If you’re moving into your first home, it can feel like a huge task. But with a little planning and prep, you can start to make your new house feel like your own.
Begin to declutter and donate items that you don’t use anymore. This will help you keep your new place tidy. It will also save you time and money on the move.
Organize
Whether you are moving to a new apartment, townhouse, condo or single family home, there are many things you can do to make the process run smoothly. One of the most important is to organize your belongings, as well as your schedule.
A good place to start is by putting together a list of everything you need to do, then breaking it down into daily tasks. This will help you stay on top of things and ensure that nothing gets forgotten.
For example, don’t forget to call your cable and internet service providers a week or so before your move. This will help you figure out when they’ll shut off your services and allow you to gather any cords or remotes that need to be returned.
Also, put together a packing checklist for your items, and use it to keep track of the boxes you’ve packed so far. This will save you time and energy later on when unpacking and making sure that everything arrives at the right place, says professional organizer Anna Bauer.
Finally, create an itemized list of your items, and label each box in order to make it easier to find items later on. This is especially useful if you have items like large appliances that will require special packaging.
As you are packing, be sure to use the right supplies to protect your items, and make sure that they’re not damaged in the process. Sturdy tape, quilted blankets and bubble wrap are great for protecting delicate items such as TVs.
Organizing your home can seem overwhelming at first, but it’s actually a relatively simple process once you know what to do. You’ll need to think of ways to maximize the space in each room, and you may have to throw away some old stuff along the way.
The key to a successful home move is having a solid plan in place, and implementing it. A well-planned home move can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you’ll have as a homeowner.
Packing
If you’re moving out of your home, packing is an essential part of the process. It’s a great way to get rid of clutter and save time on your move. The key is to get organized and do it in a systematic manner, which will make the entire process go more smoothly.
Start by making an inventory of the items you plan to take with you and organize them by room, common function or use. This will help you pack faster and keep track of valuable possessions throughout the process.
Don’t forget to label each box clearly with a number and where it should be placed in your new home so that you can quickly locate the item you need when you arrive. This will also help you minimize the amount of time spent rummaging through boxes on moving day.
You can also sort the contents of your household into three categories: “Keep”, “Throw” and “Donate”. This will help you get rid of items you don’t need or that no longer have a use for.
Once you have completed this step, you can start packing away your belongings one room at a time. You may want to do this weeks or months in advance of the move to give you plenty of time to get the job done.
When you’re ready to pack, consider using blankets and bubble wrap to cushion your delicate items. This will prevent them from getting scratched during the packing process and will make it easier to unpack them in your new home.
If you have a lot of large furniture, such as bookshelves and desks, consider placing them in a closet or other storage area for the duration of the move. This will also help you keep them from getting damaged in transit, as it’s much easier to pack up a room or closet than it is a whole house full of boxes.
For smaller items, you can pack them in a box or two with some packing material such as newspaper or bubble wrap. This will keep them from slipping or breaking during transport and will make it easier to find them when you get to your new home.
Another good idea is to group clothes by five or six hangers and then wrap each one in a large garbage bag or wardrobe box. This will help you get a better idea of how many boxes you’ll need for your entire wardrobe, which makes it easy to figure out where to put everything when you’re unpacking the first time.
You should also think about packing any clothes that don’t fit in your wardrobe but still need to be worn, such as swimsuits and lingerie. This will be easier to do if you can pack them in a suitcase that you’ll bring with you on the move or that you can take on the plane or in the truck cab.
Moving Day
A home move can be a big, exciting time. But it can also be stressful if you are not properly prepared. Having a checklist can help you make the most of your moving day and avoid any last-minute stress or mistakes.
Start a few weeks in advance by making an inventory of all your belongings. This will help you organize your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or sell. It can also give you an idea of how much you have to pack. Once you have your list, you can begin packing.
One of the most important things you can do before your move is to clean out your old home. This will allow you to pack all your remaining possessions in an organized manner and ensure that everything will be easy for the movers.
Before you start packing, take your time and carefully go through each room. Make sure you check the closets, cabinets and storage spaces. This will allow you to find items that may have been lost.
You can do this on your own or with the help of friends and family members. Be sure to give them special instructions and make sure they have everything they need to complete the task.
If you are planning to hire a moving company, ask them to come and do a walk-through of your home to help you load it up. It will save you time and money if they can do this for you.
Once they have gone through the house, they will give you a list of all the boxes and other things that need to be packed. They will also let you know where all your valuables are stored so that you don’t lose them.
Next, you should call your utility providers to let them know that you are moving and to change the address of your services. You should also notify your insurance provider and your bank.
This will make it easier for you to transfer your insurance and utilities from your current address to your new one. It will also allow them to cancel your existing service and provide you with a new bill.
In addition, you should contact your local grocery store and pharmacy to arrange delivery of any necessary items. It is best to do this at least a week in advance of your move so that you can get them delivered on time.
It is also a good idea to notify your doctor about the move. They may be able to send you medical records and other documents that you will need in your new home.
Lastly, it is important to make arrangements for any pets you have at home. It is always a good idea to have your pet’s records transferred to the new location as well, so that they can be registered and insured in their new home.