When you move house, it can be incredibly overwhelming. No matter how many lists you seem to be making, and jobs you seem to be handing out to friends and family, you just know that something is bound to get forgotten about. I’ve put together a list of the top 5 things that you need to remember when you’re moving house so that the process can go as smoothly as possible.
Keep easy access to daily necessities
Sometimes we can get carried away when we’re packing, and we finish our last packed box by taping it all closed. While this can feel satisfying, you may have just caused a problem for your future self! Make a list of the things you’re going to need quick access to, and then find somewhere that is easily accessible to keep those items safely together. You’re definitely going to thank yourself later!
Don’t try and do it all on your own
It can be tempting to just take things on and do them yourself because doing things yourself is a very British thing to do – especially when you’re already paying so much money on the actual new home, to begin with. However, paying for a man and van service is actually such a valuable thing to do, that you really need to make it a priority. You might end up spending a bit of money on them, but its worth it for the extra time you’re going to give yourself, and the reassurance that everything is going to arrive safely and securely.
In the end, you might find that you’ve ended up with a new home that’s not quite what you were expecting, or that you’ve had to deal with an issue that you wouldn’t have had to if you’d just gone with the professionals from the start. For example, if there’s a new home warranty, work with your contractor to make sure that the warranty will cover any issues that you may face.
Pack things by room, not by item
When it comes to unpacking, there are a few things that you can do to make it as easy as possible. First, try to think about what space you do most of your unpacking in. Is it your closet or your desk? If it’s your desk, try to think about what order you typically put things in. If it’s your closet, try to think about what colors you typically hang up and which colors you typically fold. And finally, try to think about what kind of shape your clothes are in. Are they all neatly folded? Or are they all strewn haphazardly?
Try to pack boxes by room, rather than by item, so that when you unpack you can put all of the boxes into the correct rooms and save time and effort when it comes to putting things away. This will hopefully help you make sure that nothing is going to get lost, either.
It takes a village
As an extension of that very British trait of taking it all on yourself, we don’t often reach out to friends and family for help, but there is no time you’re going to need your besties around you than when you’re preparing to move. Bribe your friends with the promise of a fantastic party in your new home, and have them come over to stick some good music on and make the best out of the laborious task of packing and unpacking.
Put aside money for a takeaway on your first night
On your first night in your new home, there are a few things you should probably avoid. First and foremost, don’t cook. While you may be excited to finally have your own kitchen, you probably don’t want to be in the midst of your first meal there. It’s not going to be pretty. Instead, try sticking with something healthy that you can easily make in the morning, like a smoothie bowl.
Make sure you set aside a little bit of money to treat yourself to a takeaway on your first night – not only is it a celebration of your new home, but it also means you can eat without needing any of your own plates.
What do you wish you had remembered when you moved? I’d love to hear your tips!
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