Home Moving Tips.

They say that the three most stressful events in life are divorce, the death of a loved one, and moving house. After recently going through the process of downsizing and moving myself- I can absolutely understand this quote.

However, I did set some strategies in place which made it a lot easier, and I am so thankful for that. The most stressful parts of the move were definitely experienced when we didn’t follow the strategies I had designed for us.

If you’re about to move house, here’s my top tips for a smooth process.

Declutter.
Obviously I was going to say this, right? Seriously though, it’s my best tip.  Every item takes up space, weight, and mental and physical energy. Is it really WORTH packing, moving and unpacking that item?
Well before its time to move, jettison the items that have simply accumulated in your home. Because very soon, every single item you touch has to earn its place to be moved.

Book a pickup.
If you are donating furniture or larger items, local charity stores can usually pick up. Have a designated room set aside for donations,  and put everything you’ve decluttered ready to go with the furniture. Save yourself one trip into town.

Start the process early.
Pack up out-of-season items, such as winter gear or Christmas décor. Have a declutter a few weeks or even months out. Having a few boxes packed and ready to go will help you feel so much more organised and prepared as you come into the process.

Categorise.
Group items by theme, category and room as much as you can before and as you pack. I unpacked a whole house that had been hurriedly packed by professional movers and it took me a lot longer than it might have, as kitchenware was boxed up with bedroom items and the office printer.
The last few boxes you pack in the house WILL be filled with super random items, and they’re always such a pain, you find yourself cursing your past self or the person that packed it.

Buy quality moving resources.
Good quality boxes and tape will make your move easier. Buy boxes that fit like LEGO.
Some of the Mitre 10 box range are good for this.
Boxes that fit two smaller on top of one large make stacking safer, tidier and make the most of your storage or vehicle space.
You can buy good quality boxes from Kennard’s Storage- and sell them back once you’re done with them. Genius right? You get to use a good quality item at a lower cost, and no hassle having to dispose of boxes post move. Alternatively- you can buy the second hand boxes from them too.
Buy at least two cheap boxcutters/ craft knives for unpacking.

Colour code each room, or destination.
Oh this strategy saved my sanity! We had items going into storage; to Dad’s new house; to be donated; - you get the idea.  Colour code each box, and set up a ‘key’ at your new home where everyone can see clearly. This limits questions and confusion for everyone! You might like to colour code bedrooms if you’re a family, or using professional movers.

Pack a last out- first in box.
Scissors, Allen key, a set of fresh bedding, medication, phone charger, can opener, cutlery, dishwashing liquid, toiletries, toilet paper and some basic cleaning items. It seems simple- but you’ll be tired on that last night in your old home, and the first night in the new home. Desperately rustling through boxes is the last thing you’ll want to be doing.

Use post-it notes to label your boxes.
I used large coloured ‘Post-its’ that correlated with the destination key, and wrote detailed lists of what was in the box. I labelled on two sides and the top. You can then peel the labels off and resell or re use your boxes. It keeps them tidy and saves you scribbling out your personal information once you’re done with the box.

 Label your boxes with as much detail as possible.
You think you’ll remember the contents of your bedside table, and that labelling it as such is satisfactory. Future you will curse this oversight. Label it all so you don’t have to rip through random boxes trying to find one item!

Outsource it.
Consider your time, and your energy. I got a local cleaning company in to clean our ceilings, and it was the best investment ever. They did a great job, and I saved my back! Hire some muscle to do the heavy lifting, or rally friends around. Hire a Professional Organiser to help you pack and unpack- we have the energy and knowledge to set up those great systems in your new home from day one.

Good luck, and I hope these tips help you to have a smooth moving process!