10 Apartment Moving Tips for a Hassle-Free Relocation

Around 40 million people in the U.S. are moving every year. If you’re planning you’re next big move, you’re definitely not alone! Even though it happens often, moving is still a difficult and tiring process. However, if you’re dreading the big day, there’s a lot you can do to make things easier on yourself. Read on for our top 10 apartment moving tips to help you prepare for your next move.

1. Look Up Apartment Moving Tips and Assess Your Needs Beforehand

One of the most important apartment moving tips to keep in mind is this: figure everything out ahead of time. This means taking a step back and asking yourself what you will need in order to make everything run as smoothly as possible.

For example, how much manpower will you need? Now is the time to call in favors and start rounding up all the help you can get.

You should also consider whether or not you will need to hire a moving company. You’ll have to secure a date in advance, so don’t procrastinate.

Look up moving tips and tricks ahead of time and be realistic with your plan. The last thing you want to do is underestimate your workload, so be sure you’ve got a solid idea before you start preparing for your move.

2. Downsize Your Belongings

This is one of those apartment moving tips that practically goes without saying: if you have fewer belongings, your move will be a whole lot easier. Now is the perfect time to reassess your personal inventory and get rid of everything you don’t need. That way, you’ll have less to move when the big day comes.

Start by doing a major declutter of your home. If you’re having trouble, check out some decluttering advice online and start tackling the project well in advance. Throw away any garbage, receipts, mail, and anything else you that you don’t need to take over to your new place.

Next, start evaluating large items, such as furniture and electronics. Is it time to upgrade anything? How often do you use it?

Sell anything you can, donate what you can’t sell, and be sure you’re paring your belongings down to the bare essentials. You’ll be thanking yourself when moving days arrives.

3. Stay Organized and Create a Moving List

There’s a lot to take care of before you move. It helps to create a moving list that will allow you to visualize and keep track of everything.

For example, do you need to return your cable box or cancel your utilities? Create a checklist and write all the corresponding dates on your calendar to stay organized.

You should also be sure to keep your boxes organized and label the contents. That way, you’ll know where to put everything and it will be a lot easier to unpack.

4. Stock Up on Supplies

The last thing you want when you’re moving is to run out of supplies. That’s why it’s wise to stock up beforehand with plenty of tape, padding, and packing materials to complete the job.

Also, be sure to rent moving boxes ahead of time so you have enough to complete your packing.

To be sure you have enough, you can start packing in advance and store your boxes ahead of time. This will allow you to have everything packed, protected, and ready to go.

5. Protect Breakables

Another one of the best moving tips to remember is to wrap all your fragile items carefully. You can use packaging materials like bubble wrap, or sheets and clothing.

It’s a good idea to keep fragile items in plastic moving boxes. The hard container will act as a barrier and protect your breakables from being bumped or crushed.

6. Secure Everything

Depending on where you’re going, you’re likely in for a bumpy ride! Especially if you’re trying to haul your entire life while you’re at it. That’s why one of the most essential moving tips is this: make sure everything is secure ahead of time.

If you’re renting a van or truck, use ropes or cables to secure heavy items, such as furniture. You definitely don’t want these items to end up sliding around and potentially causing a bunch of damage.

Fragile items should be packaged carefully and wrapped well to avoid breakage. If you’re concerned with whether an item will survive the move, bring it with you separately and keep it in your car or the truck’s cab if there’s room.

Be sure you’re also closing up any gaps and spaces between your items that could cause them to slide around. One of the best moving tips and hacks to remember is to use sheets, blankets, and clothing as extra padding for the ride.

You also want to be sure your boxes will stay put during travel. Stackable plastic moving boxes work perfectly to keep all your small items secure during transport. As an added bonus, they’re sturdier and will prevent their contents from being crushed, no matter how many boxes you decide to stack.

If you’re transporting liquids, like shampoos or detergents, here’s one of our favorite moving tips: take the cap off, wrap the top in plastic wrap, then put the cap back on. That way, you won’t be dealing with any spillage during the moving process.

7. Visit Your New Home Beforehand

If you can, it’s a good idea to visit your new place before your big moving day. This will help you fully prepare for a quick and painless move.

Here are a few moving tips to remember if you can visit your new place ahead of time:

Take measurements and figure out if your furniture will fit beforehand.
Do some cleaning if necessary.
Start plotting your new layout so you’ll know where to place boxes during moving day.

You’ll be able to plan your move a lot better if you evaluate your new place before you begin making your moving list. This will help you prepare and also figure out what you should bring and what you shouldn’t.

8. Pack a Bag of Overnight Essentials

Moving is hard work, so here’s one of those key moving tips and hacks to remember: prepare an overnight bag with all of your daily necessities. Bring your shower supplies, toiletries, and any other essentials you’re going to want immediately.

It’s also a good idea to pack a change of clothes and some pajamas for the night of the move. You’re probably going to be really tired when it’s over, so you’ll be making things a lot easier on yourself if you get an overnight bag ready. That way, when you’re exhausted after a long day of moving, you won’t have to dig through your boxes or start unpacking in order to get what you need for the night.

9. Dress Comfortably

On the day of the big move, you’re likely going to be in for a long day. The last thing you want to be doing is struggling with clothing that isn’t suited for the job.

Go for loose, comfortable clothing, like sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Don’t get anything too loose though, as it could end up getting stuck or snagged when you’re moving things.

You should also pick a comfortable and supportive pair of gym shoes or non-slip boots. That way, you’ll stay comfy, even after a great deal of walking.

Be sure you’re also dressing for the weather. You don’t want to end up sweating or being too cold when you’re trying to move! A good plan is dressing in light layers and adding or removing where necessary.

10. Safety First

One of the most important moving tips is this: prioritize your personal safety. Moving is a hard and potentially dangerous process, so you’ll need to be careful in order to avoid injury.

First of all, be sure you’re not taking on more than you can handle. If an item is too heavy or awkward to carry, don’t try to do it. Instead, look for help or get the proper equipment to move the item safely.

It’s a good idea to look into personal protective gear, such as moving straps or heavy-duty gloves. A nice pair of sturdy slip-resistant shoes or boots will also help you stay safe during the moving process.

Another thing to keep in mind is the boxes you’re using. Regular cardboard boxes are prone to breakage, which can potentially lead to you getting hurt. Your best bet is to invest in sturdy plastic moving boxes that are durable and built for moving. That way, you won’t end up with broken items (or toes).

If you’re doing a lot of heavy lifting, it’s a good idea to review OSHA’s safety protocols to learn more about proper posture and technique. This will minimize your risk of injury and prepare you for a quick and painless moving process.

Get Ready to Move!

Moving can be a real challenge, but with the right preparation, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. Now that you’ve got some moving tips to remember, start getting ready for your big move!

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