Tips to Make Moving Day a Little Easier

When it comes to moving to a new home, the actual moving itself isn't the problem – it's the painful task of packing all of your belongings. For most of us, the thought of packing turns our hair grey. Moving day can be made easier with a few simple tips.

Prepare

Get everything ready to pack in advance. Save money by collecting boxes and packing supplies in the weeks leading up to the big move. Most people buy items that come in boxes, so ask friends and family to save them well in advance. Collect old newspapers or keep free local community newspapers – alternatively, temporarily remove the 'no junk mail' sign from the letterbox to put advertising material to good use protecting breakables.

Packing

It seems simple, but it is easy to overlook in the excitement of moving. Try using smaller boxes for heavy items like books and documents, while larger boxes can be used for lighter items such as pillows and blankets.

Anyone who has moved often experiences 'the box room' – the spare room where boxes are stored when everyone is too tired to unpack. Keeping similar items or items from the same room in the same box makes them easier to find later.

Label your boxes

Don't forget to label every box. Going beyond 'Kitchen' to write 'cutlery drawer' or 'junk drawer' makes a big difference. It can be frustrating to search through boxes months later trying to find an unpacked item.

Hire help

Moving can be done independently, with the help of friends and family, or by paying for professional assistance. Hiring a moving company can complete the job within a few hours rather than taking several days, reducing the risk of injury, damaged furniture, or property damage. Checking a mover's insurance policy before hiring them is always recommended.

To make packing less stressful, preparing early prevents items from ending up in random, unlabelled containers on moving day.