Moving? Here’s how to stay organized.

Is it just me, or does something go missing in every move? Or maybe several somethings. I’ve moved 17 times. I don’t mean I’ve lived in 17 different places, although sometimes I feel like I have. I mean I’ve packed up all my earthly possessions and moved them that many times. Between leaving my parent’s house for college, two dorms, one duplex, one janky apartment, one Disney College Program apartment, one internship, two townhouses, and now our farmhouse rental, I’ve got some serious experience under my belt. I’ve lived in three states, 5 cities. Moving can quickly overwhelm even the most organized person, and no matter how prepared you are, it has its unavoidable chaotic moments. Add in a global pandemic that complicates EVERYTHING, and you’ve got a real challenge on your hands. That’s why today I’m sharing all the tips I’ve learned along the way.

1. Group like items vs. packing by room: Packing by room makes sense to a point. (Ex. packing the kitchen last). But it can get confusing when you have the same types of items in a bunch of different boxes. Categorize your belongings before you start packing. Categories that are stored in multiple rooms should be packed together to make unpacking easier. For example: maybe you have books in multiple rooms. It will be so much easier to pack all your books together and have boxes labeled “books” than it will be to have boxes labeled “bedroom” and “guest room.” Moving is hectic, and you won’t want to have to think about where specific items were in your old space. Group them together so you have everything in front of you when you’re deciding how to store them in your new space.
2. Think like a professional mover: Pack books in small boxes so they don’t get too heavy. Place heavy items on the bottom of the box so lighter items don’t get damaged. Use towels, linens, and pillows to cushion boxes you aren’t able to fill up to the top. Wrap doors on furniture with plastic so they won’t open while being moved. Don’t pack anything that’s in a removable drawer. Take the drawers out to move the piece, then put them back in once it’s on the truck. Use your baskets, bins, and laundry hampers to collect random items that are left until the last minute. Do whatever you can to make the moving itself easier and smoother.
3. Label, label, LABEL: The most frustrating part of moving is getting to your new house, looking for something specific, and wondering “Where did it end up?!” (We’re looking at you, Ashton’s retainer.) Your future self will thank you if you take the time to write down EVERYTHING you’re putting in each box. Be detailed. List it out, especially if it’s a random assortment of items. Examples: Write “winter clothes, outerwear, scarves/hats/gloves, winter boots” instead of just “clothes.” Write “Lyla size 18 months & up” instead of just “baby stuff.” You should be able to tell what’s in the box without opening it. And know that if you ever write “Miscellaneous” or “Stuff” on a box, I will crash through your wall like the Kool-Aid man and knock the Sharpie out of your hand.
4. Always over-protect: If it’s breakable, assume that it will break and plan accordingly. Use foam wrap for dishware, bubble wrap for glass, and plastic wrap or newspaper for anything questionable. You can spend your time, money, and effort protecting what you have or cleaning it up and replacing it when it breaks.
5. Invest wisely: Moving can get expensive fast. Choose where to invest to make sure your items get to their destination safely and without damage. If you’re using a professional moving company, look into their pricing and service offerings. It may make more sense to go ahead and pay them to pack up your items as well as load them. This would be a great option if you’re in a position where you simply don’t have the time to dedicate to packing up carefully. If you’re doing the move yourself, don’t skimp on materials. Good quality boxes, tape, and protective wraps will ensure that even in a DIY move, your belongings are protected.

These tips have served me well over the years. I’ve never had anything get irreversibly damaged, and 99% of my stuff seems to make the trip. For some reason there are always some clothes that seem to enter the spirit realm before we can reach our destination. Any moving hacks that have saved you? Drop them in the comments!