Preparing For A Move

When preparing for a move, boxing up your belongings and deciding what to pack first can feel overwhelming! Think about every single thing in your cabinets and closets, attic, basement, garage, and storage units. Your house holds more than you realize, and packing all of those items in boxes is going to take some time. Whether you are downsizing, empty nesters, or transitioning into senior living, as soon as you have made the decision you are going to move is when you begin planning so you will be ready on move day!

If you’re selling your home, there is a good chance your realtor will ask you to clear the clutter to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.  Regardless, this is a great time to get rid of the things you no longer use or need. Discarding unneeded larger items will give you extra space to sort through the smaller stuff. Think about your “future” self when going through your stuff.  How do you plan to spend your time after the move? If you are downsizing, keep in mind your space will be more limited. Focus on what matters most and only take items that add value! It will also save you money because there will be less to pack and move!

Storage Units? It is ok to use a temporary storage unit while you are figuring things out and until you get settled into your new home.

Create a timeline to hire movers (unless you have some GOOD friends who will help). Arrange for utility transfers or disconnections for your old and new residences ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition.

Begin gathering packing supplies: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper.

Moving to a new home is an exciting time but knowing what to pack first when and following a packing plan will help to make your move much smoother. Think about anything that won’t be needed during the time you’re packing and moving, especially large items.  Consider what you are putting in each box to determine the size of box to use so it will not be too heavy to lift. 

Pack room by room, labeling boxes with their contents and the room they belong to. Pack heavier items at the bottom and fragile items with ample padding. Consider using color-coded labels or a numbering system to make unpacking easier.

Take Photos of Electronics: Before disconnecting electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and stereo systems, take photos of the connections to use as reference when setting them up in your new home.

Make arrangements for pets and plants during the move. Consider boarding pets or arranging for a pet sitter on moving day and take special care to transport plants safely to minimize stress and damage.

Final Walkthrough: Conduct a final walkthrough of your old home before leaving, checking all rooms, closets, and storage spaces to ensure nothing is left behind.

By following these tips and staying organized, you can make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.

TIMELINE FOR PACKING

 Start With the Stuff in Storage  (5+ Weeks Out).   PURGE PURGE PURGE!!

If you’re not currently using them and haven’t used them in years, you likely won’t need them between now and your moving date, if at all. This may be a great place to think about donating to those less fortunate if you will not need the item in your new place.

Move to Out-of-Season Clothes  (4-5 Weeks Out).

The same principle applies for out-of-season clothing. Unless your move is months and months away (or in a totally different climate), think about the weather and pack up the pieces that you won’t need until the temperatures shift. If you’re packing up a lot of bulky sweaters and puffy coats, use vacuum-sealed storage bags to take up less space in your boxes, suitcases, or drawers. Consider rolling your clothes so they take up the least amount of space inside your moving boxes.

Wrap Up the Fragile Items (3-4 Weeks Out).

Now is a great time to start carefully wrapping your fine China, crystal, silver, and other pieces that aren’t for daily use. Remember to label each fragile box clearly so anyone moving or handling the boxes knows to handle them with care.

If you’re loading fragile boxes, they should be in a snug space where they won’t be crushed from the top or sides. 

 Pack Up the Guest Bedroom (3 Weeks Out).

Guest bedrooms don’t get a lot of regular use, so chances are, you can pack up these rooms. If you have a guest bedroom rug, go ahead and roll it up, then secure it with plastic wrap.

If your guest room dressers are sturdy and have available drawer space, use them to store your out-of-season clothing items. Remove the drawers and secure them with stretch wrap to keep things from falling out.

 Box Up the Books, Artwork, and Decor (2-3 Weeks Out).

Artwork, books (except for the one you may be currently reading), and home decor are nice to look at, but they’re not vital to everyday life. Pack books into smaller containers, so you can lift them more easily.

Load Up the Linens (2 Weeks Out).

Keep one set of sheets for the beds people are sleeping in until the night before the move, but pack up the extra linens, towels, and blankets two weeks ahead of time. If you have extra linens that aren’t needed during your packing timeline, you can use them as padding in other boxes.

Tackle the Toy Box (1-2 Weeks Out).

For those with kids, or adults with specific hobbies, now is the time to go through those toy boxes and storage bins to figure out what’s moving and what can be sold, donated, or tossed. Your kids may not like the idea of their toys being packed up, but you’d be surprised how much they actually won’t miss. It is often helpful to pack up the toys while the kids are away. You’re the best decision-maker about what stays out and what goes!

 Store the Shoes, Jewelry, and Clothes (1 Week Out).

A week before the move, pack up your clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Consider wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes.  Set aside two suitcases or clear bins: one for the things you’ll need the week before your move and one for the clothing and toiletries you’ll need for the week after.

 A tip for packing shoes: Throwing them into boxes can cause bending and damage. Instead, wrap them in packing paper and place in boxes, or put some bubble cushioning roll in between pairs for extra protection.

 To keep your jewelry organized and knot-free, hang bracelets to keep them together, and string necklaces through paper straws to prevent chain tangles. Smaller items, like earrings, can go inside a pill box or tackle box.  Irreplaceable or sentimental items may be best to keep with you during the move process.

Leave the Kitchen for Last (2-3 Days Out).

If there are items in the kitchen you’re not using every day, go ahead and pack them up a week or so before your move. Often, the kitchen is the most difficult room to pack, and the room people leave for last, since it’s being used right up until moving day. This is not an easy room to pack. It’s imperative that you clean out the cabinets, declutter the drawers, and purge the pantry. Think about how much weight all of those canned goods will amount to if you choose to pack and move them all. Consider donating them to a food shelter instead.

Once the purging is done, fill a box with only the items you’ll need for the first few days in your new home. This could be a few dishes, cups, utensils, dish rags, and soap and the coffee maker for a shot of caffeine. The rest of the items can be packed in their own boxes. Keep “like categories” together, dishes, pots and pans, utensils and cooking tools, pantry items, and so on. 

What are the last things to pack when moving?
The very last things should be the things you’ll need right up until moving day. Pack a separate box or bag with essential items you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, important documents, electronics and chargers, snacks, and basic tools. Think about what you’d pack if you were going on a two-day trip.

We understand move preparation can be an emotional and stressful process. EZ Declutter Solutions is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. We can handle all the details and plan the entire move, so you won’t have to, from decluttering, packing, unpacking, removing unwanted items, to setting up new systems in your new home so it is functional from day 1.