7 Ways to Prepare for a Less Stressful Move
Moving to a new home is considered one of life’s most stressful events. A few tasks done now can ease your burden later
Jeanne Taylor
14 January 2020
Houzz Contributor. Jeanne Taylor is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the co-owner of Tailorly with her business partner Patricia Lee. Together they create beautiful homes through decluttering, organizing, and styling. For more information visit www.tailorly.net.
Houzz Contributor. Jeanne Taylor is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco... More
A move is often considered a stressful life event. As professional organizers, my business partner and I frequently receive calls from clients who need to move out of their homes in a hurry and want help managing the process. They’re suddenly faced with an overwhelming number of tasks, such as scheduling home inspections, addressing deferred maintenance, decluttering, packing, dealing with donations, staging, garden cleanup and more. It’s enough to cause anyone anxiety.
If you’re expecting to move at some point — even if you don’t know exactly when that will be — there are a number of tasks you can do now to ease the burden later. Here are the top seven ways I recommend you prepare, whether you know your target move date or not.
If you’re expecting to move at some point — even if you don’t know exactly when that will be — there are a number of tasks you can do now to ease the burden later. Here are the top seven ways I recommend you prepare, whether you know your target move date or not.
1. Research the Dollar Value of Items That Might Be Valuable
Often clients hold on to items that might be worth something. These could include antique furniture and artwork; stamp, coin and baseball card collections; old books; crystal, china and silverware; vintage jewelry; and other antique collectibles.
These belongings might have been inherited from relatives, purchased at garage sales or thrift shops, or saved from childhood. Some of our clients would really rather part with these things but become paralyzed with the worry that they might be giving away a priceless heirloom. Television shows like Antiques Road Show, Storage Wars and American Pickers feed into this anxiety.
However, if your new home will be smaller, it may not be feasible to keep all these items. And regardless of the home’s size, sometimes it’s simply time to let go of something you no longer need or enjoy.
To help make the process of letting go easier, I recommend getting a quick valuation of the object in question. You may find that your treasure is worth less than you thought, making it easier for you to sell or donate. You might try one or more of these methods:
Often clients hold on to items that might be worth something. These could include antique furniture and artwork; stamp, coin and baseball card collections; old books; crystal, china and silverware; vintage jewelry; and other antique collectibles.
These belongings might have been inherited from relatives, purchased at garage sales or thrift shops, or saved from childhood. Some of our clients would really rather part with these things but become paralyzed with the worry that they might be giving away a priceless heirloom. Television shows like Antiques Road Show, Storage Wars and American Pickers feed into this anxiety.
However, if your new home will be smaller, it may not be feasible to keep all these items. And regardless of the home’s size, sometimes it’s simply time to let go of something you no longer need or enjoy.
To help make the process of letting go easier, I recommend getting a quick valuation of the object in question. You may find that your treasure is worth less than you thought, making it easier for you to sell or donate. You might try one or more of these methods:
- Research similar pieces for sale on Craigslist or eBay. Sellers on these sites must price their goods appropriately if they hope to find a buyer. If you see something languishing unsold for a long time, it’s probably a good bet that it’s overpriced for your market.
- Consult with a local consignment shop. Resale shops have firsthand knowledge of what’s selling and what’s not and can give you an accurate estimate of the value of your item. Often you can simply text or email a photo, saving you a trip to the store.
- Pay for a professional appraisal or consult with an auction house. Some auction houses even offer free appraisals.
2. Return Things That Don’t Belong to You
Sometimes people have things in their homes that don’t belong to them, such as books borrowed from friends, scarves or jackets left behind after a party, or serving dishes used to deliver a casserole. Consider starting a box of these items, which may help you remember to return them the next time you see the owners.
You might also be storing some of your adult children’s belongings, such as childhood memorabilia, sports equipment and musical instruments from high school, textbooks from college, and old clothes and shoes. Your children may be reluctant to reclaim these items if they live out of the area or don’t have adequate storage in their homes. Advise your kids of your plan to move and encourage them to remove their things from your home in a timely manner. If you get lucky, they might even surprise you by allowing you to donate everything to charity.
Sometimes people have things in their homes that don’t belong to them, such as books borrowed from friends, scarves or jackets left behind after a party, or serving dishes used to deliver a casserole. Consider starting a box of these items, which may help you remember to return them the next time you see the owners.
You might also be storing some of your adult children’s belongings, such as childhood memorabilia, sports equipment and musical instruments from high school, textbooks from college, and old clothes and shoes. Your children may be reluctant to reclaim these items if they live out of the area or don’t have adequate storage in their homes. Advise your kids of your plan to move and encourage them to remove their things from your home in a timely manner. If you get lucky, they might even surprise you by allowing you to donate everything to charity.
3. Winnow Down Arts and Crafts Supplies You Don’t Use
Many of our clients hold on to unused arts and crafts supplies — fabric remnants, sewing notions, leftover yarn, scrapbooking and card-making materials, jewelry-making supplies — for years. It’s not uncommon to also have partially finished projects lying around that realistically you may never complete.
Arts and crafts supplies are expensive. If you’re motivated, you might be able to sell yours on eBay or Craigslist. Your area may also have consignment stores specializing in crafting items.
Alternatively, you might consider donating to a thrift shop, women’s shelter or rehabilitation center near you. Call ahead to see if the organization accepts what you have. Whether donating or selling, I recommend packaging the supplies neatly in zip-close bags or small storage containers. Labeling the containers is helpful.
Find storage bins and boxes for your craft supplies
Many of our clients hold on to unused arts and crafts supplies — fabric remnants, sewing notions, leftover yarn, scrapbooking and card-making materials, jewelry-making supplies — for years. It’s not uncommon to also have partially finished projects lying around that realistically you may never complete.
Arts and crafts supplies are expensive. If you’re motivated, you might be able to sell yours on eBay or Craigslist. Your area may also have consignment stores specializing in crafting items.
Alternatively, you might consider donating to a thrift shop, women’s shelter or rehabilitation center near you. Call ahead to see if the organization accepts what you have. Whether donating or selling, I recommend packaging the supplies neatly in zip-close bags or small storage containers. Labeling the containers is helpful.
Find storage bins and boxes for your craft supplies
4. Donate or Sell Sporting Goods and Gear You No Longer Use
Well ahead of a move is a great time to take stock of your sporting goods and athletic gear and identify items you haven’t used in years. While working with clients, I’ve uncovered unused golf clubs, ice hockey gear, backpacking and camping equipment, kayaks, softball gear and more. These belongings can take up a lot of storage space.
If you’re unlikely to use the items again, it may be time to let them go — especially if your new home will have less storage space.
If your equipment is in good condition, you might be able to make a few dollars by selling it on Craigslist or eBay. Alternatively, you might donate your gear to a local youth sports program or perhaps a charity that provides used equipment to sports programs in low-income areas.
When and How to Use Storage Containers to Organize Your Things
Well ahead of a move is a great time to take stock of your sporting goods and athletic gear and identify items you haven’t used in years. While working with clients, I’ve uncovered unused golf clubs, ice hockey gear, backpacking and camping equipment, kayaks, softball gear and more. These belongings can take up a lot of storage space.
If you’re unlikely to use the items again, it may be time to let them go — especially if your new home will have less storage space.
If your equipment is in good condition, you might be able to make a few dollars by selling it on Craigslist or eBay. Alternatively, you might donate your gear to a local youth sports program or perhaps a charity that provides used equipment to sports programs in low-income areas.
When and How to Use Storage Containers to Organize Your Things
5. Review Your Party Supplies
Now is also a good time to assess your party supplies. Do you have a handful of leftover plates, napkins and decor from theme parties? If there aren’t enough for another party or you won’t use that theme again, you might use the plates and napkins yourself at daily meals so they don’t go to waste. Consider donating other party decorations you don’t need, such as banners or paper lanterns.
Think about the types of events you’ll host in the future. If you’ll be moving to an apartment without a yard, you might let go of your outdoor entertaining supplies. Similarly, if you have many serving platters and dishes but won’t be hosting large events, you might want to donate some.
Now is also a good time to assess your party supplies. Do you have a handful of leftover plates, napkins and decor from theme parties? If there aren’t enough for another party or you won’t use that theme again, you might use the plates and napkins yourself at daily meals so they don’t go to waste. Consider donating other party decorations you don’t need, such as banners or paper lanterns.
Think about the types of events you’ll host in the future. If you’ll be moving to an apartment without a yard, you might let go of your outdoor entertaining supplies. Similarly, if you have many serving platters and dishes but won’t be hosting large events, you might want to donate some.
6. Cull Your Old Electronics
I commonly find unused cellphones, laptops, tablets, printers and televisions taking up prime storage space in my clients’ homes. This issue is worth addressing early, as these items require extra effort to dispose of since they can’t simply be thrown in the trash. Many electronic devices contain toxic chemicals that can leak from the landfill into groundwater and soil.
Check with your local waste-management company for options on recycling. Many cities and counties provide free hazardous-waste drop-off facilities. In addition, many electronic manufacturers and retail stores offer recycling programs.
Alternatively, you might consider donating electronics in working condition to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a veterans organization, or check to see if a local senior organization or recreation center could use them.
Of course, don’t forget to save personal files and photos to a cloud service or external hard drive. And be sure to wipe all personal information from your device before you recycle or donate it. This Consumer Reports article offers instructions for Apple, Windows and Chromebook users.
I commonly find unused cellphones, laptops, tablets, printers and televisions taking up prime storage space in my clients’ homes. This issue is worth addressing early, as these items require extra effort to dispose of since they can’t simply be thrown in the trash. Many electronic devices contain toxic chemicals that can leak from the landfill into groundwater and soil.
Check with your local waste-management company for options on recycling. Many cities and counties provide free hazardous-waste drop-off facilities. In addition, many electronic manufacturers and retail stores offer recycling programs.
Alternatively, you might consider donating electronics in working condition to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a veterans organization, or check to see if a local senior organization or recreation center could use them.
Of course, don’t forget to save personal files and photos to a cloud service or external hard drive. And be sure to wipe all personal information from your device before you recycle or donate it. This Consumer Reports article offers instructions for Apple, Windows and Chromebook users.
7. Unpack Boxes You Haven’t Touched Since You Moved In
Perhaps there are unopened boxes from your last move lurking in your basement, attic or garage. You may have packed in a hurry without sorting and purging your belongings. Boxes may have been packed haphazardly and not labeled properly.
This scenario often applies to my clients who relocated with small children. Boxes may remain unopened for years if their contents are unnecessary for the daily routine.
I recommend you delve into these boxes now. You might uncover a long-lost treasure — or you might find nothing of value and be happy to donate or toss the items. For things you want to keep, repack and label the box with a detailed description. After you move, be sure to unpack the box in your new home.
Perhaps there are unopened boxes from your last move lurking in your basement, attic or garage. You may have packed in a hurry without sorting and purging your belongings. Boxes may have been packed haphazardly and not labeled properly.
This scenario often applies to my clients who relocated with small children. Boxes may remain unopened for years if their contents are unnecessary for the daily routine.
I recommend you delve into these boxes now. You might uncover a long-lost treasure — or you might find nothing of value and be happy to donate or toss the items. For things you want to keep, repack and label the box with a detailed description. After you move, be sure to unpack the box in your new home.
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I save way too much stuff! But having moved quite a few times over the years, when I know we are selling the house or it’s in contract, I have sometimes had the luxury of a month or more to prepare. I designate one room on the house for boxes and totes. Then I start in one room and pack anything I don’t need every day, have a pile to go or maybe go out to trash or giveaway, then the things I know I will keep go into a tote. I keep a notebook and list the General thins and what room they will be in in the new house. When I have done this it is so much more organized than if o have a moving company pack for me.
Freecycle.org is a great way to get things you aren't using (like that hardware stash) to someone who will use it. Easy to list and people will come by to pick up.
I find your use of tiny ugly green text both offensive and unattractive ... DIFFICULT TO READ AND FAR TOO SMALL...
A good designer would NEVER do that.
If you don't change it to be black or very dark blur or purple and larger, Bub by,..