Moving is a major task. As a best-selling author and professional organizer, I’ve helped thousands of people move their belongings over the years. When I get asked what’s the best way to pack up your home and move, my answer is always “it depends.” Each person has different needs and resources, so how you organize your move should be dictated by those factors! But here are some general tips for getting organized before you start packing:
Start packing as soon as possible.
The sooner you start packing, the less stressful your move will be. If you begin as soon as possible and get organized, then on moving day it’s just a matter of throwing everything in boxes. You won’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute trying to find those one or two items that somehow got lost in the shuffle. This means less stress for everyone involved—you, your roommates, and your friends who are helping out with their trucks or vans!
If you wait until the last minute to pack, however… well… let’s just say that there is no “good advice” for this scenario.
Pack room by room.
Packing room by room is essential because it keeps your items organized and makes unpacking much easier. You’ll know exactly where everything is, which will make it easier to find things when you need them during the move and afterwards.
You can’t pack everything at once, so don’t forget to put away items as you’re packing new ones. If there’s something in a closet or cabinet that you’ll need for another room, make sure it’s out of the box before moving on to the next space!
It’s also important not to forget about things that have special meaning or importance in your life—such as photographs from family vacations or gifts given by loved ones. Make sure these are handled with care throughout the move process so they don’t get damaged during transit.
And finally: if this isn’t your first time relocating internationally (or even domestically), then chances are good that there will be some items that require special attention when being packed up for relocation abroad; make sure those particular pieces are taken care of ahead of time so they can be transported safely without any hassle on their way across oceans towards new homes abroad!
Decide whether to use boxes or totes.
Boxes and totes are both great options for your moving, but it’s important to know which one is right for you.
- Boxes are more durable than totes and can be used time and time again, making them a good option if you’re planning on being a frequent mover.
- They’re also more expensive than totes, however—and they won’t fit as many items as a standard storage bin would.
- Totes have the benefit of being lighter weight than boxes, which means they’ll be easier to carry around during packing or moving day itself. They can also be stacked more easily in the garage or attic when not in use (if that’s an option).
- However: because of their softness and flexibility, these containers tend to bend easily if anything heavy is packed into them over time—and some kinds of plastic may not hold up well against moisture or heat either!
Label like crazy.
Labeling is a great way to keep track of things, and it’s also a good way to avoid making mistakes. By labeling your belongings, you’ll be able to find them easily. For example, when you label the clothes in your closet so that you know which is your favorite shirt or pants, it makes it easy for you when it’s time to get dressed.
Labels can help remind us about things that happened in the past—like “the first day of school” or “the last holiday we had.” Labeling helps us remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries too!
We use labels all over our homes—to identify shelves or drawers in cabinets, on boxes and containers in closets & pantries or even as part of organizing solutions like color-coded furniture (we use red tape/tags on items belonging only within bedrooms). The possibilities are endless!
Keep essentials separate.
- Keep essentials separate.
- Create a system for keeping all of the stuff you need to get around, stay clean, and feel safe in one place. If you can’t remember what belongs where, you’ll end up resorting to throwing it all into whatever bag is closest at hand—which will inevitably leave some things behind when they’re needed most.
- Here are some ideas:
- Separate spaces (for example, an office vs. living room)
- Separate rooms (for example, study vs kitchen)
- Separate boxes/bags/containers within those spaces
Don’t overpack boxes.
To ensure you can fit as much as possible into each box, it’s best to fill it no more than half full. If you’re not sure how big a box should be, try using one that is proportionate to the size of object you are packing. For example, if you’re packing a small book, use a small box rather than a large one; if you’re packing clothing or shoes, use boxes with ample dimensions and don’t overstuff them.
Don’t be tempted by seemingly bargain basement prices for over-sized boxes—they may end up costing more than their smaller counterparts when they need to be transported due to their weight limits being exceeded at certain distances from your new home!
Use available storage space on move-in day.
You can use the space you have available to store items until they are needed. Make sure that the items are easy to access and organized so they will be easy for you to retrieve when you need them.
For example, if you have a lot of paperwork or documents that will be needed in the near future, find a file system that works well for you and put these files where they will be accessible. You may want to keep the most frequently used files at eye level so that finding them is easy. If possible, consider using a shelf system with bins or crates so that all of your supplies can be stashed away neatly without taking up too much room on desks or tables.
Planning and organization are key to making a move successful.
Planning and organization are key to making a move successful. They help you manage your time and get everything done that needs to be done. If you plan ahead, you will be less stressed because you know what to do and when it needs to be done.
Organization is just as important as planning. You need to have systems in place so that when something does come up unexpectedly, you know how to handle it without having a meltdown or getting overwhelmed by the situation at hand.
In order for both of these elements—planning and organization—to work together seamlessly, it’s important that they’re in sync with one another; otherwise they’ll just feel like two separate entities instead of one cohesive plan or process that allows everything else around them (such as people) can succeed too!
Conclusion
Remember, you have a lot to do when it comes to moving. But if you’re organized and keep things simple, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience and appreciate the end result.
