Moving from one house or apartment to another is one of the most stressful things people do.  Lots of consideration goes into what neighborhood to move to, what style home or apartment is chosen, cost, and various other factors.  In the hectic time of a move, however, organization is frequently not considered or is pushed to the side as something that’s good to do but only if there’s extra time.

There are three areas that can generally be improved during a move: 

• decluttering before the move

• packing in a structured way

• organizing in the new space.

Decluttering before the move

Do you really want to pack up, move, and unpack things you don’t use?  In addition to being a waste of time, moving things you don’t need or want can cost you money in additional packing and moving costs, especially if you are moving long distance.  Many times our team helps clients unbox and sort through items that are left over from moves that happened years ago because the clients didn’t take the time to declutter before the move.  Avoid wasting time,effort and money, as well as having boxes stored from an old move, by spending time making decisions ahead of time.

Pack with a plan

Throwing things into random boxes and not labeling clearly are 2 ways that you can get into trouble while packing your belongings.  Even if you are in a rush, take the time to pack similar things together and to label the boxes with clear descriptions of the contents.  If possible, also label the boxes with the room they will go into in your new home.  Also, separately pack things you’ll need right away and put them in your car.  These items might include snacks, pet food, toilet paper, medicines, paper towels, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.

Organize the new space

As boxes are unpacked from the moving truck, have them placed in the rooms that they belong in.  Generally, it’s best to unpack the bathrooms and bedrooms first, followed by the kitchen.  As you unbox items, put them away as close to where they will be used as possible, keeping similar items together.  For example, in the kitchen, put dishes in cabinets close to the dishwasher or sink, spices near the stove, silverware near the dishes, and drinkware near the water source (sink or refrigerator).  If you come across items you wish you hadn’t packed in the first place, discard them right away.  If you can’t get to all the unpacking immediately, stack boxes neatly and out of the way so that you don’t get too overwhelmed by the incomplete work.

If you don’t have time, energy, or the ability to do all of this on your own, there are ways to get support.  Most moving companies can do the packing for you and some even do some limited unpacking.  Professional organizers and move managers can assist with some or all of the steps involved in planning a move, including many items that I didn’t cover here.  Additionally, with clear instructions and directions, supportive friends and family members can provide valuable assistance.

Are you planning a move this summer?  Pay attention to the areas covered in this article and get assistance if you need it.  Focusing on these parts of the moving process will make the move easier and far less stressful.