Moving into a new home brings happiness but it can also bring on some stress. Whether you decide to hire movers for your big day or you decide to take the DIY route, we want to help make the big day a little easier for. If you have decided that you have enough trusted friends or family members to help with the move and want to go the DIY route here are some tips and tricks you should know to help the move be as stress-free as possible.
Boxes, lots of boxes!
This one is pretty obvious but we still thought it was worthy of making this list! When you are doing the moving by yourself (heavy lifting), it is much more difficult when you are using flimsy boxes from odds and ends places that have no durability. It is best to go to your local moving company where they sell durable, heavy duty moving boxes with matching lids. They also carry speciality boxes for items such as mirrors or artwork and they have wardrobe boxes complete with hanging racks (this will save you so much time!) that will help to put your closet back in order in no time.
Packing Tape
In order to seal all of those boxes you’ve just packed you need some good packing tape. This tape can be pricey but the higher the price usually indicates a higher quality. The cheaper tape tends to be flimsy and ends up not doing the job it is supposed to therefore requiring you to use more of it. The heavy duty tape is usually one strip and you are good to go! A little tip would be to buy this in a bulk quantity as it usually prices out cheaper per roll that way.
Moving Blankets
You might be wondering why you need moving blankets but trust us when we say, you will want or need them! As careful as you may think you are, moving heavy furniture and loading it onto a moving truck to add dings and scrapes to your nice furniture. What is worse is getting a grease stain or tear on a beautifully upholstered couch (ouch!) The blankets will provide a cushion in between your boxes and furniture ensure a safe trip to the new home. Simply tape the blankets (with that heavy boxing tape that you just bought in bulk) and you will have a better peace of mind with your furniture.
Stretch Plastic Wrap
If you are wondering what this is you probably aren’t the only one! This comes in a roll and it stretches and clings itself to your items (think of it as a large roll of Saran Wrap!) You can use this to wrap around multiple items or boxes and keep them tightly together. The best thing about this plastic wrap is that it does not leave a sticky residue.
Bubble Wrap
This is another must-have when it comes to moving day. Bubble wrap helps to provide cushion between delicate china and other glassware and dishes. This is a must if you want to ensure that no dishware gets broken during the move. The larger the bubbles, the more cushion it will provide. Plus it is a great stress reliever if you just want to pop it after the fact!
Packing Paper
This is different than your standard tissue paper and much more durable. This flexible, thin, but very durable paper is great for filling in those extra gaps in the boxes. This will help keep your items in one place and not move around inside the boxes. If you have a lot of delicate items in one box but still plenty of room for them to possibly move around and break this paper will be your best friend!
Paper or Cloth Towels
When you go to pack your coffee mugs and drinking glasses stuffing paper towels in between them will help to avoid cracks or breaks. They also come in handy when you need a towel to clean up a mess. The best part is when you move to your new place you can use those paper towels for future messes that need cleaning! If you are looking for a greener tip we suggest using your clean dish towels between your cups.
Carpet Protection
Most DIY movers don’t think of this one, but using it will make all the difference. This is a plastic protection that you put on your carpet to help easily drag heavy furniture items. It won’t drag on the carpet and it will protect the carpet from the constant walking in and out of the house. This is extremely important if you have someone moving into the home and want to preserve the look of the carpet.
A Moving Dolly
If you are enlisting the help of your friends and family you want to make sure they don’t get hurt while helping you. It is important to invest in those little disks that go underneath furniture to help move it across the floor. This take the stress off the back and hopefully will prevent any injury. Dollies are great for lifting several boxes at a time because we all know the number lifting heavy boxes can take on your back!
Utility Knives
This one is a no-brainer when it comes to unpacking those boxes. The last thing you want to realize is that you packed all of your scissors away and have nothing to cut open those boxes! Keeping a box cutter on hand will make the unpacking process much easier.
Professional movers come with an arsenal of items that you probably didn’t even realize you needed when it comes to moving. Since you are the ultimate DIYer we hope that this list has armed you with everything you will need to make your moving day go smoothly. We know how exciting it can be to move into your new dream home therefore eliminating any stress that comes from moving is always nice! Congrats on your new home!