The average person moves 11 or 12 times over the course of their life, and the experience is usually somewhere between somewhat hectic and an absolute nightmare. Let’s face it: moving isn’t fun, but it’s something that most of us will have to do several times. If only there was some way to make it just a little more bearable.
Well, today’s your lucky day because Redfin reached out to some professional movers for some easy moving hacks that take some of the pain out of the process. So before you start packing to move out of your house in Houston, Atlanta apartment, or Raleigh, NC rental, discover some easy ways to take some of the hassle out of moving.
1. Photograph your electronics before disconnecting
From TVs and monitors to gaming consoles and smart devices, there’s likely no shortage of electronics that you’ll need to move into your new home. This means remembering where to plug everything in, and if you aren’t the tech-savvy type, this can be a problem. A quick picture can let you know what gets plugged in where and save you a ton of stress and time in the process of reconnecting your gadgets.
“Before you unplug TVs, gaming consoles, or office setups, snap a quick photo of the wiring,” says Walter Kowalski of Phoenix Moving & Storage. “It’ll make reconnecting everything much simpler in your new space.”
2. Keep pets and kids safe during the move
Kids and pets can also be an accident waiting to happen during a move. With all the moving boxes and furniture flying around, young children and animals could be at risk for injuries. The best way to make sure they stay safe is to keep them out of the way.
“Plan ahead to have pets and young children safely out of the house on moving day,” says Sarah Terrano from MHC Moving. “It prevents accidents, reduces stress for everyone involved, and allows the movers to work quickly and safely without unexpected obstacles.”
3. Get the non-essentials out of the way first
If you’re a procrastinator or have many items to transport, moving can quickly become a race against the clock. To avoid forgetting something important, make sure you get the unimportant stuff out of the way early. This moving hack can prevent you from forgetting more important items as moving day approaches.
“Start packing non-essentials at least two weeks before the move—seasonal items, extra linens, or décor—so the final week isn’t overwhelming,” says Ashraj Singh Sidhu, founder of KAD Moving and Storage. “Also, clearly label boxes on multiple sides with both contents and the room they belong to. It speeds up unloading and saves heaps of time during unpacking.”
4. Make a “first-night” bag for your move
“To ease the chaos of moving, prepare a “first-night” bag with your must-haves — like toiletries, clothes, and chargers,” says Chloe Hugas from Greater Austin Moving and Storage Create an “open first” box with snacks, toilet paper, and pet supplies. Clear walkways and keep boxes organized.”
5. Start packing early to avoid last-minute stress
Begin packing at least a few weeks before your move date. Start with non-essential items like seasonal clothing, books, and decorations. By spreading out the work, you’ll avoid the frantic rush that often happens just before moving day. Early packing also gives you time to sort through items and get rid of things you no longer need.
6. Clearly label all your boxes
The moving process is full of pain points, and finally unpacking all those boxes is one of the biggest challenges people face when moving into a new home or apartment. If boxes aren’t properly labeled, unpacking can become a guessing game that no one wants to play.
“One hack we always recommend is labeling boxes by room and priority level—“unpack first,” “weekly use,” or “storage”—which saves a ton of time during unloading,” says Katron from Instant Movers. “Another smart strategy is to keep a “day-one” essentials bag with chargers, toiletries, and important documents, so you’re not scrambling to find necessities after a long moving day.”
7. Use color-coded labels for each room
The easier it is to identify what goes in which room, the easier your move will be. Assign a color to each room in your new home and use that system to label each box. You can use colored tape, stickers, or even colored markers. This makes it easy for movers to know exactly where each box should go. It also speeds up the unpacking process since everything is already sorted by room.
8. Label boxes on the side
While we’re talking about labeling boxes, make sure labels are visible on the side of the box, not just on top. This may seem like a matter of personal preference at first, but when boxes are stacked on top of each other, it’ll all make sense.
9. Keep Ziploc bags handy for small parts
Rather than transporting large pieces of furniture whole, you can maximize the space in your moving truck by dismantling them. While this will definitely save space, you might run the risk of losing some of the nails, screws, and other small parts that keep the whole thing together. Keeping those small components in a labeled Ziploc bag will help you keep all those important pieces accounted for.
“Use Ziplocs to hold screws, brackets, and remote controls, and label each one,” Christina from Black Box Storage Lockers recommends. “Tape it to the furniture or keep it in a “parts box.”
10. Prep items to be moved
Hiring professional movers is a great way to alleviate some of the stress that comes with moving. Just keep in mind that making their job easier will also make things easier on your bank account. Making sure all your items are ready to move will save you time, and time is money when it comes to limiting moving costs.
“A tip to help movers complete their tasks with efficiency would be to prepare contents to be moved,” says Justin Reed from Reed Moving. An example of this includes unplugging electronics like TVs and consolidating loose items into boxes. These adjustments make it easier for movers to complete the job in a timely manner.
11. Use materials you already have on hand as packing materials
Instead of buying bubble wrap or packing peanuts, you can use towels, blankets, socks, and even clothing to cushion fragile items. This not only saves money but is also eco-friendly. Wrap breakables like dishes and glassware in t-shirts or sweaters for an easy packing hack.
12. Keep drawers and containers closed with plastic wrap
Moving full dressers is an efficient way to pack clothes for a move. Instead of emptying dressers or organizers, wrap the entire unit tightly in plastic wrap. This keeps everything in place and saves time on both packing and unpacking. It also helps prevent small items from getting lost. Just be sure the piece of furniture isn’t too heavy to move as-is.
13. Declutter before moving
As you prepare to move your belongings out of your old home and into a new one, take the opportunity to assess what you do and don’t need. Whether that means donating clothes you haven’t worn in years or giving away that crockpot that you absolutely had to have but only used twice, now is the perfect time to declutter and make room for things you’ll need in your new home.
14. Create a moving checklist
The period leading up to moving day tends to be pretty chaotic, so anything you can do to keep your things (and your thoughts) in order will definitely help. A moving checklist is a great moving hack to make sure that everything you need is accounted for. From administrative matters like scheduling time off to getting all your moving supplies together, a checklist can keep on point during the days and weeks leading up to your move.
15. Use suitcases as moving boxes
Suitcases are a handy tool when it comes to moving because their wheels make it easy to maneuver around. You can fill them with clothes or heavier items that are more difficult to carry, then simply wheel them into your new home.