BY KAREN LIBIN, KL REALTY
Finally after looking online at hundreds of homes for sale, going to dozens of showings, and making it though the offer process, you have a home under contract and will soon be moving. Moving day: No matter how much you plan, it’s tiring, chaotic and stressful. You can make it less so by following these tips:
- Plan your furniture layout ahead of time
Measure the rooms of your new home and determine where your large rugs and furniture should be placed. Draw a layout and, if possible, denote these locations with masking tape on the floor. This will save time rearranging furniture in the days after you move.
- Pack your kitchen essentials to have at hand
After you move, you will have several dozen boxes in your kitchen. To avoid searching for that one item you need, pack a few “essentials” boxes with items like enough plates, glasses and flatware for your family, as well as the things you use everyday, such as salt and pepper, olive oil and your go-to frying pan. Include paper plates, napkins and other items for drop-by guests. You will probably need and use these essentials until the end at your former house as well.
- Make cleaning and home repair supplies tubs
Get two carry-all containers. In one, put basic cleaning supplies, sponges, paper towels and some rags. In the other, put a hammer, screwdrivers, nails, a pencil and a tape measure. Keep these on the kitchen counter of your new home for easy access by all. Again, you don’t want to be searching about for these often needed items.
- Pack clothes and toiletries for a few days
It may take you longer than you think to get your closet, bedroom and bathroom organized, so having a couple days of clothes and toiletries handy is a good idea. Make sure you have important items such as medications, toothbrushes and toilet paper.
- Have a person at the old house and another at the new house
It’s good to have a person at the old house overseeing that things are being moved properly and according to your expectations. For instance, how much do you want your furniture wrapped? Not at all or with plenty of coverage? As movers usually charge by the hour with packing materials extra, these decisions need to be made and then monitored. At the new house, another person needs to direct the movers where items, especially furniture, should go. The closer you get items to where you ultimately want them, the easier things will be for you in the long run.
- Have a friend make the beds
At the end of a long moving day, there is nothing worse when you are bone tired then realizing you have to make the beds — but have no idea where the sheets are. Put a friend in charge of keeping track of the linens and making the beds.
- Put someone in charge of a food run
Here’s another task you will probably not have time for, and you won’t want your partner leaving for an hour or so to do this. Give money to a friend and ask them to get take-out for you all, and if you’re so inclined, the movers. They appreciate it, and this ultimately makes the moving process go more smoothly.
