Five Moving Pointers To Make Things Easier

This weekend we helped John’s sister and brother-in-law move into their fabulous new home (that they simply happened to design themselves) and along with some obligatory back pain we took away some fairly fail-safe moving advice. And now that we are in the know, we figured we’d share the wealth. After a picture of their breathtaking new kitchen of course:

Moving Pointer #1: Clean top to bottom. When you are cleaning something in your new home (like the kitchen cabinets before you load in all your dishes, or a closet before you add the linens), it only makes sense to start from the top. This way any spare dirt or dust that does not stick to your rag will not end up dirtying the shelf below that you’ve already cleaned.

Moving Pointer #2: Touch things once. If you are carrying a large box of bathroom stuff, it makes no sense to toss it into the foyer assuming that you will get to it later. If it is already in your arms, you might as well take it to its final destination. Why bend over twice?

Moving Pointer #3: Save the seated tasks for last. It is much easier to rest when you are doing stationary projects that can be accomplished in a seated position, so save folding clothes or organizing drawers for the quite end of the day when you can pull up a chair or sprawl out on the floor. (Here is one of the last projects that I completed while perched on a stool: installing dish dividers into their island’s fabulously deep drawers).

Moving Pointer #4: Do not bother unhanging clothes. Unless you are moving across the country and have to ship your items, drop your clothes (hanger and all) into oversized black garbage bags. Instead of wrestling hangers and clothing into a restrictive box (or taking the time to unhang and rehang everything) it should only take a few giant bags and a few minutes to pack your whole closet. Then simply deposit the bags into the right room, and you will have everything back into the closet in about 60 seconds.

Moving Pointer #5: Toss stuff you are so over. You will likely move plenty of stuff that was not even good sufficient for your old house (so you sure as heck will not be whipping it out in your new one). Even though you moved it all the way to the new place, cut your loses and toss it (or donate it) before it takes over the closets and cabinets in your new abode. From editing glassware and silverware to old clothes and even bathroom stuff as you unpack, you will feel fabulous about your fresh start (look at all the stuff Emily and Todd left out for the garbage man).

Now it is your turn to share the wealth. Tell us your go-to moving pointers for the next time we get roped into helping our seemingly nomadic family and friends. And stay tuned for the stunning “after” photos of their remarkable new home in the coming weeks…