How To Make Moving Day Easier

Start planning early.

A lot has to happen to get you from your current location to your new home. You have to organize, pack, and transport all of your things, figure out how much everything weighs, negotiate a price with movers (if you're hiring them), and potentially arrange for storage if the timing doesn't work out exactly. All the moving parts that go into a move can add up quickly—and become very stressful—so do yourself a favor: start planning early.

The actual process of packing can take months depending on just how much you own. But even if the job only takes a few weeks, it's best to give yourself plenty of time so you can do it thoroughly and avoid having too much clutter left at the last minute. While you're decluttering, keep in mind that moving is a great opportunity to toss or donate items that no longer serve you—or never did in the first place!

Come up with a realistic plan and timeline for packing.

You need to make a timeline for your packing. If you’re moving in one month, don’t wait until the last minute to start packing! It can get overwhelming very quickly, and the stress will likely lead to poor decisions that end up costing you time and money. Start boxing up those items you don’t use on a daily basis as soon as possible. 

You should plan to be out of your home at least a day before your move date — no one wants to pack after a tiring day of moving furniture and other heavy objects!

Get rid of stuff you don't need or want.

Moving day is a busy time. If you have plenty of time before the move, it can help to go through belongings and get rid of anything you don't really need. The last thing you want to deal with on moving day is trying to get rid of stuff that you don’t want. This can also make unpacking much easier! 

If your unwanted items are in good condition, consider donating them to charity.  This can make you feel good about clearing out the clutter.

If you plan ahead for this disposal and have a plan for getting rid of waste such as old furniture before moving day arrives, it will make moving day go much more smoothly.

Use space efficiently for packing.

Using space efficiently for packing is important because you don't want to be stuck with too many boxes taking up your living room, or paying for more space in a moving truck than you need.

To pack as efficiently as possible, try to fill odd spaces inside containers with lighter items like linens or clothes. You can also use soft items like towels and clothes to cushion breakable items.

If you have reusable containers that stack well, these are great options for packing fragile things like dishes and glassware.

Make sure all boxes are labeled clearly and that inventory lists are up to date.

 Moving may be a time-   consuming, tiring process, but it   can be done with ease if you are   prepared.

 Make sure all boxes are labeled   clearly and that inventory lists are  up to date. You'll thank   yourself later when it comes time   to unpack — or even in the midst   of your move when you need to   figure out which boxes should   ride in the moving van and which   ones can safely take a trip in your car.

Even if you decide to go the old-school route with your labeling (a Sharpie marker is just fine) or if you only make use of existing labels (like those from Amazon), it's helpful for everyone involved in the move process to quickly know what's what. 

Set aside a first night box with essentials in it.

You’ll also want to set aside a box with your essential items. This might include a change of clothes, toiletries, medications and any other items you will need in the first 24 hours. If you have it, throw in some bedding so that you can take a nap on arrival. You can also set up another box for the first week. This could include cleaning supplies and any tools or kitchen items that won't be needed straight away. Make sure to label these boxes clearly so that they are easy to spot when unpacking and don't forget them when moving!

Once you've packed, take inventory of how much you have to move -- this will help with booking the movers.

Now that you've packed up all your possessions and are ready to move, the next step is to inventory how much you have to move. This will help you book movers and plan the logistics of moving day. First, answer these questions:

How many boxes or items do I have?

How heavy are those boxes or items?

How many trucks do I need for all my stuff?

How many movers will it take to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time? How long should it take them? And what will this cost me?

If you can afford it, hire movers and make sure they are reputable ones.

If you can afford to do so, hire professional movers. These folks know what they're doing and can turn a day-long ordeal into a couple of hours of relaxation. The right type of mover will also have the proper equipment to protect your belongings from breaking. A good way to find reputable movers is reading reviews online. The best moving companies have excellent reviews, are licensed and bonded, and have fair prices. You can also ask friends and family for their recommendations.

Moving day doesn't have to turn into moving week if you plan ahead and keep organized!