This just in; a study (which was surely commissioned by a removal company) has revealed that moving house is regarded as the ‘most stressful life event’ by a whopping 57% of Brits. Indeed, as any one who has moved house before can surely attest, a smooth and successful relocation is just one broken vase away from divorce or family fisticuffs.
That said, there are (we promise!) some genuinely simple ways to make the big move less stressful, and so much of the damage limitation actually occurs before a single box has even been packed.
It’s all in the preparation, you see, and to answer your most pressing relocation questions, we’re here to help. If you’re wondering which room is best to pack up first, how much of the heavy lifting your removals company should be doing, and everything in between, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in.
Which Room Should You Pack First When Preparing To Move House?
When preparing for a move, it’s best to start packing the rooms you use least frequently. This could be a guest bedroom or bathroom, attic, basement, or any storage rooms. These spaces tend to have items that you won’t need to use daily or weekly, so it makes sense to pack these areas first. Packing these rooms in advance won’t disrupt your day-to-day living in the lead up to the move.
What Order Should I Pack Up The Rooms In My House?
Having a clear, organised strategy can certainly help you tackle this whole task more efficiently. Building on the above answer, here’s a suggested order for packing up the rooms in your home:
- Guest Rooms and Spare Rooms: As these are usually used less frequently, they should be first on your list. Freeing up a guest room also gives you extra space to start organising your boxes more systematically.
- Attic, Basement, and Garage: These spaces often hold items that are less frequently used, such as seasonal decorations, tools, and outdoor supplies. It’s also a good opportunity to sort and declutter.
- Non-Essential Rooms: This could be your home office, the living room, or any other rooms that you don’t use on a daily basis.
- Kitchen: Start by packing the items you use least often, such as special occasion crockery, baking supplies, or your more esoteric appliances. As moving day approaches, you can pack everyday dishes and cooking items, leaving only the most essential items for last. You might want to consider using disposable plates and cutlery in the days leading up to the move, though consider the carbon footprint of your kitchen when doing so.
- Children’s Rooms: If you have children, you’ll want to pack their rooms closer to moving day to minimise disruption. It can be helpful to involve them in the packing process and reassure them about the move.
- Main Living Area: This includes areas such as the lounge and dining rooms. While these areas are often in frequent use, they contain items that can often be packed ahead of moving day, leaving essential items (you’ll want your sofa and TV, for sure) until last.
- Bathrooms: Pack up the guest bathrooms first, if you’re lucky enough to have one, then your main bathroom. Leave out essentials like toothbrushes, toiletries, and medication, which you’ll need right up until you leave.
- Bedrooms: You’ll want to pack clothes that aren’t in season, spare bedding, and other non-essentials first. The last things you’ll pack are your daily essentials and the bedding you’re currently using.
What Should Go In An ‘Essentials Box’ When Packing Before A Move?
Remember to have an ‘essentials box’ that you keep with you during the move, which is easily accessible for those odd few days (or even weeks!) of limbo both when packing up your property and for when you’ve just moved into your new place.
An essentials box is the last box you pack and the first one you open when you move. It should contain all the crucial items you need to get through the first few nights in your new home without having to rummage through multiple boxes and unpack unnecessarily. A brief breakdown of such a box would likely contain:
Toiletries
Items such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a towel for each family member.
Kitchen Items
Consider packing some non-perishable food, a pot or pan, a few utensils, cups, plates, a kettle, and some tea or coffee. If you’ll not have immediate access to a refrigerator, consider a cooler box with some cold drinks and perishable items.
Bedroom Items
Include a change of clothes, pyjamas, and bedding for each person. An inflatable mattress could also be handy if your furniture isn’t set up immediately.
Cleaning Supplies
As you move in, you’ll want to clean as you go. Include items like wipes, bin bags, dish soap, sponges, and a small vacuum if possible.
Important Documents
Keep all essential documents like leases, moving documents, passports, birth certificates, and other important paperwork in a safe place.
First Aid Kit
Pack a small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relief medication, and any essential prescription medication.
Basic Tools
A toolkit should include screwdrivers, a hammer, nails, and a utility knife for opening other boxes. You might also need light bulbs, batteries, and extension cords.
Entertainment
If you have children, pack a few toys or games to keep them occupied. For adults, consider bringing a book or a deck of cards for downtime during your move.
Electronics
Include chargers for all devices, including phones, laptops, and tablets. It can also be useful to have a list of important phone numbers and Wi-Fi details at hand.
Pet Supplies
If you have pets, remember to pack their food, a food dish, leash, bed, and any other necessities.
Snacks & Drinks
Pack some bottled water and easy snacks to keep you fuelled during moving day.
What Is The Best Way To Label Boxes When Packing Up A Home?
Labelling boxes effectively when packing up your home is an essential part of an efficient move. The most effective method is to utilise a colour code system, assigning a specific colour to each room. For example, use green stickers for the kitchen boxes, blue for the bathroom, yellow for the living room, and so forth.
Additionally, it’s a wise move to number your boxes within each colour category and keep an inventory list of what items go into which box. For instance, ‘Green 1’ might be kitchen utensils, and ‘Green 2’ might be crockery. This reduces the chance of misplacement or loss of items and makes it far easier to locate your possessions when unpacking.
In addition to colour and number coding, it can be helpful to clearly list the general contents of each box on the side. Avoid labelling the top of the box, as you won’t be able to see it if boxes are stacked upon one another. This way, you and your removers will know what’s fragile and needs to be handled with care, what’s heavy, and which boxes contain essential items that you will need to unpack first. Remember to also mark the boxes that contain items from your ‘essentials box’ and ensure they are the last loaded and first off the van.
Just How Much Of The Heavy Lifting Can I Expect My Removals Company To Do?
When hiring a house removals company, you can typically expect them to handle virtually all of the heavy lifting. This includes loading large items such as furniture, appliances, and heavy boxes onto the removal van, securely storing and organising these items during transit, and then unloading them at your new property.
Many removal companies also offer additional services such as dismantling and reassembling furniture, packing and unpacking your items, and even providing packing materials. However, these services may come at an additional cost and should be discussed beforehand.
It’s worth noting that although a removals company will handle the physical heavy lifting, it’s your responsibility to ensure that items are ready to be moved and there is clear access. Also, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on how your possessions are being handled, and direct the movers as necessary for particularly valuable or delicate items.
Remember, when choosing a removals company, it’s important to clarify exactly what their service includes, so there are no surprises on moving day. Because, let’s face it; this is not a day when surprises are at all welcome.