My grandparents were avid movers, always ready to relocate at the drop of a hat. When the moving trucks arrived, my grandfather would warmly greet the familiar faces of the removal men before heading off to work. Later in the day, upon returning to the new house, he wouldn’t even realize it was a different place since everything was meticulously placed just as it was before. My mother used to joke that he had a knack for making any house feel like home.
Moving is widely regarded as one of life’s most stressful events, and I can certainly attest to that. I vividly remember the anxiety I felt while staring at a mountain of my belongings piled up outside the nearby pub, the only spot where the movers could park. They had greatly underestimated the amount of stuff I had, and by 11am, they informed me that all their vans were full and no other vehicles were available. I frantically called every man with a van I could think of, both known and unknown, and luckily stumbled upon someone who happened to have an empty van just 30 minutes away. I cried tears of gratitude and thankfully, the rest of my move went smoothly after that inauspicious start.
As an interior decorator with 30 years of experience, I’ve witnessed my fair share of dramatic house moves. From my observations, I’ve noticed that most moving mishaps tend to occur for one of two reasons: either you or the movers underestimate the amount of belongings you have, or you fail to adequately prepare for the big day.
So, how can you ensure a seamless moving process? Just like with many things in life, the key is organization. Properly sorting and packing your belongings beforehand is crucial. Now is the time to come to terms with the fact that you don’t need to hold onto old school reports, race badges, or useless bits of string. It’s better to let go and donate or sell these items instead of paying for unnecessary storage. The “out of sight, out of mind” mentality can be hazardous when it comes to moving. Moving is an emotional experience, but it also presents an opportunity for a fresh start.
I meticulously plan and visualize where everything will go in the new space, including furniture layouts, so I have a clear idea of what will fit and what won’t. It’s important to be realistic and let go of items that simply won’t work in the new environment. In the UK, there are several charities that accept donations of unwanted clothes, books, and toys, such as the British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder, and Age Concern. Space NK even recycles old makeup and toiletries. Utilizing platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay is also satisfying, as it allows your unwanted items to find new homes.
Here’s another tip: let go of items instead of paying for excessive storage. The “out of sight, out of mind” mindset can be dangerous, and you may only realize its consequences when you unpack that kettle you could have donated years ago and calculate how much it cost you to hold onto it.
Before the big move, prepare an emergency bag a few days in advance, and don’t forget to include a corkscrew. Packers tend to swiftly move through the house once they start, and it’s easy for odd items to end up tucked away in corners of boxes. You don’t want to find yourself unable to locate essentials like your toothbrush or phone charger amidst the chaos. On moving day, it’s helpful to have multiple printouts of the floor plan for the new house or flat, and to number the rooms. Display the plans wherever possible and have numbered labels ready to stick on the doors. Assigning room numbers to the boxes will minimize confusion. The movers may refer to the rooms differently than you, so it’s best to prevent the repetitive question of “Where do you want this box, love?”
Now comes the unpacking process. This is when you’ll be grateful that you decluttered before the move. For me, it becomes a race against time as I attempt to empty as many boxes as possible before the movers leave. This leaves a flurry of tissue paper and bubble wrap in my wake as I swiftly place items in their designated spots.
Having help with unpacking is fantastic, but it’s important to avoid micromanaging and wasting both your time and the movers’ time. Focus on unpacking essentials like china and getting books on the shelves. The finer details can be addressed later, and it’s easier to see things when they’re out of boxes. Personally, I like to prioritize setting up my bedroom early on. The thought of collapsing into a beautifully made bed at the end of a long day brings me comfort. If you have the space, designating one room as a temporary storage area for items that don’t need immediate unpacking can be helpful.
If you haven’t arranged for curtains or if the previous owner didn’t leave any behind, consider installing temporary blackout blinds for restful sleep until your new curtains arrive.
Hangings such as pictures and mirrors take up valuable floor space until they are properly placed on walls and can easily get damaged during the chaos of the move. I highly recommend booking an installer to hang mirrors the day after your move. Here’s a clever idea: have the installer hang all the pictures that you haven’t decided on a specific placement for yet on the walls of your designated storeroom. This turns the storeroom into a mini gallery, allowing you to “shop” for wall art once you’ve arranged your furniture in its final positions.
And one final piece of advice: schedule a window cleaner for two days after the move. By then, you should have organized most of the dreaded boxes and almost everything will be in place. Seeing your windows beautifully clean will provide a sense of progress and accomplishment.
House moves always seem to involve solving the problems left by previous moves. Nonetheless, I’ve discovered that staying organized and having connections can rescue you from even the tightest situations. While we may not all possess the moving expertise of my grandmother, anything short of having your boxes dumped outside the local pub should be considered a success.
Now, if only there was an app that could seamlessly transfer utilities to your new address with the touch of a button. That would truly be a triumph.
Emma Burns is joint managing director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler
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