Moving home is one of life’s most stressful events — up there with going through a separation or starting a new job. Being prepared to move house is your best form of defence against tearing your hair out on moving day.
But no matter how prepared you think you are, there’s always something that you tend to forget. And, let’s be honest, nobody wants to be awake till 3 a.m. the morning before the movers come.
Anyway… we know you have limited time to pack, so we’ll get straight to the point. Use these 77 best tips for moving house to prepare for the most stress-free move ever!
Get Started: 4–6 Weeks Before
Tip 1: Start Early
One of the most important moving house tips is to start planning your move early to avoid any unnecessary stress. You could start the minute you have signed your new lease or know the date you will be moving into your new home. In fact, most people need around six weeks to prepare, but this really depends on the size of your home and if you will have enough space for all of your things.
Tip 2: Draw Up a Moving Budget
If you are moving on a tight budget, start by creating a budget with all the things you will need to pay for, including movers, cleaning services, moving supplies, and hiring a babysitter, as examples. This step will take the stress out of suddenly having to pay for extra bills you hadn’t prepared for.
Tip 3: Create a Checklist
There are so many things to remember when moving house. Make a moving checklist so you don’t get overwhelmed. We have created a printable checklist with everything you will need from six weeks before, until moving house day.
Tip 4: Consider Self Storage
You could consider renting a self storage unit to make the organisation process easier, especially if your new home is smaller than your current one, or perhaps you just don’t have time to sort through everything in your house.
Tip 5: Find The Right Movers
Look for reliable movers in your area. If you are looking for moving companies, check out our list of moving companies. Decide on the best day to move house to minimise stress. Traditionally, the best day to move house is Friday because it keeps you from disrupting your work week, and you’ll have the weekend to spend unpacking your boxes.
Tip 6: Throw Things Out
There is nothing more satisfying than getting rid of clutter! One of our best moving house tips is to throw things out that you don’t need. Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, you can then decide if you want to sell, donate or simply throw them out. If you want to make some cash towards your move, you could sell items on Facebook Marketplace. Charity shops, libraries and children’s homes in your area are good places to donate to.
Tip 7: Take Leave
Don’t be an eternal optimist — be a realist. You most likely will need to be at home when moving house, and last-minute things will take longer than you think, so don’t be a hero. Take a day or two off to pack, unpack and recover.
Tip 8: Mark Out Important Dates
Dates tend to creep up on us, so make sure you mark out deadlines in your calendar with reminders! Some examples include the day you need to order or collect boxes, what day and time the movers are coming in, and what date or time you need to fetch the keys for your new place.
Tip 9: Notify Your Bank/Creditors
Make sure you change your address with your bank, car insurance company and other important creditors.
Tip 10: Disconnect Your Wi-Fi
When thinking about moving house tips, one thing many people forget to do is notify their Wi-Fi service provider that they will need to be disconnected and reconnected on a specific date. The service provider may need to send a technician out, and you don’t want to be stuck without a connection for a week or two at your new place.
Tip 11: Schedule Repairs
Arrange for any necessary repairs or cleaning to be done at your current home. You won’t want to pay anything extra or forfeit some of your deposit when your landlord inspects it once you have moved out!
Get Ready To Pack: 2–4 Weeks Before
Tip 12: Order Packing Supplies
Order or buy packaging supplies like boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and packing paper way in advance of moving house. Double-check that the supplies will arrive in time.
Tip 13: Organise Supplies
Some extra things you might need to organise include old blankets for covering furniture, door stoppers to keep doors open when carrying boxes, and colour stickers for organising boxes.
Tip 14: Set Up a Packing Station
For a hassle-free packing experience, set up a comfortable station at a kitchen or dining table, saving your back from the strain of floor work. Ensure to cover the table with a blanket or furniture pad before starting to protect the surface.
How To Pack: The Basics
Tip 15: Start With The Hardest Task
No idea where to start? Tackle the most difficult moving house task first, whether this is throwing out perishables from the fridge or packing up the garage. Once the mountain is gone, you’ll just be left with a molehill.
Tip 16: Pack Small Items Well
Pack small items like jewellery or fragile decorations in smaller boxes or small individual bags. Carefully wrap each item in packing paper before putting it into its box or bigger container.
Tip 17: Pack Documents Safely
Important documents like passports, birth certificates, warranties and so on should be wrapped in plastic to prevent water damage and locked away safely so nobody has access to them.
Tip 18: Wrap Breakables
Wrap glassware and ceramics in bubble wrap to protect against chips and breakages. When you add them to a box, don’t leave any spaces. If items shift around, they are more likely to break. You can also pack clothes or linen between items for extra protection.
Tip 19: Prepare Your Antiques
Protect your family heirlooms! Sterling silver and antiques can be wrapped in silver cloth — a tarnish-resistant material that is made from 100% cotton flannel.
Tip 20: Electronics
An essential moving house tip is to pack your electronics well to avoid any breakages. When it comes to bigger electronics like your TV and computer, you could use the original boxes they came in. Wrap screens in a microfiber towel and anti-static bubble wrap. When it comes to electronic cables, take photos of the way your electronic devices are wired up on the back before disconnecting so you can reassemble them. You can also label the cables so that you know which cables belong to which device and the correct cable sockets they should be plugged into.
Tip 21: Break Down Furniture
Disassemble any furniture that needs to be taken apart, labelling the pieces for easy reassembly.
How To Pack: Tips & Tricks
Tip 22: Cover Liquids in Plastic
Place liquids in resealable plastic bags for extra protection against spills. Use plastic bins lined with garbage bags to transport liquids — not cardboard boxes!
Tip 23: Stack Smaller Items In Big Ones
To save on space, try Tetris your way to fewer boxes by packing many smaller items within bigger boxes.
Tip 24: Label Boxes by Room
This A-type personality move might seem like overkill, but you’ll be thankful that you labelled each box by room (for example, ‘Living Room’) when you get to your destination, as it will save you a lot of time and frustration when unpacking.
Tip 25: Don’t Overload Boxes
You don’t want things spilling out of the box on moving day. Leave some space at the top of the box, and you can even add a layer of bubble wrap, paper or foam to protect items when closing the box.
Tip 26: Close Boxes Up Properly
Make sure that you get some sturdy tape to close up boxes properly, both for safety reasons and ease of carrying the box.
Tip 27: Pack in Layers
Start with heavier things on the bottom and lighter things on top. This will also make more space for items when packed in layers.
Tip 28: Roll Clothes
Tightly-packed rolls will mean fewer wrinkles and creases on your outfits when you unpack. To properly roll your clothes, lay the item of clothing out flat. Then, fold the bottom two inches of the item inside out to create a type of pocket along one side of the clothing. From the opposite end, roll the item tightly until you get to the pocket you’ve created.
Tip 29: Stack Boxes in The Right Way
You want your moving boxes to have a lower centre of gravity to prevent them from tipping over. Keep heavier boxes on the bottom to avoid boxes collapsing, and do less heavy lifting when they need to be moved.
Tip 30: Put Tape on Mirrors
Place masking tape on the surface of the mirror in an X shape, as it will prevent the glass from shattering and also help protect the frame. You can also tape the corners if the mirror doesn’t have a frame.
Tip 31: Keep Screws in a Box
The last thing you want when trying to put your desk back together is to be missing the screws. Label each box with screws where each one belongs so you don’t drive yourself nuts when unpacking.
Tip 32: Mark Fragile Boxes
If you are worried about the movers mishandling your kitchenware, make sure you put a ‘fragile’ sticker on the box or write ‘fragile’ so everyone knows to take care when handling that box.
Tip 33: Take Photos
One moving house tip you may not have heard is to take a photo of each box’s contents for future reference and sanity!
Tips To Pack The Kitchen
Tip 34: Use Pots To Hold Small Items
There are also those loose items you have no idea what to do with, like your mini garlic grater. Stack them inside pots and cover them with paper so they don’t fall out.
Tip 35: Pack Plates Vertically
Pack dishes vertically on a layer of packing paper. If you pack them flat, they are more likely to break.
Tip 36: Put Appliances in a Solid Box
First, if you have the original appliance boxes, make sure you pack them in there as a start. If not, wrap them in bubble wrap and an appropriate size box. Use a solid box for all of your appliances to avoid unnecessary damage.
Tip 37: Wrap Your Utensils
The safest way to pack utensils when moving house is to wrap them in bubble wrap. When you’re packing knives, forks, and spoons, be sure to wrap them each in separate pieces of bubble wrap.
Tip 38: Defrost Your Refrigerator/ Freezor Two Days Before
When preparing your fridge and freezer for a move, start by defrosting them at least 24 hours before moving day. Prop the doors open and put towels down on the floor. Before moving ensure all ice is melted and surfaces are dry to prevent water damage and mold growth. Remove and securely pack all removable shelves and bins separately, using bubble wrap or packing paper. Finally, secure the doors with a bungee cord or rope, and if possible, keep the fridge in an upright position during transport to protect its cooling mechanism. Give appliances a few hours to settle before plugging it back in at your new place.
Dining/Living Room Moving House Tips
Tip 39: Disassemble Lamps
Remove light bulbs and harps from your lamps and wrap them separately to the base and shade. For the shade, you can use pillowcases or paper wrap to protect them. When you place them in a box, stack smaller ones inside the bigger ones.
Tip 40: Avoid Using Plastic To Cover Wooden Furniture
Plastic can trap moisture and damage wood; use blankets or moving paper.
Tip 41: Roll Up Carpets
Roll up your carpet to avoid any spillage or dirt getting on them, and allow for more space. Load these in the moving truck last, if possible.
Tip 42: Pack Art in Custom Boxes
Did you know that you can buy customisable boxes from some moving companies? These are specially designed for different types of objects like flat paintings or oversized mirrors. If you’re using professional movers, they might offer crates to keep your prized artwork safe.
Tip 43: How To Pack Books
You don’t want to pack a lot of books in large cardboard boxes as they will get super heavy and are almost impossible to move alone if you need to. Place books in smaller, more sturdy-sized boxes and fill any empty space in the box with packing material to avoid shifting.
Tip 44: Safeguard Your Curtains
Line boxes with paper or plastic bags before you pack your curtains in. It might be a good idea to give them a wash and make sure they are dry before you pack them in so you will have nice, clean curtains and privacy right away at your new abode.
Bathroom Moving House Tips
Tip 45: Pack Essentials Last
For obvious reasons, you should pack your toothbrush and other essentials last.
Tip 46: Wrap Liquids in Sealed Bags
Put your open shampoos and soaps in separately sealed bags so they don’t leak over your things.
Tip 47: Use Your Linen Basket for Packing
If you need extra space to store bathroom items like toilet paper and towels, use the linen basket and save space!
Bedroom Moving House Tips
Tip 48: Prepare Your Bedding
Pack up the bedding materials you won’t need before your move. To keep linen clean during transit, place it in a suitcase or line the box you place it in with a large plastic bag. You can cover your pillows and duvet inner in plastic before placing them in any boxes for extra protection.
Tip 49: Cover Your Mattress
You don’t want your mattress to get full of dust or accidentally spill anything on it during the move. Cover it in plastic or a heavy-duty mattress cover and tape it down.
Tip 50: Disassemble Your Bed
Disassemble your bed frame and place all screws, nuts, and bolts in a plastic bag that is clearly labelled.
Tip 51: Wardrobe Tips
We have some great moving house tips when it comes to your wardrobe. Our top hack is to leave clothes inside their drawers. Then, if you can find wardrobe boxes, you can leave clothes on their hangers, making unpacking easy. Of course, don’t forget to wash any dirty clothes before you start packing.
Tip 52: How To Pack Shoes
Shoes can be packed in original boxes, if available, or within larger boxes.
Tip 53: Decor Packing
Dedicate a small box to your bedside books, picture frames and other bits and pieces. Pad the box with items of clothing to keep them safe.
Tip 54: Curtain Packing Strategy
Wash your curtains and make sure they are dry before packing them into a plastic bag and then into a box; this will protect against moisture and mould.
Get Ready To Move: 1–2 Days Before
Tip 55: Pack Essentials for Your First Night
You are going to need some essential items for your first sleepover in your new home. These include:
- Kettle and tea/coffee
- Chargers
- Sheets and pillows
- A change of clothing
- Toiletries, including toilet paper
- A hairdryer
- Cups and plates, cutlery
- Any medicine you need daily
Don’t forget to lay out what you will wear on moving day! Put a raincoat aside too, if rain is predicted.
Tip 56: Dispose of Hazardous Material
Read the labels of household materials, as they generally come with instructions on how to handle them. You could look for places in your area where you can drop them off. If you cannot dispose of the waste yourself, you could contact your local waste management company and get them to come and pick up any materials you need to dispose of.
Tip 57: Finish Packing & Labelling Boxes
Now is the time to start closing up those boxes and get organised so that on moving day, you can easily see which boxes are which.
Tip 58: Finish Take Photos of Valuables
For your records, take photos of valuables, so if anything goes missing, you can have evidence of it.
Tip 59: Finalise Times With Movers
Call your movers up and finalise the time they will be coming around to pick your belongings up. Don’t forget to check that you have the keys and can let them in on the other side with ease.
What To Do On Moving House Day
Tip 60: Dress Comfortably
You don’t want to be in open shoes on moving day. Rather wear trainers and dress comfortably for the season.
Tip 61: Make Sure You Have Keys
As already suggested, make sure that you actually have your new house keys in hand so you are ready to let the movers in.
Tip 62: Babysitter Time!
Make sure that you know when your babysitter is arriving, and phone them to double-check. If the doggy children are going to daycare, then it’s time to get them there!
Tip 62: Keep Moving Supplies Handy
Keep aside a box for all the moving supplies you may need. For example, you may need some extra tape for boxes that you forgot to close up.
Tip 63: Go Over Your Checklist
Make sure you have ticked off everything on your list so far and go over what you still need to do.
Tip 64: Keep Cleaning Supplies on Hand
Yes, you will need to clean when you move out! You will likely have to provide cleaning supplies like paper towels, a duster, mop, vacuum or broom and cleaning spray or liquid on the day, even if you’re hiring a cleaner.
Tip 65: Make Sure You Have Cash
You may want to tip the movers, or need to send someone to a nearby shop to buy last-minute refreshments, so having cash on hand is a great moving house tip that is often overlooked.
Tip 66: Charge Your Phone
You may need directions to your home as well as get a call from the movers when they have arrived, so you will need a fully-charged battery on your phone.
Tip 67: Have Important Documents Close
You should have put aside all your essential documents. Make sure they are with you in your handbag or backpack, so if you need them, they are close by.
Tip 68: Provide Refreshments
No matter who is helping you out on moving day, it’s bound to be thirsty work. Have some refreshments on hand for friends, family and movers. They will appreciate it!
Tip 69: Supervise Movers
Be prepared to oversee the movers and make sure that they know which boxes are fragile and which heavier boxes are to be loaded first. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary breakages.
Tip 70: Check Off Room By Room
Go through each room and check that everything has been packed and is ready. Once the movers are there — go back and recheck if anything has been forgotten.
Tip 71: Check for Damages
Check for any damages caused by the movers. You don’t want to lose your security deposit!
Tip 72: Do An Inspection
Once everything is out, make sure to check all drawers, cabinets, closets, the attic and the shed for items you may have missed.
Unpacking Moving House Tips
Tip 73: Make Sure The Place is Clean
Depending on what your agreement is with your new landlord or previous owner of your new home, you should be arriving to a clean space. If it’s not clean and this was promised to you, take photos as proof before you set to work making sure it’s ready for you to unpack. You’ll want that evidence.
Tip 74: Unpack Essentials First
It’s time to make use of that first night bag you packed. Unpack the essentials so they will be readily available to use when you need anything.
Tip 75: Prioritise the Kitchen and Bathroom
It makes sense to start with the kitchen and bathroom, as you will need to eat and shower at some point. Also, if you have any perishables, you will want to get them into the fridge ASAP! Once the kitchen and bathroom are done, the next step is to prepare your bedroom for a much-needed sleep.
Tip 76: Put on Some Music
Your new home should be a sanctuary, so calm your stress levels with some upbeat tunes playing in the background while you unpack. Listening to a podcast is also super relaxing and makes the chores more fun.
Tip 77: Get Rid of Boxes as You Unpack
Make life easier for yourself by flattening boxes and placing them to one side for recycling or removal so that there is way less clutter to wade through.
When you are finally done with your move and unpacked, take a shower and walk to meet your new neighbours. You may need to borrow some sugar in the morning, so it’s better to be prepared!
Moving house soon, but not sure if your new home has enough space? With six locations across Dublin and a wide range of storage unit sizes, Nesta has the perfect space for you to store your extra items.
Give us a call on 1800 77 22 33 or request a free quote online now!
