There’s no doubt that moving from one home to another can be stressful!
Between packing boxes, organizing the movers, cancelling utilities, and so much more, you’re more than likely to have your hands full.
But with a few organizational and planning tips, it’s possible to plan and execute a flawless move!
To help you with your next move, we’ve rounded up a few simple tips to make it seamless and stress-free:
Moving Tip #1: Start Packing Early!
One of the best ways to ensure an easy and stress-free move is to start packing as early as possible.
This is especially the case if you have a busy family or have little free time – your moving day will catch up to you in no time!
So how early should you start packing for a move?
There’s no hard-and-fast-rule, but most experts agree that you should start as soon as the move is confirmed – especially since packing always takes longer than expected!
It’s also a good idea to “partition” your home and tackle each room individually rather than doing everything at once.
You may also want to start with your basement, attic, garage, and closets. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to separate things as you go, sorting unwanted items into either a “toss,” “recycle,” or “donate” pile.
Not only will this leave you with extra time (that you’ll need!) closer to the moving date, it will allow you to feel less stressed about packing in time.
Moving Tip #2: Create a Master To-Do List
The process of moving from one home to another involves so many moving parts.
Between packing boxes, cancelling utilities, and booking movers, it’s important to write everything down so that nothing is forgotten. Not only will this make the moving process less stressful, but it will help you stay on track and focused!
To-do lists can be done in so many ways! It really depends on what works for you. Some people prefer tech solutions like Wunderlist, while others prefer the old-school paper and pencil system.
Both options work! But the most important thing to remember when building-out your to-do list is that no detail is insignificant. You’ll thank yourself for the little details when you’re trying to find that TV remote, or trying to remember when you were supposed to return your cable box.
Write it all down!
It’s also best to keep adding to the list as you go and if you’re moving with others, make them a copy to keep everyone on track.
Moving Tip #3: Sort Items by Category
Organizing your belongings by category can make things a lot easier when you’re trying to unpack.
We recommend carefully sorting items into specific categories, such as “kitchen pantry” or “bathroom items” – this will help you (or your movers) keep track of where to place your boxes when unpacking the truck.
When packing, you should also be putting aside items that are fragile. This way, you can pack those items extra carefully, for example, by lining the inside of the box with bubble wrap or packing peanuts, or by individually wrapping each item with bubble wrap. And don’t forget to write “fragile” on the boxes so your movers take extra care with them.
Another packing tip is to set essential items aside such as any medicines, toys for the kids, or important documents.
Moving Tip #4: Get Rid of the Old & Donate Items
Like we mentioned earlier, moving homes is one of the best opportunities to get rid of old and unnecessary items around your house!
You’re already sorting and organizing all your things, so why not get rid of the stuff you don’t need or use anymore?
Try to be as ruthless as possible – get rid of those old magazines, clothes you no longer wear, old furniture, you name it!
After you sort through your belongings, put aside the items you want to donate, and items to toss altogether. Not only will it feel great to get rid of things you don’t use anymore, but your new home will also feel much less cluttered!
If you're donating clothing, accessories, small appliances, kitchenware, and small furniture items, it’s a good idea to contact your local charities. And if you’re donating large appliances, housewares, furniture, or building materials, donate to your local Habitat ReStore.
Moving Tip #5: Use the Right Sized Boxes
The last thing you want is for your carefully packed boxes to fall apart because they’re too heavy! Not only is this a headache, but over-packed boxes can also pose a risk for injury to you or your movers.
When large boxes are over-packed with heavy items, it can make them dangerously heavy that can make the moving process much more difficult.
So when packing your things, it’s important to put heavy items, such as books and kitchenware, in smaller boxes, and lighter items such as towels and pillows, in larger boxes.
Also, when buying boxes for your home, it’s really important to specifically buy packing boxes. You can find them at your local hardware store or from your preferred moving company.
And if you opt for the free boxes found at the supermarket, avoid putting anything heavy in them because they aren't designed for durability and longevity. Better safe than sorry!
Moving Tip: #6: Label Your Boxes
Labeling your boxes is a MUST!
The last thing you want is to be looking for a specific item and have no idea where to start looking for it – a true nightmare!
When labeling your boxes, try to be as specific as possible. This means following a labeling system that includes the room the box belongs in, the main contents of the box, and whether or not it’s fragile.
While it might not seem important at the moment, you’ll thank yourself when you’re looking for that screwdriver or favorite coffee mug.
Moving Tip: #7: Don’t Forget Your Tech Products
With some products being installed into your home or plugged in, it can be easy to forget them behind.
So when you’re making your master to-do list, make sure to add all your electronics and home devices to the list.
If you do have Notion Sensors installed in your home, make sure to uninstall, pack them carefully with the fragile items, and reinstall them in your new home.
If you need additional assistance reinstalling your Notion Sensor, check out our tutorial on how to install your Notion Sensor.
When you get to your new home, evaluate your new space and how many Notion Sensors you'll need. You may need to purchase a Notion Expansion Kit if your home has extra square footage, doors, bedrooms, or bathrooms.
And, if you want another layer of security, you can upgrade your system to Notion PRO. Get additional notifications: push notifications, group texts, and phone calls so you don’t have to miss a notification while you're traveling, sleeping or just busy.
Moving Tip: #8: Book the Movers
The last thing you want is to be all packed up, ready to move, but find out that no movers are available.
Luckily, this can easily be avoided by booking early!
As soon as you’ve confirmed your move day, book the movers immediately. This will help you avoid any stress around trying to find a moving truck at the last minute or trying to rally some friends.
This also goes for other moving-related services such as cleaners, painters, and supply rentals. These services can get booked up quickly at this time of the year, so it’s important to book anything moving-related as soon as possible.
Moving Tip: #9: Protect Your Valuables
When you’re packing up your belongings, it’s very important to carefully protect your valuables. Moving valuables from one place to another always involves some level of risk, so it’s important to be diligent and extra careful.
First thing first, make sure your designated movers are experienced and have good reviews. The last thing you want is something to get damaged during the move.
Next up, before you pack your valuables, make sure to take inventory with photos. In the case that something does go wrong, you’ll have visual proof.
And while it’s very important to carefully label your boxes, you may want to be more conspicuous with your valuables. Avoid labels such as “jewelry box” and consider placing your valuables in smaller boxes so they can go on top of the load.
Of course, this also means wrapping anything breakable with bubble wrap, newspaper or styrofoam filling. You can get these items at your local hardware shop.
Moving Tip: #10: Use Storage Bins for Seasonal Items
If you don’t already store your seasonal items in separate bins, now is the perfect opportunity to pack them accordingly.
This way, once you’re moving in, you can easily place them straight in the basement or storage and only take them out when you need them.
Some examples include your holiday decorations, seasonal sweaters, and beach toys – these can all be stored away until you need them.
Pro Tip: Use clear plastic bins so that you can see exactly what’s inside!
Moving Tip: #11: Schedule Utilities for Your New Home
Once you have your dates finalized, it’s important to make sure you contact your utility providers to set up accounts at your new home.
The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home and realize the water, heat, or electricity is off.
So when you are cancelling your current home’s utilities, put a reminder in your calendar to schedule your new home’s utilities.
While you’re setting this up, it could also be a good opportunity to schedule any other maintenance services such as a furnace tune-up.
Moving Tip: #12: Keep Your Essentials with You
With everything packed in boxes, it’s important to make an ‘essentials bag’ that includes everything you’ll need the night before the move.
This could include a change of clothes, a toothbrush, medications, paperwork, or must-have toys for the kids.
This can be especially helpful if the moving truck gets delayed or an emergency happens – at least you’ll have some essentials to fall back on.
Happy moving! We hope you learned a few tips to make your move as easy as possible!
