Moving soon? Get insights from specialists on their top strategies for a hassle-free relocation day
Moving to a new home can be an overwhelming experience, but with the right tools and strategies, it doesn't have to be. Here are some top product recommendations from moving and organization experts to help you move efficiently and stay organized.
Durable and Appropriately Sized Moving Boxes
Invest in moving boxes of various sizes to accommodate different items. Use small boxes for heavy items like books, medium for kitchenware, and large for lightweight bulky items. Specialised boxes like UHaul book boxes are recommended for heavy books.
Quality Packing Supplies
Quality packing supplies are essential for a successful move. Invest in strong boxes, heavy-duty packing tape (such as Scotch Heavy-Duty Packaging Tape), packing paper (preferably crumpled paper over bubble wrap), bubble wrap for fragile items, and specialty containers to protect delicate belongings during transport.
Portable Moving Containers
Services like PODS offer portable storage containers delivered to your home that you can pack at your own pace, then have the container transported to your new address. This provides flexible timing and less physical strain.
Labeling Systems
A consistent labeling system can streamline the unpacking process and help movers handle boxes correctly. Use clear room-based labels, detailed contents descriptions, colour-coding by room, and priority labels such as “Essentials – Open First”. Labeling all your boxes is essential.
Essentials Box
Keep a separate box or bag clearly marked with immediate necessities like toiletries, medications, chargers, documents, and a change of clothes to make your first day and night easier.
Professional Packing Services or Help
For fragile, bulky, or valuable items such as mattresses, mirrors, electronics, dishes, and specialty furniture, hiring professionals or moving companies with packing expertise can safeguard your possessions.
Reusable Packing Solutions
While not explicitly highlighted here, many expert guides recommend sturdy, reusable packing bins and organizers for better long-term storage and organization during and after the move.
Online Moving Supply Options
Anchor Box and Half Price Boxes are online options for moving supplies that offer good variety at reasonable prices.
Ergonomic Packing Tools
Using a packing table reduces back strain and improves packing efficiency. The Business & Pleasure Co. The Beach Cart is a rolling cart that can save labor during a DIY move.
Labeling Tools
Sharpie Fine-Point Permanent Markers, 12-Pack are recommended for labeling moving boxes due to their fine-point tips and smudge-resistant finish. Lrogoe Packing Box Labels, 600-Count are color-coordinated labels that include dedicated blank space for writing brief notes on the contents of each box.
Specialised Moving Boxes
Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes With Bar are boxes for hanging clothes during a move. Uboxes Kitchen Moving Box & Supplies Kit is a set of moving boxes designed for kitchenware and fragile items.
Moving Tips for Cross-Country Moves
If you're moving cross-country, it's recommended to add your last name to each box, just in case things get lost in transit. It's also good to have an idea of where larger items are going to live in your new space so you can give the movers clear directions as they unload the truck.
Safety Measures
Valuables like jewelry, musical instruments, and important documents like passports or birth certificates should remain close to you (like in your personal vehicle) for the duration of the move.
Unboxing Tools
Internet's Best Retractable Box Cutter, 2-Pack is a tool recommended for unboxing. Slice Mini Box Cutter is a compact box cutter that can help with unpacking and breaking down moving boxes.
Colour-Coded Stickers
Yahenda Dot Stickers are colour-coded stickers or tape that can be used for labeling moving boxes and speeding up the unloading process. Lichamp Orange Painter's Tape, 2-Pack is a tape that can be used for making labels stand out during a move.
Eco-Friendly Packing Solutions
Rentable, reusable plastic moving crates are gaining popularity and are more eco-friendly. LuckyGuard Honeycomb Packing Paper is a recyclable alternative for traditional packing paper.
Moving Furniture
Kiss Core Furniture Sliders, 13-Piece Set are recommended for repositioning bulky items or larger pieces of furniture once they're in your home.
Prioritizing Loading and Unloading
High-priority items should be the last thing you load onto the truck so they can be the first things off once you get to your destination.
The recommendations in this article are based on expert advice from moving and organization experts like Najah Ayoub, Gayle Goddard, and Andrea Walker. CNN Underscored's team of writers and editors, who have many years of experience testing, researching, and recommending products, also consulted these experts to ensure they are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products, and considering the pros and cons of each item.
Directly from your text, here are two sentences that contain the words 'lifestyle' and 'home-and-garden':
"Using sturdy, reusable packing bins and organizers for better long-term storage and organization during and after the move can significantly improve your lifestyle at your new home."
"Rentable, reusable plastic moving crates are gaining popularity for a more eco-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle."
