Moving isn’t easy, and there’s a good reason why most people hate the level of preparation that’s associated with moving their home (or office) from one place to the next. People don’t like change. However, there are ways to make moving less of a traumatic experience and more of a quick pack-up-and-go endeavor. Would you like to make your move quicker and more efficient? This moving guide is full of tips that could save you time and frustration before your next move is done.
Storage Tips: Moving Guide
Moving: Even Research Says It’s Difficult
Moving a home or office forces us to pack up our most essential items from a familiar place – and makes us unpack them at a new, often unfamiliar one. Research says that moving can be traumatic, even when it’s a planned event.
Moving is stressful for most people. However, the good news is that moving can be easier with this moving guide and a few adaptations.
Spring Cleaning Time
Use this time to lighten your load, and decide what items are necessary for the next destination. Then, discard or donate unneeded items. One reason moving is stressful for people is because of the sheer volume of the things they imagine they will have to pack.
As a rule, discard anything you haven’t thought of in the past three months. You’ll have less to pack, and less to stress about.
Group Items Together
Group similar items when packing. Make sure that like items go into the same box or group with the right “theme” marker. Sometimes, finding the lid for a bottle can seem tedious when packing, but it saves a lot of frustration during the later, unpacking phase.
Moving tires you out, and the unpacking phase is often more stressful because we’re running on our last energy at this point. However, when packed properly, finding the box with the kitchen stuff can be done in minutes and not hours. An inventory list for packed boxes can be a helpful tool as well.
A color-coding system can be helpful and effective. You can assign colors to specific rooms, or household members. Match the colors with a master list.
Get Enough Moving Supplies and Don’t Forget The Packing Tape
Double-check that you have enough supplies, including cardboard boxes and tape before packing your first box. Having to stop and go to the post office to buy more tape at the last second is a great way to increase your stress levels. Sometimes, you might even find that you’ve packed the last of the tape into a box by accident.
Always have extra, and save yourself some time. Using items you already have on hand can save you money on moving expenses. For packing fragile items, use:
- Blankets
- Cushions
- Packing peanuts
- Bubble wrap
- Newspaper
Some of these items can be ordered in bulk and will be your new best friends for packing fragile or breakable items.
Boxes and Crates: What’s the Difference?
Decide how much you have to spend on packing material, and make sure you have enough to pack and secure everything. Your choice..boxes or crates.
- Moving boxes – Cardboard boxes can be easily found. They come in many different sizes. However, they can be fragile and tear.
- Crates – Moving crates are more expensive than boxes. They guarantee superior protection for important or high-value items. Crates can also be stacked. They also protect against pests and moisture.
Label Everything
Label absolutely everything that you’ve packed. Ensure all items are listed on a moving checklist. When loading the moving truck for the final move, check and uncheck the list. Do the same when arriving at your end destination for the offloading.
This ensures nothing gets lost in the chaos, and you don’t have to wonder if you’ve left something behind.
Some professional moving companies also ask for an item-based list for insurance reasons. This saves you the time of documenting what you’ve packed.
The Wonder of Vacuum Packing
Vacuum packing is a great way to preserve:
- Clothing
- Curtains
- Bedding
- Items that are best kept away from exposure to light, dust, or air
- You can even vacuum-seal some foods
These items will be fine once you’ve reached the unpacking part of your moving journey.
Not sure how to pack something? Vacuum pack it, and it might work.
Schedule Everything
Pack everything long before you’re pressed to do it at the last minute, and make sure that you leave a “time gap” if there’s something you might have forgotten anyway. Schedule the exact arrival and departure, and watch the weather and traffic report on the date of your move.
Wrapping Up
There’s no question that moving day can be stressful. However, following the tips in this moving guide will make the moving process a lot easier. Making a plan, gathering your supplies, and asking for some help from friends or a moving service is always a good idea. These little tips will have you prepared before your move date.
Clark Storage – Best and Most Secured Storage Units in the Area
Our family business objective is to provide you with the best service and facilities in a secure location. As you get to know our facilities, you will note they were selected for your ease of access, location, and security. Please let us know how we can continue to improve your storage needs and fulfill your high expectations. We have storage units in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and Pacific Junction. Contact us today. We are also offering a Move-In Referral Program, click here for more information.
