Simplifying Your Move: Tips to Keep Yourself Organized
Guest Contribution by Gabrielle Gardiner
Moving to a new home might be one of the most hectic processes you ever go through. It’s all too easy to get disorganized and overwhelmed when surrounded by boxes and scattered documents.
Here are several moving tips you can use to organize your physical space, as well as your mental space, to make for a seamless (and maybe even enjoyable) moving process.
Challenges of Staying Organized While Moving
The process of moving your belongings from one house to another is bound to feel a bit overwhelming. Here are some challenges to anticipate before starting to pack up and move out.
- Limited space. You only have so much space in your house. Keeping boxes of related items together can prove challenging when you’re already struggling to find walking space. Plan ahead by designating specific spaces for each item before you start packing.
- Distractions. Tensions can be high on moving day and in the days approaching it. A phone call, a conversation with your neighbor, or kids demanding attention may pull you away from the task at hand and cause some added frustration—especially if you’re moving with people who are itching to get the task done quickly.
- Forgetfulness. It’s all too easy to lose your keys and wallet last minute when there are boxes from wall to wall. Remember to keep the essentials in a separate designated space so that you don’t forget them when you need them most.
- Working with others. “Wait, I thought Ben already moved the couch!” Miscommunication is easy when you have multiple people trying to complete the same project each in their own way. It’s important to be explicit and communicative with all involved to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Organizational Tactics to Optimize Your Move
Taking the extra effort to keep the moving process organized will pay off generously by minimizing stress and the potential for mistakes.
- Label and color code. Labeling your boxes should be a no-brainer, but we’d recommend taking it one step further by using color-coded tape or labels to group each box by room.
- Keep a binder. Fill a master binder with receipts and important documents so that you have every record you need on-hand.
- Use an inventory checklist. Each time you pack something away, check it off the list. This will give you peace of mind as you think through everything you wanted to pack.
Group boxes by room using color-coded labels. You will thank yourself when unpacking.
Budget-Friendly Organizational Moving Tips
Moving on a budget can be challenging, but there are several tips and tricks that will help you keep costs low throughout the process.
- Re-use old boxes. Decide what you’re ready to get rid of and empty those boxes to use for moving. Consider selling the unused items at a garage or yard sale for some extra cash.
- Skip the moving truck—use friends and family. Rather than paying for a moving company to help organize and transport your stuff, ask friends to help out.
- Fill every space in your car. If you’re moving within driving distance, save money in gas by tucking small items under seats and even strapping bigger items to the top of your car.
Maybe you don’t have the time, desire or health to do this by yourself. If you would like help, Queen B Organizing can do everything from packing, to discarding, donating and selling unwanted items, to coordinate the moving company. If you are staying local, we can unpack and organize your belongings in your new home. Read about our packing services by visiting our website.
Also, check out these free downloadable and printable resources to help make your move more organized.
Are you planning a move? Let Queen B Organizing help you prepare! Realtors across the Willamette Valley are indicating a high volume of sales for the spring and summer. While the pandemic has created some major ripples in the real estate industry that will likely be in place for the foreseeable future, you can still sell your home at a price you’re happy with in this market.
