Organizing Tips to Make Your Next Move Smooth

If moving day is drawing closer and closer and you still don’t have anything organized, or any idea as to how to go about getting all of your things in order and ready to go, read on for some helpful tips that will help to make the move as painless as possible.

Supplies You’ll Need:

- Boxes, all shapes and sizes
- Dolly/hand-truck for moving heavy items
- Packing tape for securing and strengthening boxes
- Marking pen for clearly labeling each box
- Flat pieces of cardboard for sliding furniture and for using between heavy pieces while moving
- Old blankets also for protecting large items
- Garbage bags and trash cans
- Small sandwich bags
- Packing material (Padding, plastic bubble wrap, old newspapers, etc.)
- Rope or bungee cords

Having a garage or yard sale is the perfect thing to do just before you move for many reasons, including to help defray moving costs and also to cut down on the amount of stuff you’ll be taking along with you.

Sell or donate what you haven’t used in 12 months or no longer have a need for.

Packing it All Up

When it comes time to actually pack, use as many boxes as possible, rather than garbage bags, as they can be reinforced using packing tape and neatly stacked atop of one another. Boxes should be full, but not bulging at the sides and be sure to include adequate packing material around your fragile items. As far as heavy things like books and photo albums are concerned, those should be packed inside of small boxes to keep the weight down.

If you can, keep clothing or bedding inside of dresser drawers during the move to free up extra space. Put blankets and pillows or soft toys and stuffed animals inside of garbage bags and use them as cushioning between items like mirrors or other breakables for during the move.

If possible, remove all the legs from furniture and wrap pieces with old blankets or plastic bubble wrap, taking care not to put tape directly on any wood surfaces. Pillows and couch cushions are also great for putting between pieces of furniture.

Don’t Forget To:

- Notify All Subscriptions and Services: Stop delivery or provide your new address for the newspaper and notify any services like cleaning or lawn care as well as all of the utility companies including cable, electric, gas, water, and telephone.

- Complete a Change of Address Form: Remember to file a change of address form with your local post office. If you’re not sure of your new address yet, just ask them to forward your mail to the postal office in the new city. You’ll also want to notify friends and family of your new address and have it changed on your driver’s license and financial accounts.

- Plan Ahead for Your Pets: Make arrangements to have them boarded at a kennel or pet sitters until you’ve got everything cleared out and back in the new house. Pets, both cats and dogs, are often stressed out by all of the activity and you certainly don’t want to have a lost animal on your hands on moving day.