You’re in a rush. You need to move last minute, and you don’t know where to start. There are so many things that need to be done, but you don’t have the time or knowledge to do them all. What packing materials do you need? Which room should you prepare for moving day first? Where can you find quality movers? So much to do. So little time. Nobody can blame you if this ordeal drives you insane but don’t worry! This guide has compiled the best easy tips for moving last-minute that will make your transition much smoother than you’ve anticipated. Dig in!
Create a To-Do List
To-do lists have been around for ages. They never fail to help you get organized and on the right track. If you’re in a rush, it’s even more important to keep track of your packing progress. Here’s a step-by-step process to optimize your list:
- Write down a quick rundown of your household inventory.
- Identify your most valuable items, necessities, and sentimental objects.
- Prioritize the order of your moving checklist so you can pack what’s most important first. You also want to look at box sizes and consider how easy it will be for you to lift each item on the unloading side of things.
- Write down a schedule on what rooms to pack in order.
- Once you’re done writing down your list, break big projects into small steps and set a timer for each box. This way, you’ll stay on schedule and stay motivated to complete the full list.
Involve Everyone
Two heads are better than one. Four hands are even better than two! Even if people are only taking part for moral support, this is one way to take some weight off your shoulders. To make sure everyone pitches in (even the kids).
Call some close friends or family members and ask if they can help you out with your move. You might be surprised at how many people are more than willing to lend a hand, especially when you’re facing a stressful moment in your life. More importantly, it’ll get you done faster so you can have more time taking care of more complicated aspects.
Start Packing Early
They say the early bird gets the worm, so wake up early and get packing. If possible, you can set aside a few hours before work or school to load up. If you have a day or two before you are scheduled to move, get errands done that day so you can dedicate an entire weekend to packing.
Pack Clothes Strategically
Clothing is what takes up most of your time when packing. This is especially true when you’re in a big household, and everyone likely has different types of clothing to pack up. But don’t waste your time! Rolling clothes rather than folding them is fast, easy, and keeps your shirts from wrinkling or getting creased against one another. You also want to make sure there’s space between each item for airflow, which helps reduce musty odors after being packed away for long periods of time.
Pack The Kitchen First
The kitchen is probably the room that will hold you up during the move. There are so many objects that you might not know where to start. You don’t want to forget anything you need, but you also don’t want to pack the wrong things and have a bunch of stuff leftover.
Your best bet is to pack your kitchen first if possible. Why? So you dedicate fresh energy to boxing up the most complicated section of your home. Before packing anything else up, be sure to pick out all the essential appliances and utensils. Avoid duplicates and malfunctioning gadgets. Also, take pictures of the cord arrangement for electronics if you’re not a tech-savvy person. This will help save time when setting up your new home.
Hire Professional Movers
When you’re lost on what to do next, it’s time to call the experts. Hiring professional movers for your last-minute move will guarantee that the process goes smoothly and that you’re not in any danger of hurting yourself or damaging your belongings.
Professional movers are adept at handling all kinds of household items, including large pieces of furniture, appliances, and electronics. They’ll also be much faster than if you try to do it yourself. To add, they can insure most of your belongings so you won’t have to shake your peace of mind.
However, be sure to double-check before you agree to a deal with anyone. There are many rogue movers lurking around, waiting to rip you off your money. Be sure you understand how the process works and know the different ways to access if your potential movers are legitimate or not.
Color-Code Boxes
This isn’t primarily about packing but about unpacking later in the move. It’s useless to pack quickly but have trouble setting your stuff up at your new home. To avoid this, get different color markers to label your boxes according to a room you assign. For example, use blue markers for boxes with items belonging to the kitchen, green for the bedroom, and yellow for the living room. You might also want to reserve the red marker for boxes filled with fragile objects and valuable ones.
Keep Calm and Pack On
Along with hiring a moving company, it’s best to try and keep your cool as you continue packing for the move. Keeping calm will help prevent more items from going missing or causing damage. Also, make sure that you have plenty of boxes on hand to pack your belongings in. Enjoy the process and best of luck with your move.