Moving to a new home is a life-changing experience. A change of residence is most often stressful and involves a lot of issues at the same time. Packing things, disassembling furniture, finding a car and movers, preparing the new apartment for occupancy - these are just a few tasks from a large list. But if everything is properly planned and prepared, the move can go quite easily and without unpleasant surprises.
How to prepare for the move
Organizing a move is not easy. But planning can help make the process easier. By following these instructions step by step, you will be able to do everything quickly and without additional complications.
Step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for the move:
- Take an inventory of your belongings. Thoroughly check closets, chests of drawers and other storage areas. There's no point in dragging things that have been lying around for months into a new apartment. Throw away damaged items, give unwanted clothes to the poor, sell things that are still in good condition but no longer useful.
- Purchase boxes and bags of different sizes for packing. You will also need duct tape, bubble wrap, markers, and vacuum bags.
- Start collecting things that you don't use right now. This could be seasonal clothing, books, documents, bedding, decorations, paintings, etc.
- Arrange with a transportation company to rent a truck with a driver for a suitable date. Tell friends or relatives that their help will be needed, if they don't mind. If there is a lot of stuff or your loved ones can't help, find a moving company.
- Disassemble and prepare your furniture. Pack appliances so that nothing gets damaged during the move.
- Pack up the rest of your belongings. Separate the things you will need immediately after the move. This can be dishes, kettle, hygiene products, towels, bed linen, etc.
Now everything is ready to move into the new apartment. If there are small children in the family, it is best to have a grandmother or a nanny look after them on the "X" day, as they can interfere with the process.
How to pack when moving
Moving house will be easier if you buy the right packing materials. Boxes of different sizes will be useful for things: you can take small boxes - 17 x 12 x 9 cm and large boxes - 60 x 30 x 30 cm. In large boxes you should pack light, bulky, large-sized things, for example, clothes, blankets, toys, some equipment. Small boxes are more suitable for small and heavy items. They are used to pack books, dishes, folders with documents. For a two-room apartment, 20-30 boxes are usually enough.
Bags, pouches and vacuum bags are a convenient packing option for textiles. You can put blankets, bedspreads, curtains, outerwear, pillows in them. It is convenient to carry such bags even if they turn out to be quite heavy. Bubble wrap should be used for wrapping dishes.
When packing things, you should sign the boxes - what is stored in them and for which room the contents are intended. This way, the movers will be able to take the box to the right place at once, and you won't have to open all the boxes at once when sorting things out.
One or two boxes should be allocated for essentials. This will avoid stress after the move. It will have everything you need for relaxation and simple meals.
How to prepare a new apartment for moving
If you can get into your new apartment before you move in, it can make life a lot easier. Before you move your belongings in, it's a good idea to do a general cleaning. While the apartment is empty, it is much easier to put it in order than when it is already full of boxes. This will allow you to concentrate on assembling and arranging furniture and putting things away after the move.
If the apartment is new and has been recently renovated, you will still need to dust the surfaces and air the room. If the apartment is not new, it is worth checking that everything is working properly. You may need to change the lighting in the bedroom, call a plumber for a dripping tap, fix the lock on the door, etc. You may not have time for these things in the first few weeks after moving in.
Lifehacks when moving to a new apartment
Some lifehacks will help make the moving process easier. Here are some useful tips for those who are planning to change their place of residence in the near future:
- Clean carpets, wash curtains and clothes back at the old apartment. This will save energy and time after the move.
- Put things in the same category in the same box. Don't mix dishes and clothes, books and hygiene products. With this approach, you won't have to run between rooms when it's time to sort things out.
- It is best to have separate boxes for each member of the family. This way, everyone can sort out their belongings and place them in the way that is most convenient for them.
- If you number the boxes and make a numbered list of what is stored where, you can keep track of whether all the boxes have been loaded into the car and taken to the new apartment.
- It is best to sign the boxes from all sides, as the movers can put them in any way they like. This will give you a quick glance at what's in the box without having to turn it over and open it.
- If you designate each room with its own color and buy several variants of colored tape, you can simplify the process of unloading things. The movers will carry boxes with green tape to the living room, yellow tape to the kitchen, red tape to the children's room, etc.
And there's one more flyhack - plan your move for the morning or lunchtime. Moving things in the evening risks the fact that you will have to carry the boxes from the car and unpack them at home at night.
What you need for the first time in a new apartment (list)
The list of things you need for the first time in a new apartment does not mean that you have to go to the store and buy everything listed. These things may already be available in the old apartment. Here it is important to pack them separately, so that you don't have to search through boxes for a long time.
So, what you need for the first time in the apartment after the move:
- utensils - cups, plates, spoons, forks;
- electric kettle, pots, pans;
- garbage bags;
- cleaning supplies - broom, mop, bucket, wipes;
- medicines;
- chargers;
- personal hygiene products - shampoo, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste;
- towels;
- bed linen, blankets, pillows.
If there is not enough furniture in the new apartment, you will have to buy some at once. But this is only if we are talking about really necessary things, such as a bed, a dining table or stools.
What are the superstitions and omens of moving into a new apartment
There are many superstitions and superstitions associated with moving to a new place. So, those who move are advised to take a broom with them from the old apartment. It will bring good luck in the new place. Also on the last night in the old apartment it is advised to put an empty bag and a bowl of milk near the front door. This is how the houseboy should realize that it is time to move out. The bag, of course, should be taken with you to your new home.
When you arrive at the new apartment, the first thing you should do is to let the cat in. The place that the cat will choose is best not to occupy with furniture or other things. It is believed that the house cat will live in this place.
On the first day after moving in, you should light a candle and go around all the corners of each room with it. You can just stand in each corner, you can recite incantations. Such a rite promises happiness in the new house. And also in a new apartment it is worth buying a new salt shaker, and the old one should not be taken away, so as not to transport with you a pud of salt and tears.
Whether or not to believe in the examples, it is up to you. But useful tips on preparing for a move or packing your belongings are worth putting into action.
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