How to Organize Prior to Moving Day

Here’s a general rule of thumb to follow when it comes to moving. You ALWAYS have more stuff than you think you do. How many of us have gotten prepared to move only to realize days before that we have way more stuff than we originally thought? Closets to clean out, junk drawers to empty and old items we’ve completely forgotten about? How in the world can you actually get organized for moving day when you’re caught by surprise by all of your stuff?

Don’t worry, it happens to us all. Here’s how to organize so you’re not completely stressed on moving day.

Start Early – If there’s one piece of advice we can give about how to get organized for moving day, it’s to start organizing early. Give yourself about a month to go through all of your stuff and begin getting it organized into boxes. If you work full time you’ll be doing yourself a favor! No more waiting until the week before moving (or for some of us, the weekend of) to start packing. If you want moving day to go smoothly, start early.

Get Rid of Unwanted Items First – You know that closet you’ve been dreading cleaning because it’s accumulated so much stuff? That’s where you’re going to want to start first. Get rid of anything you haven’t seen in a year or six months for that matter. If they’re sentimental items you definitely can’t get rid of, box them up in an organized fashion if they aren’t already. You’ll be thanking yourself later.

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes – The key to a smooth move is boxing your items so they’re organized whey they get to your new place. Don’t throw items in plastic garbage bags to move, take the extra time and buy boxes. If you’re renting a truck they’re way easier to pack in. You can also box away items you know will stay in boxes even after you move like sentimental items or things you’re keeping for when you have a bigger space. But in the meantime, invest in a black marker so you can label your boxes so you’re not wondering what’s inside them once you’re in your new home.

Don’t Forget to Clean – When it comes to moving, not only is it a hassle to actually pack and move, but there’s also cleaning your former home, especially if you’re renting. If you want your deposit back, this is a must do. Organize your time so that you’re not rushing to clean on the last day or even worse, that night. Or, hire a cleaner to come by during the day so that you make sure they’ve done a good job so that you will definitely get your deposit back.

Keep Your New Home Organized – Really, the key to having a super smooth moving day is to just have your home organized from the beginning. This may be easier said than done, but if you make it a habit to get rid of stuff you don’t use on a regular basis you’ll be saving yourself tons of time once moving day arrives. If you’re a renter that tends to move every couple of years, this is especially important! Like we said before, you’ll be thanking yourself later.