Packing up your household and moving–especially to a new or distant city–is not always fun. However, you can take some helpful steps to make it more tolerable and less stressful. The first two things to keep in mind are patience and time. These will help make the whole process less overwhelming when paired with each of the following steps.
Prepare
First, you should get rid of anything you have not used in a long time or do not wish to keep anymore. Throw away or recycle items that cannot be donated, given to friends or family, or sold. This will make your move a lot easier and more efficient because you will not pack these extra unnecessary and unwanted items only to have to unpack and organize them later. You will also need to make an overall to-do list as well as a shopping list if you need to get moving supplies from a hardware store. You’ll need supplies like cardboard boxes of different sizes, packing tape, and scissors. To save money, there are many places you can look for free boxes, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, bookstores, or your local recycling bin. For heavy boxes you can rent tools like hand trucks and furniture dollies from your moving truck rental company.
Pack and Label
You will need to start packing early–at least a few weeks to a month in advance. This will ensure that you are all ready to go by moving day! Start with items that you use least, like books, china, and extra appliances. Decorative items can also be packed first because of their odd shapes and fragility. To help keep glass items and other breakables safe in transit, you can wrap them in clothing (this will also save money on bubble wrap and packing paper). Pack your boxes room by room, labeling them not only by category, but by room and box number. Create a list or spreadsheet of what items are in each box. When you begin unpacking at your new home and are looking for something specific, you can refer to the list and know that your napkin holder is in box number three before digging through the first two, for example. Numbering your boxes will also help you determine if any were lost or stolen.
You can use a clear plastic bin to pack things you know you will need as soon as you get to your new place. It should include toilet paper, paper towels, soap, a shower curtain, sheets, snacks, and whatever you think you will need for the first few days and nights. You probably will not get everything unpacked on the first day of moving, so it’s a good idea to pack an overnight bag with your other essentials like a change of clothes, other toiletries, and your laptop.
Find a Storage Facility
After you have packed up things like decorations and items you will not need immediately or do not use often, you can rent a storage facility to hold them while you move the rest of your belongings. A quick Google search can provide you with several companies and options along the lines of self storage Chicago. You can scroll through storage facility rentals near you, compare prices, and book a container.
Move In
Once you have prepared, packed up, and stored, you are ready to move in! At this stage, you will start to reassemble your furniture and place it how you desire in your new rooms, clean up any dirty or dusty areas, and begin to unpack the rest of your belongings. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks–ask your friends and family for help if you want the process to move faster. Also, be sure to recycle your moving boxes if you do not plan on reusing them in the future!
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