Are you moving soon?
Whether you're relocating due to the pandemic, new work, college, or personal reasons, it's no secret that moving is no easy task. Packing takes time and the actual day of moving can get quite chaotic.
Fortunately, you can make it a lot easier with a few moving hacks. Read our guide right here to learn more.
Jump to:
- 1. The Marie Kondo Method
- 2. Have a Checklist
- 3. Color and Label
- 4. Take Photographs
- 5. Yes, Use a Tracker
- 6. Containers Within Containers
- 7. Bundle up Fragile Items
- 8. Schedule Days for Packing
- 9. Hire Professional Movers
- 10. Bring Essential Gadgets With You
- 11. Keep Kids and Pets Busy
- Try Out These Moving Hacks
1. The Marie Kondo Method
If you need tips to make your move easier, you can't go wrong with the KonMari method. She popularized this method in her show Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.
How does this method work?
Take your items and hold them for a minute. Do they spark genuine joy? If they do, keep them and pack them.
But if they don't, put them away. Now take the items that don't spark joy and decide whether to sell them, recycle them, or donate them.
What about items that don't spark joy but have strong sentimental value? Take a photo of the item and keep the photo, but get rid of the item itself.
2. Have a Checklist
One of the most crucial moving hacks is to have a checklist of everything. Have a checklist for every item in each of your piles, for every item in every box, and for every item from every room.
Have a checklist for all your boxes too. You should know how many boxes you have in total.
3. Color and Label
Perhaps one of the best moving tips is to color code and label your boxes. Got a box containing all the books from your daughter's bedroom? Label it with a pink sticker.
Repeat this process for every box and bag you have. Now it'll be easier to find items from the study or the kitchen because you simply have to check the labels or colored stickers.
4. Take Photographs
Yes, before you seal the boxes, make it a habit to take a photograph of every item that goes inside them. This is a precautionary step to ensure you have proof of your belongings.
In case something breaks or gets lost during the move, you'll have evidence that they were there and in good shape when you packed them.
5. Yes, Use a Tracker
Do you have a box with important items? Include a luggage tracker in the box. These are often inexpensive and easy to use.
If you don't have one or if you want to be a bit more intricate, pack an iPad or phone in the box. These can use apps to help you monitor their location in real-time. Now you can check where the movers and all your items are simply by checking the app on your phone.
6. Containers Within Containers
If you have a bunch of small items, place them into a tiny container. For example, you can fit a bunch of pins and buttons into a small jar. Now take that container and place it snug into another container, like a box or luggage.
Doing this ensures all the small items don't get lost and are easy to track.
7. Bundle up Fragile Items
Don't keep fragile items like plates and mugs in a box with too much space left inside. Bundle them up to prevent them from jostling around and breaking.
Wrap plates and other similar items with a cloth or shirt. Fill the spaces of the box with clothes, paper, or soft foam.
For fragile electronic items, it's best to keep them wrapped in towels. For example, if you have a tablet, try to keep it in a proper carrying case, and then wrap that in a towel.
8. Schedule Days for Packing
Packing and moving can get extremely exhausting. Don't try to get it all done in a single evening. Instead, plan this two weeks ahead and take your time to get packing done.
If you can, plan a few hours per day for packing and don't work outside that window. Following this plan guarantees you won't suffer from stress and exhaustion.
9. Hire Professional Movers
As much as possible, rely on a moving professional to get the bulk of the work done for you.
Professionals will have the men and vehicles to get your belongings to your new home in time. They have the training and experience to get the job done right and quickly. You also get the guarantee that if they break or lose something, they'll cover the costs.
Movers also have special equipment to lift and move heavy appliances like a fridge or washing machine.
10. Bring Essential Gadgets With You
Did you know over 5 billion people carry some kind of mobile phone? Now take into consideration other kinds of essential gadgets such as tablets and laptops. Add to your list items for entertainment, such as video game consoles or reading tablets.
Even with a professional mover, you'll want to carry these with you. They're expensive and could contain gigabytes of information files. For extra precaution, save the most important data via cloud storage.
11. Keep Kids and Pets Busy
Do you want to know how to make your move stress free? On the day of the move, keep your kids and pets busy!
Let your kids be a part of the process. Let them handle at least one box to pack and label and monitor. This will keep them out of your way while also keeping them involved with the moving process.
As for your pets, try to keep them engaged with one activity and in one area. This ensures they won't bother the movers.
Try Out These Moving Hacks
Don't hesitate to use these 11 moving hacks when it's time to relocate. These simple steps can help reduce the stress and exhaustion of moving. At the same time, they guarantee you can keep better track of your belongings.
However, optimizing your moving activities don't stop here. If you want to learn even more, why not continue reading our other informative guides right here?