One major step before packingshould always be decluttering.
Trust us, it saves a ton of hassle (and money!)
Use a checklist on what to keep, donate, discard or sell.
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This is an easy and manageable starting point, and you should notice a quick result.
Spellman and Jensen agree, noting that tackling any perishables and beauty products is another great starting point.
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Start to use up any excess food and toiletries rather than move it, says Jensen.
Often, this process is about creating more room, so your approach is different.
But when youre decluttering ahead of a move, Jensen and Spellman suggest being more discerning.
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Let go of anything which hasnt been used in a year, she says.
These are the easy wins.
This will make future unpacking much, much easier.
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Start with anything well out of season, says Roynon.
Christmas decorations, winter clothes, anything which wont be required between now and your moving date.
Dont overfill so they can be lifted and stacked neatly and safely, says Roynon.
The more it’s possible for you to pack ahead of time, the better.
But if you do need these items, its possible you might start packing them now.
Keep a basic toolkit handy for last minute repairs or dismantling furniture and box the rest, says Roynon.
This is especially true if youre sizing down or working with smaller rooms in general.
Youll need to reduce the number of your household items, she says.
Think about the possessions that will not fit into a small space.
This includes any valuables, as well as critical documents such as passports and birth certificates.
But you should also think about the day-to-day items youll want to unpack first.
Keep the kettle and coffeemaker out, says Jensen.
You’ll need it, and so will the movers.
