How to Make Moving as Painless as Possible
Moving will never be completely pain-free, but these small steps will soften the blow.
It’s an unfortunate certainty that moving will always take longer than we want it to, cost more than we’d budgeted for, and end with at least one treasured item damaged. Make it a bit easier with these four considerations.
Give Yourself a Long Runway
Whether you’re moving a one-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom house, the whole moving process often takes much longer than we expect. The most stressful situation to end up in is needing to be out of one house on the same day you gain access to the next. Even if you’re only moving down the street, planning for lots of trips back and forth and plenty of truck or trailer space will speed the process along.
With local moves, splitting the moving process into a few days (or weekends) can make each bit much less stressful. Dedicate one full day to moving small, packed items, another for furniture, another for cleaning out the old place, and at least a few more for getting settled and organized in your new home. If you’re moving a longer distance, consider hiring help with packing or beginning your packing and loading process as many days in advance as you can. Extend your truck rental a bit so that you have time to pack gradually.
Hire Assistance
If you can, hire movers to help with at least some of the load. Many of us try to make do by enlisting family and friends in the area, but even then we end up coordinating schedules and making ourselves liable for loved ones lifting heavy objects. Not everyone can afford to hire a team to pack, load, and transport each and every item, but even booking a couple of movers for the minimum number of hours can get your heaviest furniture taken care of on a local move.
Purchase Equipment
Large plastic bins, dollies, and furniture rollers take moving day from a backbreaking endeavor to a reasonable task. Especially if you don’t plan to hire movers, purchasing or renting some version of a set of wheels to get your furniture around on is crucial. It’ll make you faster and will allow you to get more done each day, instead of tiring out after lugging a huge couch across town without proper equipment. Particularly if you’re moving from an apartment with long hallways and torturous elevator wait times, you’ll thank yourself for investing in a few simple rollers!
Organize in Phases
Once you’ve got everything in your new home, phase out the rest of your process. It’s often easiest to move boxes or bins into the room they’ll end up in, then prioritize the unpacking and organizing by room.
Of course, logistics like purchasing the appropriate furniture or storage shelving can throw a wrench in this plan, but it does still provide a less overwhelming framework for settling in. Focus on the kitchen and bedrooms first, then workspaces and living areas, followed by extra rooms like gyms, playrooms, and guest rooms. That way, even before you’re completely done, you can use your most essential areas and enjoy watching each room come together little by little!
Moving is more bearable when you’re heading to your dream home! Partner with design geniuses and experts to help you customize your home when you work with Atmos.
