff"!!! He is very handy; has a very success track record @ "Macgivering." I disposed of lots of his stuff which he didn't know about and some stuff he found out I accidently got rid of. I admitt...I couldn't part with some stuff either---Hence the 60+ boxes.
We just sold our cozy cape and started packing again. Going thru every room, closet, draw!!!
I am thinking >>>> what is in ALL THOSE BOXES that i did not open or need for the last 2 1/2 years and now awaiting me to unpack in my beautiful modern green sustainable house?
The good news is that I am moving very little out of the cape. Will sell it to new owners or neighbors or just give it away!!!
A garage sale may be in my near future if I can rally. I do have storage for the boxes in the new house and will deal with it then.
It's a journey! Do the best you can with the things and people you need to move.
Pam
I also just helped another friend do a pack out for a move from USA to Japan (military) and we did cleaning of items and packing in 3 days. Exhausting but, if you organize your items into groups it's SO much easier.
Helping clients get organized and adopt to Clutter-FREE lifestyle is my mission. CLUTTER effects every aspect of our everyday life and creates chaos and frustration. So, be charitable, donate no longer needed 'stuff' to the needy and let things from your past become a part of someone's future.
For more info, before/after photos and client testimonials visit:
www.amazingbeingconsult.com
1. Remove the drawers from kitchen, bathroom, dressers, any furniture, etc. Stack into vehicle and take it over to the new place the day before the big move. Having a van is very helpful, but if you don't have one, solicit the help of friends and family. This way you can transfer whatever is in the drawers straight into the kitchen and bathroom drawers at the new place. The drawers from furniture and desks can be stacked out of the way and simply popped back into the furniture once delivered. I'll cover the top drawers with bath towels. It serves a dual purpose. It prevents stuff from spilling out during the drive over and I have the towels ready in bathroom to use.
2. Likewise, use a sturdy broomstick and load hangers with clothing onto it. You'll need two people to carry the 'clothes rack' to a vehicle. Simply lay it all down, stick and all, in trunk or back of car (take out or flatten the seats in the vehicle or back of pickup). Upon arrival at the new home, carry into the home and hang right back into closets.
3. On the day of the move, make your bed as usual. I usually put on clean linen a day or two before the move. Then pull the fiited sheets up and over the cover/duvet/quilt/blankets etc and pillows and roll up in neat 'package'. Be sure to load in the car before movers arrive. This way, each bed will have everything it needs to be made up, all together and ready to go straight back on mattress once delivered.
4. In the pre-move, take a bucket with basic cleaning supplies, papertowel, black garbage bags and few plastic grocery bags, Kleenex, dishwashing soap and towels, hand soap and hand towel, disposable cups and cutlery & paper plates to use for the first couple meals so you don't have to worry about cleaning dishes while trying to settle.
5. I always try to move and possibly set up the kitchen the day before the move. Moving the dishes and plates are a breeze if you stack and wrap them well with plastic wrap, such as Saran Wrap. Don't skimp. The more you use, the sturdier the wrapping will be and less the chance of breakage. I bought bulk sized plastic wrap at Staples. If you have lots of serviettes/napkins, place one between the plates for extra protectetion if required. Transfer in Rubbermaid containers/laundry baskets. No need to box up. But even if you want to put it into boxes, this method can work too. The plastic wrap can simply be removed without having to wash all the dishes, since it doesn't make the plates dirty the way newspaper would.
And they will be displayed in the new house, in the built-in glass-fronted cabinets, either blu-tacked or on sticky mats to keep them in place next time there is a decent rumble.
I have been trying to downsize and de-clutter since Sept 2010, but this site provides further motivation to get on with it.
Zoesharona: That is a good idea to give things to a pack rat or avid up-cycler, although my pack rat friend and (ex) neighbor got in first and did it to me last year! We said no to lots but she snuck some things in.
If you are going long distance crate special pieces that can't be replaced and point out the valuables... If you have original TV boxes so much the better!
Tape keys of cupboards to the back of the unit with duct tape, put screws and fittings for items that have to be disassembled in a ziplock bag labelled and taped on, so they can be identified and not lost!
Also, get good insurance for long distance moves if you can - being able to replace broken items takes a weight off your mind.
We have moved overseas, internationally and locally even to the point where we moved to one house by ourselves with a dolly/trolley it was so close! (not that I would ever do that again!)
I would say enjoy it, there really isn't anything to be worried about if you have planned well, all your things will make it from one house to the other... and definitely use it as an opportunity to de-clutter!