How To Prep for a Move
Moving is considered one of the most stressful life events, but with proper planning, it doesn’t have to be! Here’s how you can prep for your move like a pro and stay organized every step of the way.
Pre-move Purge
Decluttering is one of the first (and most important) steps in any organizing process, especially before a move. Since you’re already pulling everything out to pack, it’s the perfect time to pare down so you’re not bringing unused or unwanted items to your next home. Start your pre-move purge like we begin any editing session: with sticky notes, a sharpie, and trash bags. Pull everything out- yes we mean everything– and place into piles keeping “likes with likes” labeling with post-its as you go. Go through each pile one by one deciding whether to keep, toss, or donate. Work in one space at a time to avoid overwhelm (one closet, one bathroom, one pantry, etc.) and remember: it gets worse before it gets better! All your “keeps” can go directly into boxes by category, and donations can be tucked into bags and brought to your nearest drop-off center.
Check out our blogs on decluttering and donating for more details on how to make this process as smooth as possible!
TIP: Make sure to clearly label all boxes by room so it is easy to find what you need when you arrive at your new space!
Pack An Overnight Bag
Whether you’re moving next door or to another state, it’s important to pack an overnight bag so you have everything you need when you arrive in your new home. Pack this bag as if you’re prepping for a 1-2 night stay at a hotel. Include clothes, toiletries, keys, wallet, chargers, and important documents needed for the day of your move. This will ensure that you have as smooth of a transition as possible and don’t need to go riffling through all your boxes on day one just to get a good night’s sleep.
Pack An Essentials Bag
In the same vein, packing an “essentials” bag will keep things smooth sailing as you transition from one home to the next. We recommend packing things like:
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Sheets for your bed
- Toilet paper
- Hand soap
- Trash bags
- Cleaning supplies (all purpose spray, paper towels, etc.)
Pack Tool Kit
The last bag to include should be your moving tools:
- Box opener
- Scissors
- Tape
- Measuring tape
- Sharpies
- Post-Its (this will help you strategize where to place categories in your space rather than dumping everything in and realizing you didn’t leave enough room for a category)
Bring In The Pros
Moving is overwhelming! Why not bring in the experts to help lighten the load? Some options to consider:
- Moving Company– If you don’t plan on loading and driving your own truck, make sure to hire a moving company to get your items safely from point A to point B. Full-service moving companies can take a lot off your plate- some companies even offer packing services for an additional fee!
- Moving Organizers– Let a team of expert organizers handle every detail of your move so you don’t have to! Horderly’ moving services cover it all: from the pre-move purge to coordinating with movers, and organizing your new space in a way that fits your lifestyle. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make during a move, and one of our most popular services for that reason.
- Cleaning Company– Hire a cleaning service to handle the post-move cleanup and boost your chances of getting that security deposit back. Book them for your new home too so you can settle in with a fresh start.
- Task Rabbit– Similarly, task rabbits are great for handling trickier tasks like hanging TV’s, rewiring lighting fixtures, and even simple things like filling holes left from wall decor.
- Custom Designers– Want to make the most of your new space? Horderly designs custom spaces to make sure you’re maximizing every inch of your new home! Learn more about the process of designing the custom space of your dreams here!
- Virtual Organizers– Looking for help tackling your pre-move purge but not in a place to hire in-home organizers? We offer virtual services to help you tackle all your organizing mountains! Learn more about our virtual services here!
Feeling stressed? Don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to help you on your journey toward your dream home. For more information on all things Horderly- including lots of great tips, tricks, and other #HorderlyHabits- check out our blog or reach out for more information!
