Home Style - Collaborative Post
When moving home there are a whole host of things to think about. The thought of having to pack up our three bedroom house that's packed to the rafters with clutter and memories, truly makes me shudder!
From moving companies, skip hire, mortgage agreements, estate agents, there's a lot to consider, but then if you add kids and pets into the mix too, the list grows even longer. It's no wonder many of us stay put for longer than we'd like, simply to save stress, time and most importantly- money!
Sometimes though, a move is right for you and your family, so I thought I'd share a few tips and things to think about when you've decided to move home, as it can be really hard to know where to start. So once you've decided on moving and have all the tricky mortgage parts in place, here's some ideas for the next stage, the dreaded packing!
Decluttering
As with all good home related ventures, a good clear out always comes first! By getting rid of things you will no longer need or use in your new home, you'll be saving on space in the moving vehicles and feel a lot less overwhelmed by what's left to pack. With a whole house to empty, as well as possibly attics, cellars, sheds or garages, there can be a lot to pack, but also a lot that can be thrown away or donated once you get started. Have some donations boxes on hand ready to fill as you sort rooms, but it's also a good idea to invest in small skips so that you can get rid of trash and not have bags of rubbish hanging around taking up space.
Make a packing list
With a huge project ahead like packing up your home, it can feel very overwhelming. Start by writing a list of rooms, cupboards and other spaces that will need sorting so that you can check them off one at a time. I don't think it's ever too soon to start the packing process even if it's weeks or months away, as it's amazing quite how much 'stuff' we can accumulate. Things that are only used seasonally or only on occasion can be packed away first and stored out the way where possible. Things you use each and every day can stay out until later on, but if possible these can also be downscaled to save time later on.
Buy second hand boxes
Moving boxes can actually be really expensive, so it's well worth checking local selling pages etc for pre-used boxes which will be a lot cheaper or maybe even free as they're bulky and people usually want rid once they've unpacked! You can use regular boxes from a supermarket too, but real moving boxes do tend to be a lot sturdier and hard-wearing.
Label boxes
It's easy to box things up, and we tend to write things like 'kitchen' or 'master bedroom' but I'd say it's a good idea to also add things like 'kitchen - kettle, toaster, coffee and mugs'. This way, when you're in the new house, tired and gasping for a cuppa, you can see exactly where things are. I'd also mark other important daily things, such as bathroom stuff, school uniforms etc so that you have time to unpack slowly and properly.
Have a dedicated box area
Instead of living in a world of boxes while you pack, have one dedicated area to keep your packed boxes in so that you don't get stressed by seeing them in every room. If you have a garage, clear this first so you can remove the boxes from the house, which will also make moving day far easier!
