Sometimes even the most organized among us get surprised by life’s twists and turns. Being able to move out in one day means you need to be well organized and plan ahead to beat the time crunch, but we promise – it is manageable. Here are our best tips and tricks to stay low-stress when you have to move to a new home in one day.
Don’t let clutter pile up
This is more of a pre-move preparatory suggestion, but the less you allow clutter to pile up in your home, the easier it will become moving day to get everything packed quickly and easily. Utilizing smart organization systems in your closets and attic or garage, doing a once-a-season purge, and curbing the urge to keep things “just in case” will make your home much easier to move in a pinch.
Make a packing list
It may seem like “just pack everything” is the way to go, but if you’ve been intending to get rid of some large furniture items or clean out old food from the pantry, make a note on your list so it doesn’t accidentally get packed. Keep a separate “donate” list and contact your local thrift store or charity as soon as possible to see if they offer pickup (many do). Check out our list of the best apps for moving if you prefer the tech route for organization.
Start really early and ask for help
If possible, enlist professional moving services to help make what might seem impossible become much, much easier. Can’t hire movers for a day? Call your closest friends and family, make a lot of coffee, and start before sunrise. You’ll be happy for some extra hands when it’s time to move the furniture, and the moral support of having your friends by your side for the marathon move is priceless.
One room at a time
Thinking about the entire house can feel really overwhelming, but organizing your moving timeline room by room makes it feel less daunting. Start with the kitchen and go drawer by drawer, shelf by shelf, keeping yourself focused only on the task in front of you. Assign each of your helpers to a room or part of a room and leave them to tackle it.
While you pack, purge the unnecessary stuff
Keep a ‘donate’ box and a large trash bag at the ready and utilize them. It can be tempting to just throw everything into boxes, but that will make apartment move-in day a nightmare. If you haven’t seen it or missed it in a long time, it can probably go. Clothes, accessories, the random knick-knacks that have been tucked in the back of the drawer, do yourself a favor and send them to a new home.
Keep your clothes on their hangers
Folding all of your clothes for transport takes a lot of time. Keep everything on its hanger and use a trash bag to tie around them, leaving the hook part of each hanger exposed. You can tie a rope along the side of your one-day trailer rental and easily transport them that way if you don’t have a hanger bar.
Use what you have available
Suitcases, duffle bags, trash bags, laundry hampers, they can all be used to pack up your goods if you don’t have cardboard boxes at the ready. If you hire moving services, they can likely provide reusable boxes and crates for the day or sell you a pack of moving materials, but you’ll want to be well on your way to all-packed-up before they arrive!
Make sure to use our new apartment checklist and our new apartment grocery list for a smooth move and easy first days in your new home.
