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It’s no secret that moving is stressful. Moving is consistently ranked along with events like marriage, illness, or childbirth as one of the most demanding things you can put yourself through. After all, even if you’re just moving across the city, you’re still uprooting your life in a big way.
If you’re planning a move this year in Canada, there are ways to make things a little easier on your mind and body. As expert movers ourselves, we know all the tricks of the trade and have more than a few packing hacks to offer.
Before you set out on your move – before you even pack your first box – consider these 7 moving hacks. These moving tips will act as shortcuts that will help you unpack and get started on your new life without sacrificing peace of mind.
Declutter Beforehand
A move is an opportunity to get rid of the things you don’t need to hang onto any longer in your life. Is there furniture you’ve been looking to replace? Do you have electronics, charging cables, or random tech, and you don’t even know what it’s for anymore? Declutter your home.
There’s no point in packing anything that’s not going to contribute value to your life the moment it’s unpacked in your home. Anything you can donate, do so. Items that have no value give them a toss in the garbage. Make use of junk removal services to free yourself and save yourself space!
Pack an Essentials Box
There are many roadblocks that can occur during a move, be aware of the risks and plan for the worst. Let’s say, for some reason, you can’t unpack everything the first night in your new residence. This is where a box of essentials comes into play.
This is a marked box, containing all your must-haves to be comfortable on your first day in your new home while you wait to unpack and arrange everything. Using an essentials box is a creative moving hack that won’t leave you digging for toothpaste, an outfit, or your smartphone charger if things get hung up along the way.
Photograph Furniture
Do you have IKEA furniture that needs to be broken down? Well then, here’s an efficient moving tip that will save you time and energy when it’s time to unpack.
Any furniture like couches, cribs, computer desks, or anything requiring disassembly should be documented with photos. It can be a struggle putting things back together, and at the end of a long day, you don’t want to be struggling to get a bed or dresser set up.
Take pictures and make notes of what goes where. Label pieces if you think it necessary. You may also take this approach with home theatre electronics and other complicated arrangements of gear, equipment, items, and materials in the home.
Towels & Blankets
We all have breakables. Instead of buying a ton of bubble wrap, you shouldn’t have to. Simply use your towels and blankets in place. This packing hack will help you save on padding material and protect valuables well.
There are all sorts of moving hacks and shortcuts you can apply in packing breakables, such as using paper plates to protect glass plates or using egg cartons to keep jewelry safe. Items like folded socks and even crumpled newspapers or magazines can also safeguard valuables. Ensure any boxes with breakables are marked to avoid mistakes.
Free Boxes!
When it’s time to pack all of your things, you can buy boxes provided by a moving company. This is easiest and most convenient because it doesn’t take extra time and you don’t need to think about it.
If you can afford the cost, go for it!
If you want to save and as a shortcut to spend, you can generally pick up different sized boxes from local clothing stores, grocery stores, and similar retailers. There’s always boxes being tossed out on a daily basis, just gathering space. Don’t hesitate to stop in at some of these places and pick up a few boxes for yourself. Just know that they aren’t always built steady, so you may need to be picky with what you send yourself home with!
Hire a Moving Company
First-time movers find out the hard way the value a moving company brings. Packing all your items in boxes, placing them in a truck, and transferring them in potentially multiple trips to your new residence is enough work as it is. Then comes opening the boxes, and then unpacking everything that’s in them – it’s A LOT!
Packing on your own may seem like you’re saving money but, at the end of the day, you’re wasting a ton of time and effort, increasing your stress, and likely making it a logistics nightmare trying to coordinate everything with no support. A mover simplifies things and is well worth the hire!
Before hiring a professional company, just be sure to check the reviews online to make sure they’re trusted and reliable.
Take Your Time Unpacking
After you have the boxes in your home and the movers are out of there, take it slow. Your move isn’t entirely done, but the hard stuff is. Now you get to enjoy arranging your new home.
You’ve taken advantage of the moving hacks at your disposal, and with the extra time on your hands, you can really soak in this new experience.
If you have kids, you may want to unpack their boxes first to help ensure they feel at ease. If it’s just adults, you can take your time. Make it easy on yourself. You may want to unpack your mattress; however, you don’t need much more in the first few days.
Don’t cook for the first day at least. Order some takeout or visit a local restaurant. Go slow with your unpacking. Ensure that when you schedule your move, you give yourself a few days to relax and take it with ease.
These shortcuts and moving tips create less stress and anxiety, providing you with options. The best way to proceed is with as much support as is possible. Saddling up with quality, trusted movers helps a ton and is well recommended.
Be thoughtful in how you plan your day and plan the move in general. With a little bit of planning, a few key packing hacks, support from a professional company, and prioritizing keeping things low-stress, you shouldn’t have any trouble having a successful move!
