There’s no way around it — moving is stressful. Your life is busy enough without having to pack up everything you own, move it to a new apartment and put it all in order again. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier, and maybe even enjoyable. Here are four tips to keep in mind as moving day approaches.
Practice Mindful Packing
Image via Flickr by naiarablack1
The hands-down best way to ensure a smooth move is to pack well. Start well in advance of your move date so you’re not rushed. Take the time to consider which things you don’t need enough to move, and sell or donate them instead. Pack one room at a time, and use a color coding system to identify which boxes belong in which room. Pack like items together, starting with things you don’t use every day, and label each box with its contents. If you pack mindfully, decorating your new space will be a breeze.
Protect Your Precious Items
Packing breakables, such as plates, framed posters and photographs, and electronics, requires special care. One way to multitask in your packing is to use towels and clothing to wrap fragile items. Plates should be packed vertically, on their sides, to prevent breakage. Pack glass-framed items individually with multiple layers of fabric and bubble wrap for extra padding. For large electronics like your television or computer monitor, the original packaging is best. However, if you don’t still have it, wrap these items carefully and make sure to transport them upright. Place a clear “Fragile” label on all breakable or delicate items.
Outsource the Heavy Lifting
Image via Flickr by erix!
One of the worst parts of a move is lifting all of the boxes and furniture and hauling them up and down stairs, through tight halls and doorways, and into and out of the truck. Make it easier on yourself by hiring a moving company. Professional movers will get the job done faster than you would on your own, and are experts at tricky situations like getting your oversized sofa up that narrow stairwell.
Don’t Forget the Paperwork
Moving isn’t all about manual labor — there’s some paperwork to be done as well. Number each box and keep a list as you pack so you can verify that everything is accounted for in your new space. Make a floor plan for your new apartment to help organize your unpacking and show the movers where things go. Take photos of your empty apartments, old and new, so you have visual evidence in the event of a dispute with a landlord. File a change of address with the post office, and notify credit cards, insurance companies, employers and others of your new contact information.
Moving might not be something you’re looking forward to, but it doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. After all, it’s the perfect opportunity to clear some clutter out of your life and get a fresh start. By following these smart apartment moving tips, you’ll set yourself up for moving success.
DISCLOSURE: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and buy the product, I will receive a very small commission of the sales price at no cost to you.
After moving continents twice, I don’t ever want to move again! But I’ve said that before and you never know, right?? All of the tips are important and it’s good to be prepared and organized for sure! On our last move we hired a company but moving is always stressful!! Thanks so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration this week!!
I think organization and planning is essential to a successful move. I like to make lists of everything that needs to be done to ensure that nothing is missed. My husband and I will split up the majority of the list so that it isn’t mainly on one person, and there are some things we handle together i.e. packing. I think packing is relatively easy as long as you allow yourself enough time. I have moved a total of 6 times, and each time I make sure to purge anything that I haven’t used in awhile (selling, donating). This will help make sure the new place will not be too cluttered, and the moving bill will be lower as less space will be taken in the truck. I do recommend if you have any breakables that you are worried about or electronics, to let the movers pack them up for you. Great tips, thanks for sharing!