3 Steps to an Organized Move

With the big move to my new home right around the corner, I thought it would be timely to share a few pro organizer moving tips. Moving is a stressful life event, but planning ahead will help simplify the process. Follow these three steps for a streamlined move!

Step 1 | Make a Plan

Start by taking an hour or so to do a walkthrough of your home, making a list of general categories in each room. For example: “linens, craft supplies, toiletries, books”. Don’t get overly detailed—keep things simple. After assessing your belongings, determine how far in advance you want to start the process. If you have a lot of free time and very little to pack, a few weeks should be plenty. Conversely, if you have a lot to pack and very little free time, starting two or more months in advance may be ideal.

Next, assign a number to each category based on how many days or weeks you have allotted for the project. For example, use numbers “1” through “5” for a five week schedule. Start with the number “1” for essential items that you will need right up until the move date: these are the items you will pack last. From there, assign numbers to your remaining categories based on frequency of use, packing items you rarely access first.

Step 2 | SORT & DECLUTTER

Now that you have your week-by-week packing plan, it’s time to take action. While you may not be able to fully organize your belongings until you are moved into your new space, simply sorting and grouping them into logical categories will be helpful. The more you can organize before you move, the easier it will be to get settled into your new home. Plus, packing will be much more efficient and the likelihood of items getting lost or broken is lessened.

The process of sorting through your belongings is the perfect opportunity to assess items and decide what you may no longer need. The less you have to pack, the easier (and potentially cheaper!) the move will be. If the idea of decluttering and organizing sounds overwhelming, it may be helpful to have an accountability partner to help you stay on track. This can be a non-judgmental friend or family member, or a professional organizing service like Minima.

Step 3 | Pack

Once you have sorted and decluttered, packing should be a snap! Try to keep items together by room or category, and clearly label boxes that are to be unpacked first. Make sure you label the contents of each box in a clear and consistent manner so that it’s easy to find what you need when you unpack. Post-it Super Sticky full stick notes (affiliate link) are perfect for labeling boxes and mapping storage. Set up a staging area in your home for packed boxes to be stored out of the way during the process.

We recommend U-Haul for boxes and packing supplies whenever we help our clients with a move. They have a helpful moving supplies calculator on their website. We recommend buying more than you think you will need—especially small/medium boxes, packing paper, and bubble wrap. U-Haul will take back anything you do not use.

Moving is one of Minima’s organizing specialties so don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help—our packing and unpacking services provide a seamless transition during your move or renovation. Simply fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!

Kristen Ziegler