Moving to a new home? 12 tips for your smoothest move yet

There’s no way around it — moving is a lot of work. Though moving to a new home can be one of life’s most exciting events, it can also feel physically and mentally exhausting.

Whether relocating to your dream home or downsizing to something cozier, the packing and moving experience always boils down to good planning and organization. 

As a residential real estate attorney, I've seen firsthand how a well-organized move can ease the transition and make settling into your new home a breeze. Here are some expert tips to help you pack and move like a pro.

1. Start Early and Plan Ahead

Why It’s Important: Starting early allows you to tackle packing in manageable chunks, reducing stress and avoiding last-minute chaos.

Tips:

• Create a Timeline: Outline key dates, such as your moving day, and set deadlines for packing each room. It’s wise to round up when thinking about how much time packing will take. 
• Decide What Help is Needed: Depending on your circumstances, you may need to make arrangements for hiring professional movers (or finding a hotel to stay in for a cross-country move, hiring a dog or babysitter, asking a friend to help, etc. Decide what is needed early on so you don’t risk last-minute stress.
• Determined Necessary Equipment and Supplies: As part of your plan, decide what equipment and supplies you will need to rent or buy — everything from moving trucks and pods to tools for disassembling furniture to hand trucks and rolling carts to tape and boxes.

2. Declutter Before You Pack

Why It’s Important: Moving is the perfect time to lighten your load. The less you have, the easier and cheaper your move will be.

Tips:

• Sort and Purge: Start the packing process by going through each room and deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.
• Sell What You Can: These days, it’s easier to quickly sell unwanted household furniture and decor online with platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist. The money you make selling old stuff can go toward buying furniture for your new home. 

3. Pick Your Boxes Strategically: 

Why it’s important: Not all boxes are created equal. Choosing the right type and size makes a big difference in packing and moving. 

• Get Plenty of Boxes: You’re probably going to need more boxes than you think you will, so make sure to not skimp. You can save money on your next move by getting reusable boxes. 
• Choose the Right Size: Heavier items like books should go in smaller boxes, while lighter items like pillows, towels, and linens can fill larger boxes.
• Consider Using Bankers Boxes: This is a big moving hack. Bankers boxes are sturdy and include side handles and liftable lids, meaning no tape and easy carrying.
• Consider Moving Bags: For some items, particularly, linens and clothes, moving bags may be the most convenient option for packing and moving.

4. Pack Smart and Label Everything

Why It’s Important: Proper packing ensures your belongings arrive safely and helps you find things quickly when you unpack.

Tips:

• Room-by-Room Packing: This can save a lot of time unpacking. Group items from each room together and label the box with its content and destination room.
• Keep a Master List of Boxes: If you’re moving a large amount of boxes, you may want to number them or use a color-coded system

5. Create an Essentials Box

Why It’s Important: Your first night in a new home can be more comfortable with immediate access to essentials.

Tips:

• Pack Essentials Separately: Include items like toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, medications, and chargers.
• Label It Clearly: Make sure this box is easy to find among the sea of other boxes

6. Consider Hiring Professional Movers

Why It’s Important: Hiring movers will outsource much of the work and save you time, effort, and potential injuries. It will increase the cost of your move, but the reduced stress may be more than worth it depending on your circumstances.

Tips:

• Research and Compare: Get quotes from multiple moving companies and check reviews.
• Book Early: Especially during peak moving seasons, secure your movers well in advance.

7. Modify Items to Ease Moving

Why it’s important: If you don’t hire professionals, you can make moving certain furniture easier and safer with adjustments in some cases. 

Tips: 

• Take Feet Off Couches: Removing the feet (if possible) makes fitting couches through doorways easier and reduces the chances of scratching a wall. 
• Remove Drawers From Dressers: This can give you a better place to grip the dresser before you re-insert the drawers after moving. 
• Put Clothes in Garbage Bags: Cluster hangers together, slip the hanging clothes into a bag and tie the bag around the top of the hangers. And try to use bags with a distinct color to avoid any disastrous confusion

8. Protect Your Valuables

Why It’s Important: Special care is needed for fragile and valuable items to prevent damage during the move. You can also avoid any injuries by moving heavy items safely. 

Tips:

• Use Bubble Wrap and Padding: Wrap delicate items carefully and fill empty spaces with packing material.
• Pack Important Documents Separately: Keep essential documents like passports, medical records, and legal papers in a separate, easily accessible box.

9. And Protect Your Body

Why It’s Important: Moving isn’t just physically exerting, it’s also a form of exercise that your body (and mind) probably aren’t used to.

Tips:

• Always Bend at the Knees: Lifting heavier items by bending at the knees to avoid placing strain and tension on the back. 
• Take Breathers and Water Breaks: Take breaks and stay hydrated as you would when exercising. When in doubt, if you’re fatigued, it’s safest to not take the next load until you’re ready.

10. Stay Organized on Moving Day

Why It’s Important: A well-organized move ensures everything goes smoothly and reduces stress.

Tips:

• Keep an Inventory: Check off items as they are loaded and unloaded.
• Supervise the Move: Be present to answer questions and provide guidance.
• Collect Number for Utilities: You’ll likely need to cancel or transfer utilities when you move, so make sure to have contact information handy to avoid any lapses in service or errant charges. Utilities may include cable and internet, water and sewer, gas, electricity, satellite, security system, trash and phone.

11. Mind Any Move-Out Requirements

Why It’s Important: Whether you’re moving from an apartment or house, there will probably be things you have to do before saying a final goodbye. 

Tips:

• Confirm Requirements: If you’re moving from an apartment, check your lease language or talk to your landlord to see what you will need to do as far as cleaning, returning keys, etc. If you’re moving from a home, check with your realtor to see what is required for move out. 
• Make a Checklist: It’s hard to remember every last task with all the packing and moving, so make sure to make a checklist ahead of time to avoid penalties for unfulfilled requirements. 

12. Unpack Strategically

Why It’s Important: A methodical unpacking approach helps you settle into your new home more efficiently.

Tips:

• Start with Essentials: Unpack the essentials box first, then tackle boxes for the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Take Your Time: Focus on one room at a time and avoid rushing the process.
• Keep List of Future Needs: Each home is different, and as you unpack, you may realize that you need something new to make your home work for you — balcony furniture, window curtains, etc. Unpacking is a good time to keep a list of everything you’ll need moving forward. 

Final Thoughts

Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With careful planning, smart packing, and the right help, you can make your move smooth and stress-free.