Whether it is moving out on your own for the first time, into a new apartment, or a new house, relocating is a massive undertaking that can very quickly become overwhelming. We have curated a list of moving essentials to help you get everything in order before the big trek. This way, moving day doesn't have to be daunting. Start packing up, pick up your new keys, and follow these moving tips to get settled fast.

Moving Tips & Essentials for You

Packing up your entire life into boxes to move into a new residence is no small feat. Yet, how do you decide what to bring with you? How do you organize and pack efficiently? What will you need when you get to the other side? We have not only created a moving essentials list but also compiled moving tips to help you through this exciting stage of your life.

1. Buy Boxes & Storage Totes

While moving boxes are suitable for the short-term move from one location to another, storage tubs and totes are an investment you won't regret making. You will not only be able to safely transport items without the concern for the boxes tearing, breaking, or getting damaged by liquid, but you will also be able to store any items you may not immediately need in your new home. This is especially helpful if you are moving into a small space and have to rotate items seasonally. Here are a few more items you should add to your moving essentials list.

How to Pack in Your New Storage Tubs

The process of packing will require a number of things including:

• Packaging tape
• Markers (multiple in case you lose any or the ink runs out)
• Labels (if necessary)
• Bubble wrap (for fragile items)
• Garbage bags
• Utility cart/dolly (for moving heavy items)

Tip!

To save on space and use your belongings cleverly, try to utilize any blankets and throws, or extra bedding, towels, and even curtains to wrap up fragile items where possible.

1. Start With One Room First
While you might be tempted to pack everything in one go, remaining meticulous will not only make the move more efficient but also ensure unpacking is less stressful because everything is easy to find.

2. Pare Down as Much as Possible
There is no point in keeping things you don't use. When it comes to items like clothing, makeup, and even food, make three piles – keep, donate, and toss. Try to be as ruthless as possible and remember you are starting afresh with only your new home necessities, so holding onto redundant, outdated, and expired things will do you no good.

3. Label EVERYTHING
Have you ever searched through boxes only to discover what you are looking for isn't in there? The best way to avoid this is by thoroughly organizing and precisely labeling every single box. Clear storage totes are also super helpful in this case as you will quickly be able to peek inside without opening the lid.

Tip!

Don't just label the boxes with their contents, but include their specific rooms too. This will help you when it comes time to unpack by letting you know what can stay in storage a little longer vs. what you immediately need.

4. Break Down Furniture
If you have any modular furniture such as shelves or tables that can come apart, place any components like screws and bolts in a small bag and securely tape them to the underside of one of the pieces to ensure they don't get lost.

5. Storage & Organization
Make sure to check out our large selection of storage and organization options for your moving essentials list to help you pack away your homeware.

2. Choose Your Cleaning Supplies

Once you have packed everything up, you will need to begin cleaning. It's a good idea to keep the necessary tools and supplies on a separate moving packing list. This is so that you can perform a thorough deep cleaning on your old home to make everything look brand new for the next owners, as well as clean your new home for a fresh start.

Vacuum: Once your furniture is packed, you will need to get to work on the floors, vacuuming them thoroughly to ensure all dirt and debris is gone. This is also the time to bring out all those nifty accessories like stair and couch cleaners to go all out.

Broom: While vacuums are effective, there can be some missed nooks and crannies that only a good old broom can reach.

Duster: Make sure to dust all fan blades, light fixtures, ceilings and baseboards too. They are notorious for gathering grime that you can easily overlook.

Carpet Deep Cleaners: Should you have any carpeting, a complete clean will help breathe new life into them. You would be surprised at how much of a difference a carpet cleaning can make in a space.

Mop: Any other hardwood, laminate, and tile flooring will need to be mopped up and cleaned of any other dirt marks once they have been swept and vacuumed.

3. Separately Store Bed & Bath Essentials

Amidst all the chaos of arriving at your new home, you may not immediately consider everything you will need when you get there. Set aside a box or two of important moving essentials you will need once you're settled. Some of those things are bedding and pillows. Regardless if you intend to use the current set of linens on your bed (in which case it's a good idea to give them a wash before you leave) or a fresh set for everyone in the house, place them in a readily accessible box for the first night in your new home.

Tip!

If your bed frame and mattress are not already going to be set up, you might want to invest in an air mattress for a quick setup so you have somewhere to sleep. Add to that emergency lanterns and lamps just in case the power isn't connected.

Additional Soft Furnishing Essentials You Will Need

There are a handful of other new home necessities that you may overlook but will be important once you arrive.

Towels: Bath towels for when you clean off after all your labor. Again, keeping them readily accessible will keep you from scratching through boxes to find them.

Bath Mat: It may seem silly but if you think about it, you probably want to avoid water on your brand new bathroom floor to keep cleanup to a minimum.

Shower Caddy: A useful way to carry your shower essentials such as soap/body wash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, is to place them in a caddy which you can simply remove and hang up.

Shower Curtain: If you prefer to shower, you should bring with or buy a new curtain. Just like with the bath mat, you don't want your floors to become messy while you clean up.

Curtains: The last thing you want is to wake up with the sun in your eyes or the neighbors peeking into your bedroom. Be sure to pack your curtains within reach so you can hang them up asap.

4. Remember Your Kitchen Essentials

While pizza and sodas will make a great first night meal, it's unlikely you want to eat that for the rest of the week. Pick out your kitchen essentials for your moving packing list and store them safely so they won't break but are ready to access.

Tip!

To make things even easier on yourself, you may want to get disposable dinnerware so you don't have to worry about cleanup. If not – below are the kitchen moving essentials you will need.

Plates & Bowls: Select plates and bowls for each family member – plates for meals and bowls for breakfast if needed.

Drinkware: Drinking glasses (and maybe a wine glass or two) will be great to have on hand as moving is thirsty work. You can also bring with you or store water bottles for on-the-go hydration.

Cutlery: Knives, forks, and spoons will cover all types of meals you may eat. Again – one set for each family member will be more than enough. A flatware caddy will provide quick and easy storage.

Paper Towels & Holders: There will be plenty of messes to clean up and paper towels will come in handy to do the trick. Having your paper towel holder there will help prevent the rolls from going rogue and you having to search for them.

Trash Can & Bags: With messes comes trash that will need to be disposed of. While having your kitchen trash can at hand is an ideal way to make the job a lot easier, at a minimum you should certainly keep a full roll of trash bags at all times.

Pots & Pans: If you do intend to cook, try to set aside your most used pot and pan for quick meals that are easy to make.

Knives & Cutting Board: Even just one or two kitchen knives will be helpful and allow you to prepare meals. A cutting board will help too.

Cooking Utensils: Anything you foresee yourself making, try to bring the required cooking utensils for. Things like a spatula, wooden spoon, and even tongs for a BBQ if you prefer.

5. Pack Any Other Essentials

Over the next few weeks as you begin to pack, try to take note of what things you use on a daily basis. These are likely to be things you will pack last since you will be using them right up until you move. Here are a few you may need:

• Phone chargers
• Overnight bag (with sleepwear and at least one change of clothes)
• Medication (make sure you refill your supply as close to the time as possible)
• Tool kit (tool storage items will help keep them all together)
• A safe (to keep your valuables such as jewelry as well as passports and documents in)
• First aid kit
• Pet supplies (water and food bowls, beds, litter boxes, etc)

6. Move Into Your New Home

While you may be in a hurry to move into your new home, take your time to carefully and methodically tackle each room. Before unpacking, wipe the floors, baseboards, window sills, and cabinets to freshen up the space. Then, scrub out wall marks, make any necessary paint touch-ups, and for a dose of personality, hang peel-and-stick wallpaper.

From there you can prioritize where to start unpacking, for example the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom are all more important than the study, lounge, and craft room. Thanks to your careful packing and use of your moving essentials like, you will be able to organize your new home in no time. We have a large number of guides on organizing various parts of your home – give them a read:
How to Organize Spices & Reduce Clutter
Best Makeup Organizers to Streamline Your Vanity
Tips & Ideas for Organizing a Dresser With Ease
Clever Ideas for Craft-Room Organization
How to Organize Tools

Armed with the knowledge of these moving essentials, you can now make your transition into your new home as painless as possible.

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