Moving from one house to the next is a bit like deciding to run a marathon after remembering you haven’t jogged since 2019. It’s exciting, it builds character, and occasionally, if it’s not handled properly, it’s trauma adjacent. Luckily, all you need is a little bit of planning, a sprinkling of realism, and some clever storage options, and you can glide through the process with minimal drama and maximum smugness.
You could make yourself a cup of tea or pour something stronger to sit down and read this article, but let’s break down how you can move house efficiently without losing your mind, your patience, or that screwdriver you absolutely swear that you left on the counter.
1/ Start decluttering before you even think about packing.
Storage is there for a reason, and if you begin packing without decluttering first, then you’ve chosen chaos. Every unnecessary item that you shove into a box today becomes tomorrow’s unpacking regret. Decluttering should be about easing future-you’s workload. The easiest way to do it is to go room by room with bags or boxes: one to keep things, one to donate, and one to say goodbye forever. If you haven’t touched something in a year and it isn’t a fancy winter coat or camping gear, it’s probably safe to release it back into the wild. If not, put it in storage until you decide you want it.
2/ Have a plan for packing.
You might pretend to be an adult, but packing without a plan is like trying to bake a cake without measuring cups. You’re going to end up with a mess and questionable life choices. Instead, start early. If it’s just one box a day, you can start packing backwards with things that you barely use. You should also pack by category, not room. Kitchen gadgets with kitchen gadgets, not kitchen gadgets with random socks and candles shaped like ducks. Label every single box that you use like you’re explaining it to someone who has never lived your life. Colour-code if you feel extra fancy, as not only does this keep you organised, but it also prevents that moment in the new house when you open a box expecting plates and find Halloween decorations.
3/ Gather your packing supplies and then triple them.
You think you have enough boxes, but that’s adorable. You’ll always need more. More boxes, more tape, more bubble wrap, more labels. Also, make sure that you have at least one pair of scissors that doesn’t mysteriously vanish every time you put them down. You should stock up on cardboard boxes in various sizes and plastic moving tubs, which are great for things that shouldn’t get damp. Get bubble wrap for the valuables and therapy purposes, and packing tape, but buy the good stuff because the cheap tape will betray you.
4/ Create a box for your first night.
Your future tired self will kiss you for this, but pack a single box or a suitcase with everything that you’ll need for the first 24 hours in the new house. That includes pyjamas, toiletries, phone chargers, a toilet paper roll, a couple of plates and cups, snacks, and basic tools. This avoids the moving day problem of digging through boxes for toothpaste while slowly losing the will to live.
5/ Pack smart.
When you’re packing, make sure you’re not playing Tetris blindfolded. Heavy items should be in smaller boxes, as your back will thank you, and light items should be in bigger boxes. Pillows, towels, and blankets should be in larger boxes, as you don’t need to waste precious small box real estate. All of your fragile items should be wrapped as they owe you money, with no gaps and plenty of padding. And you can use soft items as padding too, like towels, socks, tea towels and more. Mother Nature will applaud you for your efforts. And don’t forget to keep all of your important documents in one folder that stays with you at all times.
6/ Call in as many favours as you can.
You don’t have to try to do everything yourself when it comes to moving. Every superhero has a support team, and you deserve one too. If you’ve got reliable friends who can carry boxes without complaining too much, bring them in. If you prefer to avoid emotional damage, hiring professional movers is worth every penny. They are fast, strong, and weirdly passionate about box lifting. Just make sure that you get your quotes early. Check all reviews and confirmed times, dates and addresses.
7/ Clean as you go.
Cleaning an empty house at the end of moving day is like running a marathon and then being told to climb a mountain for fun. Don’t do that to yourself. Instead, wipe down shelves and surfaces as you empty them and run a vacuum in each finished room. Take out the trash regularly throughout your packing process and keep cleaning supplies easily accessible. This makes the final walk-through remarkably less painful, both mentally and physically.
8/ Take photos of your tech setup before you unplug.
If you’ve got a setup for a Home Office, make sure you take photos of it before you do anything else. This way you can ensure that you know where every single cable goes. Take pictures of the back of the TV, the consoles and anything else with wires too. This one tiny step will save you a lot of grief.
9/ Move plants, pets and people with care.
Plants do not like sudden change. Pets do not enjoy being stuffed into cars full of boxes. And people, well, we get cranky without snacks. Consider moving your pets last or leaving them safely with a friend, transporting plants in open boxes so they can breathe, and keeping people fueled with water, sandwiches, biscuits, caffeine or whatever bribes are necessary. Happy creatures equal a smoother moving day.
Moving house doesn’t have to be soul-destroying. You might lose a sock or question why you own nearly three identical risks, but by following these steps, you’ll glide into your new home with confidence.
lead photo by Ketut Subiyanto for Pexels
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