Moving Hacks - Before you pack, while packing and during unpacking.
This article has you covered for all the best ideas around moving out of your apartment!
Moving to a new apartment can be an exciting new chapter in a person's life. But moving day itself can also be incredibly stressful.
Here are some of the best tips for getting ready to move out of your apartment.
Before you move
Start your moving process a week or two before moving day so you're not overwhelmed by everything that needs to get packed.
1. Declutter and donate
You don't want to move extra items that you won't use or can't fit in your new home. Take this move as an opportunity to declutter what you don't need. Either sell the items on a selling app for some extra cash or donate them to your local thrift shop.
2. Find free moving boxes
Moving can include a lot of unexpected costs, some of which are completely unnecessary. One of these is buying moving boxes. Clothing and grocery stores, as well as the Craigslist free section, are good places to find perfectly good boxes at no cost.
3. Plan your meals or eat out
If you are packing up your kitchen, be sure to plan your meals for the days your items are packed. You could prepare freezer meals that are easy to thaw and enjoy or just plan on eating out for a few nights.
4. Have a moving day bag
A moving day bag can be a lifesaver. Pack up everything you would need for a weekend trip. Include a change of clothes, toiletries, chargers and some cleaning supplies. Keep this bag in your car so that it doesn't get packed and lost in the back of the moving truck.
5. Have snacks accessible
Moving can be tiring. Be sure you have snacks and water to refuel when your energy gets low.
6. Fill holes in the wall with soap
Small holes in your apartment walls, though seemingly insignificant, can cost you some money upon moving out. An easy moving hack is to fill them using a bar of soap. Just rub the hole with the bar until it's filled.
7. Be packed up before moving day
Make sure your boxes and bags are packed up before moving day. Movers are paid hourly, so if you're taking the time to pack boxes while they wait, it will cost you.
8. Measure the large items
A classic moving mistake is arriving at your new home to find that the couch won't fit through the door. Be sure you measure all your items and ensure they will fit in your new home.
9. Keep track of your tax-deductible moving expenses
If you are a member of the military or moving for a job, your moving expenses may be tax-deductible. Do some research to see if your situation qualifies. If so, be sure to keep a record of all your moving expenses.
Packing hacks
Packing is a chore dreaded by many, but it doesn't have to be. Read through these packing hacks to see which ones you can use for your next move.
10. Color-code
One of the hardest things when moving is to keep all your boxes organized. It's never easy to find things when you arrive at your new apartment. This can be made simpler through a color-coding system that'll let you glance at each box and immediately know which room the contents belong in.
11. Take inventory
Along with color-coding the boxes, writing an inventory of what's in each box can be helpful. Write this on the side of the box because the top will be covered. If this sounds too time-consuming, an easy moving hack is to take a photo of what's in each box. This way you can look back at the photos to find what you're searching for.
12. Cut handles on any boxes that don't have them
It can be hard to pick up a box from the bottom, especially if it's heavy. Add handles to any box by using a box cutter to carve a triangle with the flat side on top and point facing down.
13. Keep knives safe in oven mitts
Knives can be hard to pack and pose a danger to anyone moving them. Keep yourself safe by storing them in protective oven mitts.
14. Vertically pack plates
A moving disaster that you definitely want to avoid is broken dishes. If you pack your plates vertically, like records, they'll be less likely to break in transit.
15. Pack pots with kitchen supplies
Another packing hack is to put any obscure kitchen supplies, like spices or measuring cups, in your pots. This way you can unpack them all at once in your new kitchen.
16. Use rubber bands to keep the lids on pots
Pot lids can be difficult to keep on. To prevent them from sliding off in transit, use rubber bands. Wrap the rubber band around one of the pot's handles, twist it, wrap it around the lid handle, twist again and wrap it around the pot's other handle.
17. Pack clothes on hangers
Use your clothing storage to your advantage. Rather than removing your clothes from hangers and folding them, only to hang them back up at the new home, keep them on the hangers. Simply zip-tie the hangers together and cover with a trash bag or plastic wrap.
18. Pack cotton balls in your makeup
When transporting cosmetics, makeup is prone to breaking. Protect your powder by packing cotton balls in your compacts.
19. Cover liquids with plastic wrap
Imagine picking up a box to bring into your new house only to find it soaked with shampoo. Avoid any liquid spills by removing the lid, covering the top with plastic wrap and then screwing the lid back on.
20. Remove hardware when possible
If your drawers have handles that stick out, unscrew the hardware and place the handles on the inside; this will help to prevent them from scratching other items in the move.
21. Keep any disassembled furniture parts in labeled bags
When moving, you may need to disassemble big items like your bed. If you remove any screws or small parts, be sure to put them in a labeled sandwich bag. This way you'll have all the parts in one place when you need to put the item back together.
22. Use your drawers as storage
Get crafty with what you use as a container. Dresser drawers can be packed with clothes or other items.
23. Bubble wrap mirrors and glass
If you thought plates were difficult to keep intact, wait until you have to pack some mirrors and glass picture frames. In these instances, you'll have to pack each item separately, wrapping it in bubble wrap or packing paper like a present. Make sure you label the outside of the box “fragile.”
24. Transport valuable items yourself
If there is a valuable heirloom that you are nervous about the movers handling, consider moving it yourself. Pack your valuable items in your car so you can safely transport them.
25. Keep a file of important documents accessible
Keep any important documents, such as your social security card or passport, separate from the rest of your items. You don't want to lose these in the chaos of moving day.
26. Create your own box for the TV
Televisions are another tricky customer when it comes to moving. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use, such as covering the screen with a towel and building a custom box for it. Always remember to keep your flat screen sitting upright. Next time you buy a TV, keep the original packing material and you can use it next time you move.
27. Take a photo of wired electronics
Some electronics, such as TVs, have a lot of wires. If you plan on removing the wires to transport them, be sure to take a photo so you know how to put them back together.
28. Organize your cords in toilet paper rolls
A popular moving hack that can save you time is repurposing old toilet paper rolls. Organize your cords in these rolls to keep them from getting tangled in transportation.
29. Use your towels and sheets to your advantage
Linens take up a lot of space in boxes that could be used for other things, but they can be put to good use when moving. Wrap your more fragile objects in your towels and sheets; this way, you can pack everything and save yourself some bubble wrap. Two birds with one stone!
30. Utilize your suitcase
Pack your suitcase with heavier items. It has wheels which will make it easier to transport than a heavy box.
31. Have your movers place the boxes in the correct room
When you arrive in the new house, instead of piling all the boxes in the living room, put them in the correct room. If you color-coded them, it will be easy to determine what goes where. This moving hack will make your life much easier when it's time to unpack the boxes.
Unpacking tips
Unpacking can be just as much work as packing. Set yourself up for success with these unpacking hacks.
32. Take photos of the new house before you unpack
Before you unpack your belongings, take photos of the new home. It's important to document any scratches or home defaults so that you aren't charged for them when you move out.
33. Get rid of unpacked boxes as you go
Boxes take up a lot of room. Instead of unpacking in a cluttered room of empty boxes, break them down as you go. Once they lay flat, you can stack them. This will clear up space as well as make you feel more accomplished.
34. Take personal time to relax
Oftentimes unpacking is as tedious as packing. Be sure to take time to relax and relieve stress during this process. Take a break at a coffee shop or try to fit in a yoga class.
Try these moving hacks today!
Moving can be intimidating, but with these moving hacks, you'll have all your items in your new home in no time.
At D&V Movers we strive to make sure every move is stress free and easy.
Professional movers can really take the effort out of moving apartments. Especially when it comes to tight corners and big stairways.
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