9 Moving Tips to Keep You Organized

If you’re preparing to move into a new home, you may want to check out this list of 9 moving tips to keep you organized! There is a lot to keep track of on moving day. Not to mention, there is a lot of work to do leading up to moving day. So, let us ease some of that stress with some quick and easy moving tips. At Corcoran Classic Living, we want to make your home buying experience the best it can be, all the way through moving day.

1: Make a List

Make a moving checklist to help keep you organized throughout the entire process. Before you even pack your first box, write out a plan of action for each room. This will give you an idea of how much work there is to do and help you decide if you need to get help from a moving crew or friends. Making a list will also give you an idea of the packing materials you will need to get. Home Depot’s Moving Calculator will provide you with a list of items you’ll likely need based on your home, taking into account the layout, amount of rooms, and more.

2: Pack Ahead of Time

Packing up your home almost always takes longer than you expect. We recommend beginning as soon as possible. Start gradually by packing up the items you don’t often use or only seasonally, such as winter coats or kitchen appliances you won’t need for a while. Getting a head start will help you avoid burnout later on. The more time you give yourself, the easier the move will be.

3: Downsize & Declutter

Out of all of our moving tips, this is the one that will help you long into the future. There’s no better time than when you’re moving homes to reassess all your belongings and conduct a thorough declutter to downsize the items you have to bring with you. Reducing the amount of items you have will make moving much easier, especially if you can part with bulky items that you no longer use. It will also save you money by reducing the amount of boxes and other materials you’ll need. Bring three boxes labeled “keep,” “toss,” and “donate” throughout your home sort your belongings into the boxes accordingly. Carefully consider the items you have and try to be harsh; if you really don’t need the item, it will serve you well during move-in day to get rid of it.

4: Take “Before” Pictures of Your Home Setup

Before you start packing, take pictures of each room. If you especially love the furniture layout in one room, or how you’ve curated the wall décor, you’ll want to reference those pictures later. Photographs of your home before can provide inspiration on how to arrange your furniture in your new space.

5: Prep & Label Your Boxes

Before you start packing, make sure your boxes are ready to be filled and moved easily. Have a good supply of boxes on hand and in all different sizes. Small boxes are best for heavier items. Larger boxes should be saved for bulky yet lightweight items, such as pillows and comforters. Cut handles into boxes that will hold heavier items, as this will help you lift them later on. Better yet, find boxes with handles. Fragile and breakable items such as glasses should always be in cushioned boxes with a generous layer of bubble wrap. You can reinforce boxes by taping their bottoms thoroughly with packing tape before filling them. Make a note of the items in each box as you pack them and write a list on the side of the box. This will make it easier to unpack items in an organized manner once you’re moved in.

6: Secure Your Furniture

You don’t have to unpack every drawer in your home if you plan to move with the furniture you already have. As long as the items inside aren’t too heavy, you can simply secure the drawers of your furniture using tape or plastic wrap to keep everything inside. This way, you won’t have to unpack as much! This hack will also prevent drawers from falling open while they’re being transported. 

When moving, it’s easy to forget to protect the legs of furniture such as armchairs, sofas and wardrobes. Using old newspapers or bubble wrap, secure the arms of your furniture with tape. This will prevent them from being damaged during the move and will also help protect your new floors from scratches when furniture is moved into your home.

7: Keep Track by Creating an Inventory

It can be frustrating to spend the first few weeks in your new home searching for items that you can’t find, especially if you can’t remember packing them away. While packing up your belongings, keep an inventory of all the items you’re bringing with you. Group items that were packed together in the list by highlighting them in different colors to help you remember which boxes to inspect. Keeping an inventory will also help you keep track of everything you have so that you can ensure nothing goes missing during the moving process.

8: Make a Box of Essentials

The first few days in your new home are wonderful, but they can also be a bit stressful as it can be difficult to find the items you need amongst all the boxes. Fill a clear, plastic bin with all your essential items, such as paper towels, toiletries, a first-aid kit and crucial kitchen tools. You can also include basics such as toilet paper, trash bags, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, and chargers for any electronics. Some plates and cutlery will also be very useful in the first few days after the move. Remember to include any pet food that you may need for your pets. This should be the last box that goes into the van so that you can easily access your essential items.

9: Keep a Rubber Band Handy

This one may not fall under moving tips but rather it’s a great moving hack! When you’re moving all your boxes from home to home, you’ll be going in and out of the door constantly. Having to open your door every time you enter or exit your home can be very difficult when you have boxes to carry. If your door doesn’t have a latch and can’t stay open while you move in and out, hook a rubber band over both the front and back handles of your door and position the rubber band so that it keeps the latch down. This will allow you to move in and out of your home while hauling boxes without having to turn the door handle every time.

We hope these moving tips and hacks will make your moving day easier and less stressful! If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, Corcoran Classic Living is here to help. Check out our website to see our listings and to contact one of our expert agents in Athens.