8 Moving Tips and Tricks That Will Make Your Move Easier
Learn how to make your move easier with these moving tips and tricks!
Over the past 6 years, I’ve lived 8 different cities across Canada. With each move, I’ve learned more about how to move efficiently and tame some of the chaos that naturally comes with moving. Moving can be a huge hassle, but is inevitable for most people! In this blog post, I share my moving tips and hacks that I’ve picked up over the last many (many…many) moves! These tips will help make your move smoother, and avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made during past moves.
This post is all about moving tips and tricks.
1. Set a timeline and book early
Moving has a lot of steps, which can be really overwhelming to think about all at once. I always find that writing down a timeline with key events helps break the move down into smaller chunks.
Make a list of key dates such as when you need to move out of your current apartment, what date you get the keys to your new apartment, etc. Seeing all the dates will also help you flag where you need to book things, for example:
- Book a moving company, or truck rental if you’re doing it yourself
- Book a cleaner, or schedule time to clean if you’re doing it yourself
- Schedule internet provider to set up wifi in new apartment
- Book accommodations (if there’s a gap between when you move out vs. when you can move into your new place)
If you’re moving at a popular time (ex. May 1 or September 1), things like moving trucks can get booked up early. So, I suggest booking early to avoid this problem!
2. Pack a “moving week” suitcase
Another helpful tip is to pack a small suitcase to use during moving week. Once you have your whole apartment packed away in boxes, you definitely don’t want to be digging through those neatly packed boxes to find a shirt to wear for the next day. Plus, it can take a few days to get completely unpacked in your new apartment so you may not have access to everything right away.
That’s why I usually pack about a week’s worth of clothes, toiletries, shoes, etc. into a carry-on suitcase that I can use until I get settled into my new apartment.
3. Don’t forget about moving supplies!
In my first few moves, I really underestimated the importance of getting organized with all your moving supplies. Scrambling at the last minute because you forgot foam wrap for your breakables can be really stressful. Make sure you’re equipped with moving essentials ahead of time! Packing supplies that I’ve found worthwhile include:
Buy Packing Tape With Dispenser
Tip: The cost of moving supplies can really add up. If you want to save money during the move, look for these items second hand! In my recent move, I actually bought a lot of these supplies from Facebook Marketplace. Often people who have just moved sell their supplies at a fraction of the cost they would be brand new. This is a great way to save some money during the move!
4. Clearly label and track where items are going
When you’re packing up your apartment, don’t just throw everything into random boxes and worry about it when you get to your new house. In the past, I’ve just assumed I will remember exactly where I put everything…but I can almost guarantee you will forget. Clearly label your boxes and keep track of where all your stuff is on a list. Trust me, this make your unpacking process 1000x times easier.
Label the sides and top of your boxes with both its contents and the room it’s going to. For example, label a box “KITCHEN – dishes & cutlery”. When you’re moving in, this will help you know where to drop off each box and avoid having to shuffle around boxes later.
In addition to labelling boxes, it’s super helpful to keep a master list of where your items are. Keeping a list prevents you from losing track of items. For example, I simply jotted down in my notes app things like “running clothes- grey suitcase” or “towels and linens- clear bin”. This is especially helpful if you’re putting any items into storage and may need to grab something from it.
5. Sort everything into “keep”, “sell”, and “donate” piles
It sounds obvious, but one of the best ways to simplify your move is to have less stuff. It’s incredibly annoying to spend a bunch of time moving stuff, only to get rid of it as soon as you’re in your new home. So, before you move make sure to go through all the items in your home and decide what you want to keep, sell, and donate.
Often, the “sell” category gets overlooked. I had lots of miscellaneous items like trays, games and pillows that were in great condition but not really my style anymore. I listed these items on Facebook Marketplace/Kijiji, and was able to put money earned from these sales towards purchasing new items for my new home.
6. Avoid buying new things
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the tip above. On top of sorting through everything you have, it’s really helpful to stop bringing in new items as much as possible. This can apply to lots of categories like clothes, skincare, and home decor – but I think one of the most helpful areas to focus on is your food!
Unless you’re moving somewhere close by, items in your pantry, fridge, and freezer can be a real hassle to move. About a month before my most recent move, I started to intentionally plan meals around using up what I already had. Slowly clearing out my food items helped save space since I didn’t have to fill boxes with unused pantry items. It was also great for the environment since I didn’t have to throw out any partially used items that I couldn’t transport!
7. Use available storage for your move
If you’re limited on space during your move, I highly recommend you use items with built-in storage to save space. I got creative during my move from Ontario to BC – for example, I tucked away sweaters in a storage bench. This will save you space (which saves money), and reduce the number of boxes you need in your moving truck.
8. Protect breakables with items from your apartment
Another great way to save space is to use items like tea towels and clothing to wrap your breakables! Your breakables are protected, PLUS you’ll save space and money by using things you have on-hand.
This post was all about moving tips and tricks.
I hope you found these apartment moving tips helpful! Comment below any tips that you have to help each other out.
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