Moving day is circled on the calendar, and it’s a weird mix of feelings, right? A bit of excitement with a bit of dread.
I know exactly how you feel! How am I going to get all this stuff done before moving day gets here?
With my moving tips and a bit of elbow grease in the next few weeks, you can organize your move and leave chaos and confusion at the door.
Key Takeaways
- Start moving preparation at least 8 weeks prior with a free moving checklist, decluttering, and deciding on DIY or professional movers.
- Create a moving binder and color-code boxes for efficient organization and use a detailed labeling system to simplify unpacking.
- Pack a box of first-week essentials and ensure a budget that includes a contingency for unexpected costs.
Moving Organization
Moving can be a bit like a circus, but we can make it an organized one, at least! Planning, packing, and maybe a little panicking are all part of the big move.
I’m here to walk you through this and share some top-notch advice to make this whole moving thing feel like a breeze.
When we moved into this house, this is how we made it work:
1. Use A Free Moving Checklist
Moving has its own kind of chaos, right? It’s like, suddenly, there are a gazillion things to do.
Don’t stress! I’ve got just the thing to help: a free moving checklist.
Think of this to-do list as your guide through the moving maze. I created it to help you stay organized and calm so you can stay on top of everything.
By splitting your mountain of to-do’s into bite-sized chunks, starting from 5+ weeks out, you’ll find moving more manageable and less overwhelming.
2. Make A Moving Binder
Creating a moving binder isn’t just about staying organized; it’s about making the whole moving shebang a lot less overwhelming.
Think of the moving binder as your moving command center, where important documents, receipts, and every to-do list you can think of come together.
You can print my checklist above and other organization checklists you find (for cleaning, packing or whatever), and have them all in one place to get your move handled like a boss.
When you create a moving binder, you’ll want sections for all the important stuff:
- Documents like moving company paperwork
- Receipts
- Contact details
- Printed checklists that guide you through the move
3. Budget Your Move
Your moving budget needs to cover everything. Big stuff, small stuff, and everything in between. Got a big piece like a piano? Make sure it’s on your list so there are no surprises.
Create a budget template. Organize it into sections like:
- Truck rental and equipment (renting a moving truck, dollies, furniture pads, etc- or hiring someone else)
- Packing supplies (boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing tape, plastic tubs, and markers)
- New utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet, even gas for moving and commuting)
- Cleaning services (if you hire a cleaner)
- Food expenses (paying for friends to help out or eating out the first few nights in the new house)
4. Declutter Early
One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to start decluttering when you first start thinking about making a move to a new place.
Getting rid of the stuff you don’t need or want anymore means an easy street for moving!
Fewer things to move equals lower moving costs and less packing material. You won’t need as many moving boxes, which means you could get a smaller moving truck.
Check out my free decluttering checklist to help you narrow down what’s moving with you and what you’re saying goodbye to.
5. Decide On Movers Or DIY Move
Do you have a bunch of heavy stuff or precious items that make you nervous just thinking about moving them? Professional movers might be what you need.
Between our first move and our second, I knew I wanted to save up to pay other people to move everything and save my back in the process.
We packed everything up, labeled it, and set it up so they could pick it up and move it – and they moved a lot faster than we did before!
But if you’re looking to save some bucks and have fewer boxes or furniture, DIY moving is totally doable with some good friends and family to help.
6. Get Packing Supplies- Aim For Freebies
The big moving day is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about packing supplies.
You need cardboard boxes, zipper bags, trash bags, bubble wrap or packing paper, and even wardrobe boxes.
Those really add up in costs, but it’s possible to make moving more budget-friendly- with freebies!
Visit local stores like a neighborhood grocery or big-box furniture place; often, people have more boxes than they know what to do with.
I asked for boxes and bubble wrap in my Buy Nothing group, and between 5 different families, I had over 50 boxes in a few days. It never hurts to ask around!
7. Pack Non-Essentials
Here’s a little tip that I used when we moved to make things a lot easier: start by packing up those non-essentials and get them out of the way early.
I’m talking about the things you don’t need every day – seasonal decorations, special keepsakes, or maybe that fancy china set you only use on special occasions.
The sooner you start packing the things you don’t need, the quicker your house will empty out!
8. Label Boxes- Know What’s In Everything
When it’s time to unpack, you’ll thank yourself for this one: Instead of using a Sharpie marker and labeling it with a generic “Kitchen Box,” get down to the nitty-gritty of what’s stored inside.
Label it – “Kitchen: Baking Sheets, Pie Pans” or “Kitchen: Paper towels, cleaning supplies, trash bags.”
I saw a nifty app that creates codes you can print and put on boxes without paying for anything, but it isn’t a perfect app, so you may just want to take pictures yourself or label with notes like my example.
9. Color Code Your Move
My favorite moving tip is an easy hack that professional organizers use to streamline the whole process for a more organized move.
I gave every room in the new house a color, and all my labels were those colors so the movers knew exactly where to take every box. I popped the whole system into my moving binder to prep our move.
I used colored sticky notes and made a map with my floor plans, with each room colored to match the sticky notes I put on boxes.
For example- a green sticky note? The corresponding room is the office where we work and make our money!
10. Decide What Furniture Is Coming Or Going
When you’re getting ready to move, it’s time to look at your furniture and decide what will go with you. Not everything you have now needs to move with you!
This is your moment to think about what really fits into your new space, not just size-wise but also what is going to give you a fresh start.
Plus, picking what furniture to take can help cut down on moving costs. Fewer pieces mean less to move, giving your moving budget a bit of a break.
Grab a tape measure and see if your big pieces will fit nicely in the same room in your new place or if they aren’t worth dragging along.
11. Pack First Week Necessities
Moving can be chaotic. It’s easy to overlook the basics you’ll need immediately after moving in, but you have to think of it like packing for a trip.
You’ll want to pack essentials like toilet paper, a shower curtain, washcloths, towels, and cleaning supplies. You may be sweaty after moving in and unpacking boxes!
I put together a “First Week Necessities” box that included:
- A few outfits
- Healthy snacks for energy
- Flashlights (because who knows?)
- Phone chargers (lifeblood!)
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Multipurpose cleaner
12. Deep Clean Your Current House
After you’ve boxed up everything and moved it out, it’s time to roll up your sleeves for a deep clean of your current place.
It’s a nice welcome for the next people calling it home, and if you’re moving out of a rental, it could help you get your security deposit back.
So, grab those cleaning supplies, and let’s make your home shine, setting the stage for a smooth transition to your next chapter.
13. Get Your New House Ready (Free Printable!)
Before the big moving day, get your new house ready for you and your family.
Because I know how much there is to keep track of, I’ve whipped up a handy, free new house checklist for you.
This checklist will be your roadmap to making your new home move-in ready, so you don’t miss a beat.
It includes my moving day essentials box for the first night (think bottled water, snacks, and everything you need to survive Day 1 in your new home.
It also reminds you to get utility company phone numbers so you can call and get things set up before you move in. Moving in the winter without the heat being on won’t be fun!
FAQs
How do I get things organized and ready to move?
I suggest using my free moving list to plan out what you need to do, but here are a few things you’ve got to do:
Sort through your stuff room by room and determine what’s coming with you or getting donated or trashed.
With decluttering out of the way, pack by room, starting with non-essentials that need to get out of the way. It will make setting up your new place a breeze.
Be smart about labeling your boxes- use color-coded labels to match the rooms in your new home, and be specific about what’s in those boxes so you prioritize some things when unpacking.
What should I declutter before I move out?
It’s the perfect time to take a good, hard look at all your stuff. The goal? To only pack and bring along things that you use, love, or hold dear to your heart.
Let’s be real. We all have those “I might need this one day” items, but moving is the ultimate moment to ask yourself if you really need to hang onto that spare toaster or those old sneakers.
Here are some thoughts I had that may help you decide how much stuff to say goodbye to:
- Expired food? Toss it. You’re not going to eat it now if you haven’t already.
- That pile of small appliances collecting dust? Find them a new home if you haven’t used it in over 6 months.
- Clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in 6 months, a year, or more? Donate them to someone who will.
- Outdated electronics, cords, and chargers cluttering drawers? Recycle them responsibly.
How can I organize and label my moving boxes?
Organizing and labeling your moving boxes helps make a stress-free move. Here are quick tips to use when you start packing.
- Kick things off with a solid labeling system so you know what’s inside the moving boxes without having to play a guessing game.
- Bring some color into the mix by using colored tape or stickers to mark boxes by room. Blue for the bathroom, green for the office—suddenly, where everything goes is as clear as day.
- Have a master checklist that tells you exactly what’s stored inside each box and where it should go in your new place.
- Make sure to label each box both on the top and sides. That way, you can spot what you need, even in a towering stack.
- And let’s talk about those fragile items. Mark their boxes with a big, bold “FRAGILE” or “HANDLE WITH CARE.” It’s like a gentle reminder when the movers pack to tread carefully.
Are there helpful moving apps I could use?
Helpful moving apps aren’t about packing and moving but helping you prep your move and find a new home.
Realtor.com is one of my go-to sites to find houses for sale (yes, I’m looking even if we aren’t moving anytime soon!).
The website is easy to use and has the best filtering tools, so you can narrow down your options to find homes that fit your needs.
Next, I suggest you use OfferUp to sell stuff after you declutter. This will help you fund your move and get unwanted things out of your way.
Final Thoughts
With a bit of prep and some savvy organizing tricks, you can make the whole moving process a smooth experience with less stress on you, Mama.
Get going early, keep everything organized, and tackle the move one step at a time. It’s all about keeping your cool so you move forward (pun intended).
Whether you’re just moving down the block or way across the country, my tried-and-true tips can help you have a successful move.
Happy moving!
