Author: BreezeMaxWeb

If you are moving for the first time, let us be the first to tell you that it’s going to be very exciting, but it can also be very stressful if you don’t plan properly. There are a lot of things you have to keep track of including move dates, renting moving trucks, recruiting friends and family to help you move, and actually packing all of your stuff so it’s ready to be moved when the day comes. Luckily, Smooth Moves offers packing and unpacking services to make your move easy and convenient! This way you can lay back and relax, knowing that everything is taken care of. Most importantly, when booking our packing services your belongings will be covered by our insurance.

Are you looking to take matters in your own hands instead? Read this crash course on packing your things so your move can go as smooth as possible.

Sort through what you want to bring to your new place

The first step in the packing process is to actually decide what you want to pack! Go through all of your things and make a list to categorize what you are bringing with you and what you don’t need anymore. If you want to sell those items you don’t need anymore, you should start doing that now too, since it may take a long time to sell certain items.

With the items that you are keeping, start getting organized by collecting enough boxes to fit all of your items. You can also start to pack your non-essential items, like your winter gear or out of season sports equipment if you are moving in the summer.

Collect all the boxes you can find

Call your friends, ask your coworkers, and scavenger your local grocery stores to find as many boxes as you can. You will be surprised at how many boxes you’ll need to fit all your stuff, you can never have too many boxes!

When you pack your boxes, label the tops and sides of each box with where you want those items to go. For example, when packing up the kitchen, label those boxes “Kitchen” so you and the movers know where to place each box during the move.

If you want to be even more organized, make a list of all of your things and mark which box you are putting it in so you can find it easier after you move. For example, when you put your silverware in a kitchen box, mark that box as “Kitchen #5” then on the list next to silverware, write that number beside it. You don’t have to do this step, but it will make it easier to find everything you need when you are unpacking!

Pack with a purpose

Pack all your items carefully into your labeled boxes. If you are packing fragile items, wrap them in towels or clothes and mark the box as fragile. Place them on their edge when you put them you are packing them so there is little risk of breaking.

You should also pack a “first night” box. Moving is an exhausting ordeal and most people don’t want to unpack everything after a whole day of moving. Pack a first night box that contains all the essentials you use at night including toothbrushes, towels, pillows, blankets, phone chargers, etc. This way you can just unpack that box and leave the rest for tomorrow without searching through every box to find what you need! Need more help? Call our moving services!

It is no secret that the majority of us have way too much stuff in our homes. It is not uncommon to find our houses crammed with it, in fact, storage is one of the biggest complaints people have with their homes. However, if you are willing to change your perspective a bit, you can change your life and way of living.

Taking some time to declutter is your opportunity to clear out unwanted items in your home and part with the old clothes, toys, old decorations, collectibles, and anything else laying around your home that no longer serves your life.

Here are some great ways for you to unpack the baggage around what you own:

Acknowledge What You Can and Cannot Let Go Of

One of the biggest reasons that so many find decluttering to be so difficult is that it means parting with things that might mean more to us than we are even willing to admit to ourselves. Often, these objects that we are holding on to are actually stand-ins for different emotions. If you are able to recognize that your stuff is more than just stuff will help you address some of the underlying causes for why you just can’t seem to let go. Acknowledging this to yourself will also allow you to accept those emotions, therefore allowing yourself to give some of it up and move on from there.

Invest in Furniture That Does Twice the Work

To get rid of over-the-top furniture and clutter – that often are not really doing you any favors, and incorporate extra storage in every possible aspect of the room. Invest in a coffee table that opens up to store blankets, books, movies, and magazines. Side tables with drawers or cabinets are a good place to stick remotes and media. When it comes to furniture in a small space, functionality is key – and is important for furniture pieces of all sizes.

Do Not Hold on to Things Out of a Sense of Guilt or False Obligation

Simply because you received something as a gift a couple of years ago does not mean that you have to hold on to it forever. Yes, it’s nice that your friend bought that bright pink glittery “BEST FRIENDS” plaque, but if you do not like it – GET RID OF IT. If it is not something you that you truly love, the absolute best advice is to donate it to someone who could really use it.

Start with the Easiest Stuff and Go On From There

One of the reasons that so many people detest decluttering, is the idea of having to sort through everything they own and make some hard decisions. However, once it reaches a certain critical mass, decluttering and cleaning everything out can feel like a totally overwhelming job. When it begins to feel like this the best advice is to start early and take care of the easy stuff first. For example,  sort through the old mail or go through a laundry basket of clothes in an hour or two, that is a great first step. Then continue on with small steps, eventually, it will not feel overwhelming, but you will be motivated by the progress that you have made.