As the countdown to moving day begins, you might feel swamped by an avalanche of tasks: sorting, packing, contract formalities, setting up utilities in the new place, updating your address, and the list goes on. It’s natural to feel a tad overwhelmed. Yet, amid the chaos, solutions like storage facilities can be your saving grace.
Opting for a storage facility, especially ones like self-storage in North York, can dramatically ease the moving-day strain. It offers you the flexibility of moving items at a pace that suits you.
In particular, packing can be daunting during a move, but it doesn’t have to be. Are you searching for guidance on how to pack efficiently for your move? We have valuable advice to help you make the most of your packing process. Read on for some helpful tips.
Prepare the Packing Supplies You Need
A successful move depends not just on the quantity but also on the quality and variety of packing supplies. Secure, sturdy boxes are paramount, underscoring the need to invest in or source reliable moving materials.
Plastic boxes? Ideal for your fragile items. If you’re hunting for free boxes, remember some stores, like certain grocery shops, restock once weekly. Timing is key. Your packing checklist might look like this:
- Small, medium, and large boxes
- Heavy-duty and wardrobe boxes
- Mirror and telescopic cardboard boxes (safest for mirrors and art)
DIY wardrobe box tip: A tall box plus a metal rail (available on eBay) does the trick. When moving machinery-related items, a counterbalance lift truck rear guard can be a protective addition. Also, stock up on:
- Packing tape, bubble wrap, styrofoam, old newspapers
- Stretch wrap, markers, plastic bags, labels
Several online platforms offer comprehensive moving house kits tailored to different property types. Alternatively, for a seamless experience, consider hiring a packing service from a reputed removal company. Aside from having multiple kinds of boxes suitable for different items, their professional touch can also be reassuring.
Declutter and Donate
Moving is more than just a physical transition—it’s an opportunity for a fresh start. One of the best preparatory steps you can take is to declutter. Shed the excess and only take what truly matters to your new home.
You might be surprised by the many items you’ve accumulated over the years, many of which you might no longer need. Hosting a garage sale is an excellent way to find new homes for these items and earn some extra cash. If you’re more tech-savvy, listing items on eBay can widen your potential buyer base.
However, not everything needs to be sold. Donating unwanted items to charity can be a fulfilling way to give back, ensuring your belongings continue to serve a purpose elsewhere.
Lastly, if you’ve roped in friends to help with the move, offering them first dibs on anything you want to part with is a generous gesture. They’re giving their time and energy, so it’s an excellent way to say thanks. And, of course, sealing the deal with some pizza or drinks after a long day of packing can be the cherry on top.
Begin Packing Sooner Than You Think
How long it takes to pack up your entire home is primarily influenced by the sheer volume of your belongings. However, a recurring theme in many packing advice articles, including ours, is the recommendation to commence packing much earlier than you might initially assume.
For spacious homes, starting about two months ahead and packing a box each day should set you on the right track. On the other hand, for more compact living spaces, a month of preparation typically suffices. While there’s no strict rule or definitive timeline, the central message is clear: the earlier, the better.
Maximize Your Available Space
Efficiently using the space inside a moving truck or storage unit can make a difference in your moving experience. Storing elongated items vertically, for instance, is a smart move to free up more floor space. If you want this kind of expertise seamlessly integrated into your moving process, consider hiring one of the most reputable moving companies in Toronto, like Inner City Moving and Storage company. Their seasoned professionals are masters at spatial organization – think of it as real-life 3D Tetris!
Beyond just organizing, it’s pivotal to ensure that items are wrapped and stored correctly to protect against potential hazards like moisture. When you disassemble furniture for storage or transport, remember to attach smaller components, such as screws, directly to their larger counterparts. This foresight eliminates the frantic search for tiny pieces when it’s time to reassemble.
Tackle One Room at a Time
A golden rule of packing that sometimes falls by the wayside is the systematic approach of addressing one room at a time. The debate over packing items according to room or category continues. While the best method largely depends on personal preference, we strongly advocate for a room-by-room approach. Packing in this manner allows you to maintain order and provide clarity to your movers or helpers when it comes time to unload the boxes.
Make a Comprehensive Inventory List
An inventory list can be invaluable for those with extensive collections, be it books, CDs, or cherished trinkets. While simple labels like “Books” might suffice for some boxes, specificity becomes crucial for items with greater value or differentiation, like a curated literature collection scattered across different rooms. We advocate for creating meticulous inventory lists. Consider digitizing these lists, allowing you to access them conveniently from your phone. Simultaneously, printed versions can be adhered to their corresponding boxes, ensuring clarity and easy access during unpacking.
