There are few things in life as stressful as moving from one home to another. It doesn’t matter whether you are renting or buying either, as both options have plenty of pitfalls of which to fall foul. The good news is that you can make packing up your old place and getting your stuff to the new home a lot easier. All you need to do is minimise any chaos involved by following the advice in the post below.
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Have a strategy.
Whether you are an avid planner in the other areas of our life, or not having a specific strategy for packing up and moving home is the best idea. Of course, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and spending more time on your plan than packing is not smart either.
Instead, give yourself an afternoon or even an hour to make a list of all the things that need doing. Include even the smallest jobs like buying packing materials, and stickers to go on the boxes. Then as you tick each item off, your motivation will help spur you on to the next task.
When it comes to the packing process itself, you can save time and hassle if you stick to a structure. For example, setting up boxes that match the rooms in your new home, and making a list of what is in each one can be incredibly useful once you come to unpack.
Set deadlines.
Next, once you have your strategy sorted, you can set a deadline for specific batches of tasks that need to be done. Grab your calendar while you do this so you can plan things around your other responsibilities and engagements you may have. After all, it’s likely that you’ll want to get together with friends and family in the area to say goodbye and give you kids the chance to do the same.
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It is best to limit yourself to 3-4 tasks in each group for each deadline. Then you won’t become overwhelmed with everything you have to do. Yet you will also make some good progress and steadily get things ready as your move date approaches. Of course, working backward from your move date is the best way to plan things in, as then you can be sure you will be all ready and packed up to go once D-Day arrives.
Carry out any necessary renovations before you move in.
While you may already have spent a great deal of time prepping your old home for sale, you can also save yourself a great deal of time (and stress) by carrying out any necessary renovations on your new property BEFORE moving date. After all, the last thing you want to do when unpacking is to have to move everything out again in a few days in order to re-decorate the space. For example, if you’re looking to give your new house a more modern makeover before you call it home, you should start by updating the Flooring ahead of time. For example, you could get in touch with a flooring company such as Avellino Flooring, who will be able to quickly (and efficiently) install new flooring throughout your home – whether you’re looking for luxurious carpet or stylish wooden floor. Getting these jobs ticked off your to-do list before the big day means your new home is ready for you, and can help reduce the amount of chaos you have to deal with when moving.
Cleaning on the day of the move.
No matter how organised you are before, there will always be some cleaning that needs to happen in your older property before you can move out.
Of course, the best idea is to do a deep clean and get into all the nooks and crannies before you begin packing. Then things should be too hard going once you have everything in boxes. Be sure to stock up on cleaning products too, including things like magic eraser and duster. After all, you won’t want to have to pop to the shop on the day of the movie, as you’ll already have enough to be doing.
Get some help on the day.
Anyone that has ever moved home before knows that it is an exhausting process. With that in mind, if you want to be in a good enough state to get things set up at your new place, it’s best not to overexert yourself. Therefore, limiting the number of tasks and the amount of effort you have to expend on the day is sensible.
For example, if you have pets or kids, why not ask a friend or family member if they can do the honours that day, leaving you free to manage and direct your move.
Additionally, instead of spending the day lugging about heavy items of furniture, why not recruit the help of a company like Britannia Cestrian that specialises in offering professional moving services. Then you will be left with plenty of energy to unpack and start to settle once you arrive in your new home.
Have a ‘can’t do without a box.’
Next, bear in mind that there will be some items you’ll want to access as you unpack in your new home. These things usually include mugs, coffee tea, milk, sugar spoons, and tea towels. Add in some wet wipes, and toilet rolls as well, and any snacks you and the family need to keep your energy up for unpacking.
Then be sure to keep this box close to you, in your car, if possible, and not loaded on the truck with everything else. Then you can take in as soon as you arrive, and you will be set up to be as comfortable as possible for the process of unpacking.
Get the kids’ rooms set up first.
While we are on the subject of getting things set, remember that moving home can be a very stressful experience for children. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to do something to help the kids settle in as fast as possible in your new home.
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In particular, make sure that the kids’ furniture and toys are the last things on the removal truck so that they will be the first off. Then you can get their rooms set up, so they have a place to play, nap, and call their own from the very start. Also, something that can also help to keep them out from under your feet while you are unpacking as well.
Be realistic.
Finally, if you want your home to be as low stress as possible, you must be compassionate and realistic with yourself. Of course, you would love to get the new place looking perfect on the first day while leaving the old place spick and span for the new residents.
However, there is only so much time in a day, and you will only have so much energy. Therefore be sure to prioritise essential tasks and don’t worry too much about the other things. After all, you and your family will have a lifetime to get your new home exactly how you want it.