Now that I’ve been in full moving mode for the past couple of months, I thought I would share some of my favorite moving day tips and tricks with you that I’ve learned along the way…
1. Start preparing early.
If you’re moving within the month, boy… I hope you’ve started preparing already. Moving is a lot more time-consuming than you may think. Think about your kitchen alone. How many cabinets and drawers you need to pack up? Yeah, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to pack up, especially in case something unexpectedly comes up. Do NOT save packing until the day before. Your friends and family will be cursing you on moving day.
2. Clearing the clutter.
One of the easiest ways to start packing is to start with the clutter. Clean off countertops. Clean out closets. Get rid of the overwhelming mess first.
3. Keep it or pitch it.
And while you’re clearing up the clutter, decide what you need to keep and what you can pitch (or donate). Do you really need that little broken end table in the new house that you have been meaning to fix for the past 5 years? Or the ping pong table in the basement that no one has played… like ever? Yeah, might want to donate that one.
4. Boxes in every size.
Make sure you purchase boxes in various sizes. For our winter clothing I had really big boxes since they were pretty light when all packed up and everything was stored in one place. But that same box wouldn’t work for my kitchen dishes. Also, check your local grocery store for free boxes. Always works for me!
5. Wrap it up.
Purchase plenty of packing paper and bubble wrap. I would hate for you to get to the new house with broken collectibles or nothing to eat on. Yeah, it takes a loooong time to wrap everything, but it’s better than having to replace items after you move.
Don’t forget to purchase packing tape, scissors and permanent markers (have extras of everything too). And don’t skimp on the packing tape. Trust me, it’s worth keeping your sanity for that extra $2 when you’re tape roll keeps falling apart.
6. Get lots of moving blankets.
Moving blankets are great for covering large furniture in the moving truck so things don’t get scratched. Also useful for large paintings, mirrors, and televisions. Once you unwrap items, you can use the blankets when moving furniture so you don’t damage your door frames.
7. Make a list, check it twice.
I’m a list maker. I make them on my iPhone, on my computer, with sketchpads and my pencil. It will help you keep track of all the tasks if you’re able to write them down and cross them off as you complete each one. Trust me, this is a moving day tips you’ll want to follow.
8. Order PODS or a storage unit if needed.
Sometimes you can’t transition smoothly from your old place to your new home. Check into pricing of PODS or local storage units and compare. Also check online for coupons and see if one place will honor a competitor’s pricing. Worth asking at least!
9. Turn on utilities in the new place.
Yep, make sure you do this. I’d hate for you to move in the dark.
10. Draw a floorplan.
It will help your movers know where to place furniture if you draw out a floorplan of your new home prior to moving day. Kinda sketch where the couches, end tables, etc will go. You can always tweak it later, but at least it’s a starting point.
11. Mark your kitchen cabinets in the new place.
Your mother-in-law might want to try and “help” you unpack kitchen boxes. Yeah, then you won’t be able to find your soup ladle for 6 months. Instead try to get your helpers on track by labeling the cabinets and drawers with sticky notes (plates, cups, mugs, silverware, etc).
12. Mark your bedrooms.
I’m sure you labeled all of your boxes with “Sammy’s Bedroom” or “Office”. Make sure you put a sticky note on the door of the room so they know what is where.
13. Buy carpet protection tape.
You just closed on your new house and you can’t wait to move into your dream home on this rainy October afternoon. Umm… you probably want to protect your brand new carpeting. While removing your shoes can help, the best idea is to invest in some carpet protection tape.
14. Call in the reinforcements.
Make sure you tell all of your friends and family member way ahead of time when you’re moving (so they’ll have no possible excuse not to be there, right?). Provide them with lunch and beverages, especially bottled water, throughout the day.
15. When all else fails, hire professionals.
If you have a lot of valuables and nice furniture (or if all this moving talk simply makes your brain fry), maybe consider hiring some professional movers. It can be a bit pricey, but it might just be worth it for some!
Need more moving day tips?
Make sure you get this moving day checklist!
SO DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD MOVING DAY TIPS OR TRICKS?
Please share below!
Beth says
Hi there,
Thanks for the pointers and tips. I am on an abbreviated schedule. We are moving because of the Colorado floods. I hope to compact your tips into a few short weeks!
Beth
Kathe says
We recently moved and our biggest help was to try and consolidate everything into one room or one level. Everything in the basement got packed and moved to the main level. Same with the bedrooms upstairs. Then, we could just close those areas off and know that on move day, no stairs to navigate for our helpers. An added bonus, once those areas were cleared, I could clean leaving only level to clean on the final day.
MommaO says
We recently moved and hired movers for the large furniture – (3 guys, 1 truck, 3 hours) and that really helped. To keep to the 3 hour time frame, we broke down all the furniture (unscrewed the bed frames, took mirrors off dresses,etc) which really helped. We moved all the boxes ourselves and to save some money, we reused the boxes and paper. It also helped with NOT having a zillion boxes at the new house! Packed up, got the boxes to the new house, unpacked them, rinse, repeat. Of course, we had more than one day to move (we gave ourselves a 2 week window). So many expenses with a new house that we tried to save money where we could (Momma didn’t want to paint 3300 square feet, so painters were in order!)
Eileen says
Great ideas. We moved a distance and had things in storage for a long time so we bought boxes of medium size so they could hold books, etc without breaking someones back and they were uniform which was great for stacking. I bought rolls of unprinted newspaper from the same place. I packed the item in that and used regular newspaper for the outside of that item packing in the box. That way, there was less possibility of losing something when I unpacked because the plain paper always held the item. It also doesn’t leave newsprint on china, clothes, etc. We reused them forever and are still. I flattened out the plain paper to use under projects, etc. I also used a ton of white garbage bags to hold blankets, sheets, etc. I reused them as I unpacked. Start packing as early as possible. It’s too stressful, otherwise. Good luck
Karina says
It all depends on how far you are moving. Moving in town is so much easier than moving across country. Start early, pack knick knacks, books, guest rooms, and anything you don’t use on a regular basis. Clean and cull as you go. Moving day, pick a bathroom or empty closet to stash your suitcases, dog food, cleaning supplies so they don’t get packed on the truck. Put a sign on the door to ‘Do Not Load This Room/Closet’. Don’t forget to put your medicines, aspirin, ibuprophen, muscle rub, etc. On moving day I need to take some Advil to sleep that night. lol
Before the furniture arrives at the new house, go through the house with a pad of paper and marker. Place a sheet of paper on the floor where you want the big pieces of furniture (label them “bed, china cabinet, etc.” This will save you from running yourself ragged showing the movers where to put things, especially if you are moving into a two story house. Since the boxes are usually labeled with the kid’s names, I tape a piece of paper on the door with their name to help movers put boxes in the correct bedroom at the new house.
Jessica says
Make sure if you hire a professional you do your research. There are a lot of comapnies out there that will try and scam you. When you sign the contract, READ IT! In most cases, the moving company is only liable for $0.60 per pound for any item they damage. That means your $1200 bed is only worth $400 if they break or damage it.
howtonestforless says
Great tip Jessica!
Brenda says
VERY true..the company I used stated the price I was quoted was the price I would pay…BUT they charged extra for cling wrap/paper/tape for the big items! They had all kinds of hidden costs that were nowhere on the contract.
A good tip if you have large pieces of glass, like a coffee table top, go to the 99 Cents store and buy a few pool noodles. Slit them on one side and tape to the edges of your glass. I did this to two sides of my glass…guess where I got a chip? On the sides I didn’t do. 🙁
Karen Blackburn says
Amen!
Jojo says
You can use your towels (hand/dish/face/bath..etc.) instead of bubble wrap /packaging paper
howtonestforless says
We wrapped some framed photos in towels! Much smarter than packing them away and not using the fluffiness for something 😉
Alisha says
Leave your clothing on the hangers and simply put a garbage bag around them. That way you can tie them up and when you get to the new place you just hang them in the closet and take the garbage bag off. I have done a bit of moving and that makes the clothing a cinch. Women’s clothing can fit in 13 gallon bags or a size up for longer bulkier clothing, but men’s clothing will require larger yet. Fewer boxes to move and it opens up space in the vehicles because the clothing can fit around most boxes that way.
howtonestforless says
Great tip!!
Trish says
We’ve Moved A Lot In Recent Year, Always Within An Hour Away. One Thing I Found Useful Was My “Everywhere” Box. I Used A Medium Sized Clear Plastic Tote. It Had Anything I Might Need At Either Place, No Matter Which End Of The Moving We Were On. It Was Always With Me Wherever I Happened To Be. It Had packing Tape, Sharpie, Paper, Screw Driver, Hammer, Otc Meds Like Ibuprofen, Kleenex, Keys To The New House And All Sheds, Phone Charger, Zip Ties, Etc. Anything And Everything You May Need At Either Place As You Get The New One Ready And Pack Up The Old.
howtonestforless says
OH, such a smart tip! Thanks Trish!!
Mika says
I would like to add two more hints that helps me move:
1) Use your suitcases to pack your books! They have handles and wheels. 😉 And you’re moving a suitcase anyway, might as well pack it up!
2) For wrapping delicates, like dishes, I hate wasting newsprint or bubblewrap, so I actually wrap them with my clothes! Sounds silly, but you’re folding your shirts and pillow cases anyway, use your average T-shirts to wrap your delicates, it’s a 2 in 1!
Bonus hint, everything heavy like books, place them into small boxes! Everything light, like pillows, the super huge boxes.
Hope these help. 🙂
howtonestforless says
GREAT TIPS!!!
Chelsie says
To save having to buy so much bubble wrap and paper, we use our towels to wrap dishes and breakables. We figure it all has to get to the new house somehow! If you need more, use the Sunday paper for wrap paper 🙂
Tina says
Instead of wrapping every plate in my cabinet, I place a paper plate in between each plate and then wrap paper or a towel around the stack. Not only do the plates arrive at the new home in one piece, but after putting away, I also have a stack of paper plates to use during the move. 🙂
Michelle says
Before the movers get to the new house, designate specific areas in the garage for the boxes for each room. Only furniture goes in the house. Boxes stay in the garage until you’re ready to unpack them. It gives you room to work and when you take a break you don’t feel guilty looking at all the boxes to be unpacked!
howtonestforless says
Good tip Michelle!
Heather says
Starting Exactly 30 Days prior to move day, pack 2 boxes per person in the household per day. For example, Mom, Dad and 2 kids is 4 people times 2 equals 4 Boxes per Day. It may seem like a lot to pack but it will give plenty of time to pack everything in an orderly and timely fashion. Have the kids help by packing their own toys—it might not be perfect but they’ll feel a sense of participation and accomplishment by helping out. I’ve used this method for multiple moves (my husband’s employer believes in cross-country transfers!) and it hasn’t failed me yet!! Don’t forget to add on boxes missed from the previous day to keep your packing on track.
Heather says
Sorry, should read: “8 boxes per day).
Heather says
One more: years ago my parents hired movers who asked them to ensure that they packed all the dresser drawers fully and secure them ‘closed’ with a towel tucked over the contents. On moving day the movers simply removed the drawers, carried the empty dressers onto the truck and replaced the drawers into the dresser. Each drawer became its own box!
Surra says
Thank you for the list tip! I always make lists but didn’t think to make one now. Ha! Hubby is active duty military and we got (VERY) short notice orders and are moving in 3 weeks. Guess who’s trying to hold down panic!? Lol.
best quality mover says
17 smart packing tips to make moving home a breeze
1. Bag hanging clothes
2. Pack a “1st Day Box”
3. Put things in things
4. Use coloured tape
5. Write a list
6. Label plugs
7. Protect breakables
8. Ziplock
9. Roll clothes
10. Magic Eraser
11. De-clutter
12. Make up your new bed first
13. Involve the kids…
14. …or don’t involve the kids!
15. Order food
16. Wrap cutlery
17. Wear comfy clothes
Selina Dakers says
Helpful things, thank you for sharing. Knowing how to be ready for moving day can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to do.
Ruth says
Never use boxes from the grocery unless you want bugs. Boxes from office supply stores are safer.
Sadie Ake says
Thank you so much for this tips sharing.
Adrian Chase says
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Jay Murphy says
What a very informative and helpful list. Thanks for putting it together! There are so many good tips on here! It definitely makes moving so much easier if you have a plan!