Lets be real here: moving house is stressful. The best way to approach moving day is with an easy-going “let it happen” attitude, and the knowledge that everything will be okay at the end of the day once you’re in your new place. Whatever the situation, packing can feel like a daunting task, and if you’re in the unfortunate position of having to relocate quickly, the pressure can mount up. Here are some tips on how to optimise your packing for a quick and efficient move.
Pack least used items first
The first things you should be packing are the pieces that you use least often. Sort everything as you pack and keep boxes of things to throw away and things to donate nearby throughout the whole packing process. If you’re packing lots of things that you never use into boxes, consider donating them to help declutter for the move into your new home. Once you’ve got the rarely used things out of the way, move onto non-essential things such as books, decorations and movies.
Once you’ve sorted your things into more and less used and got everything into boxes, make sure that you store the boxes so that your least used boxes go into the truck last. This means that they’ll be first out in the new home, and much more likely to be hidden under a pile of boxes for a while when you are settling. It keeps your essential items easy to find and access in both homes, making the whole process smoother and easier.
Organisation is key
Once your boxes are packed, make sure to label them. Try colour coding each box to indicate which room you want everything placed in you’ll find it much easier to locate all of your things at the end of the day. Label boxes on the top as well as on two sides so that no matter how your box is picked up, it is still easily identifyable and can be sorted into the right place.
If you know you won’t have a lot of time for unpacking in your first day or two, consider numbering different boxes and creating a spreadsheet or checklist of some sort to keep track of where everything is located. This can also be useful in the planning stage if you do this in advance, creating yourself a moving house checklist to make the whole experience simpler.
Keep it simple
Minimise the amount of packing and unpacking you’re doing by keeping clothes and other things in drawers that you are taking with you. Remove each drawer to transport in and out of the truck more easily, then reassemble at the other end of the line, as well as in the truck for the trip over. Not only does this save you time, it also protects your clothes and saves space in the moving van!
Pack an overnight bag
For the day of your move, pack a bag or suitcase with everything you’ll need. This should include a change of clothes, toiletries and phone chargers, plus any other essentials you might need. Also, make sure to plan ahead where you plan on sleeping for your first night in the new place, and make sure you can access any bedding you might need easily and without any hassle.
These tips should help you to make your move as easy and efficient as possible, no matter how quickly you are having to relocate. Start by packing your least used items, and remember that everything doesn’t have to be done perfectly. Label boxes clearly as you go and you should be able to move easily and still find everything you need at the other end. Good luck, and happy packing!
Leave a Reply