Moving can be one of the most stressful days of your life—but it doesn’t have to be! With effective preparation, organization, and time management, you can transition seamlessly from one residence to another. Here are six tips on how to get ready for a move from our team of professional organizers.

Prepare Your Home

Before you begin packing, take time to go through your possessions and get rid of any unwanted or unused items. If you’ve lived in your current home for more than a few years, you may be overwhelmed by how much clutter has accumulated. The worst thing you can do for your move is take it all with you. Not only does this create more work during the moving process, it also makes unpacking and organizing a nightmare. Sell, donate, or toss anything you don’t want to keep so that you can move into your new home with a clean slate and only the items you actually want.

Create a Plan

The key to minimizing moving stress is to have a plan, which should include a timeline that begins weeks in advance of your moving day. Know when you will tackle decluttering each part of your home, in what order you will pack, and how you will move things from point A to point B. Seeing your plan on paper can also help you determine whether you need to work with specialty movers or professional organizers.

Make a List of “First Night” Items

What do you need to enjoy a restful first night in your new home? Mattress, bedframe, linens, bathroom toiletries, and kitchen items should be on your list. If you are moving all in one go, these are the things that should be loaded last onto the truck so that they can be unloaded first into their proper place. Prioritize the most essential items so that your home is functional from day one. You should wake up refreshed and relaxed the next morning, ready to tackle the rest of your unpacking and organizing.

Begin Packing Early

You can begin packing weeks in advance of your move when you start with non-essential items. If you don’t need it for everyday life, pack it early to save yourself the headache of rushing to get it all done. It might be helpful to make lists of essential and non-essential items so that you can prioritize what should be packed weeks before, the final week before, the day before, and the morning of.

Label, Label, Label

Anytime you pack a box, be sure to clearly label what room it is going into in the new home, because it might be different than the room it’s in now—this is especially helpful if you are hiring professional movers. The label should also specify what is inside, in what quantity, and whether it is fragile. It can also be helpful to number the boxes that are going into each room and record this on a master list alongside the contents of each box. This way, you will know if a box has been misplaced and can more quickly locate specific items. Effective labeling helps you unpack in an organized, logical manner.

Don’t Forget about Utilities

No one wants to arrive at their new home with a team of movers only to realize there’s no power in the house. Be sure to arrange for your utilities to be transferred over or turned on in advance of your arrival. Running water, electricity, internet, and gas—these things are also key to ensuring you have a comfortable first night.

Professional Relocation Organization Services

Still worried about how to get ready for a move? With the help of professional organizers, moving can be stress free! Totally Organized offers a full range of relocation services, including decluttering, packing, coordinating moving day, unpacking and organizing, designing storage solutions, and decorating. Reach out today for a free consultation catered to your needs and budget!