Realestock Blog

Moving can be rotten and irritating. The Realestock blogger is moving this week and has spent the better part of the month stressing about details small (running cable to the bedroom) and large (there are NO CURTAINS YET).

If you’re moving soon, enjoy our 10 moving tips:

1. Label boxes in priority order: A-B-C makes moving easy as… well, you get it. Labeling boxes of high priority as A, middling priority as B and low as C means that it’s quick and easy to locate the boxes you need to unpack first. Who wants to unpack the blender, the cookie sheets and the turkey pan you use once a year because the box was labeled ‘kitchen’ before finally finding the ‘kitchen’ box you really need right away – the one with the coffee maker!
2. Pack early: Nobody like packing. However, starting a month early on infrequently used items (books, seasonal ornaments, etc) means you can pack two boxes a day. That will equal 60 boxes in a month - far better than trying to pack 60 boxes in a weekend.
3. Be Generous: (to your local charities) Moving is the perfect time to get rid of old items you never use or that your children have outgrown. Instead of paying to move them, and then returning them to dusty disuse, donate old clothes, toys, knick knacks and kitchen supplies to those less fortunate and give the items the second lives they deserve.
4. Plan your space: Take a detailed floor plan of the new space and measurements of your furniture. You’ll know ahead of time if you have room to take large pieces (such as beds and desks) and if you’ve already worked out a preliminary floor plan, it’s much easier to start slotting the big items into place.
5. Unpack the bed first: if nothing else, you will need to sleep in your new home!
6. Don’t try to get it done in one day: Make your first priority handy things like kitchens, workspaces and the bedroom. If all your art isn’t up on the first day, it’s not the end of the world. Form before function should be the unpacking mantra.
7. Pack an overnight bag: Making your toothpaste & pajamas easy to find will greatly reduce your moving stress – nobody want to be in a rush to unpack because they can’t take a shower or change their underpants until they do.
8. Keep children and pets in mind: moving is stressful for kids and animals – try to set them up a safe, quiet area where they can safely be out of your hair while you unpack.
9. Don’t fret over your diet: Pizza and beer are well deserved and guilt free after a day of schlepping boxes. Never forget that!
10. Recycle & clean: find the local recycling depot before you arrive at your new home so you know where you can take your empty boxes and discarded packing material. Nothing drags out the feeling of moving more than living with stacks of empty boxes and waste you don’t know where to take.

Photo: Powerhouse Museum

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Disclaimer: by redecorate I don’t mean throw everything out and buy thousands of dollars worth of furniture and accessories. I mean take a step back, asses your space, re-organize, edit, re-paint, change accent colours… just try something new. Who truly says “my home is perfect just the way it is” anyhow?!

1. Winter’s got you depressed enough already – this will take your mind off it.
2. It’s the perfect excuse to purge clutter.
3. Your space doesn’t seem to work right – it’s not inviting/clean/functional enough.
4. You loved those totally on trend grey walls for about 2 weeks, but now you’re regretting them intensely.
5. You’ve recently gotten a new pet/baby/roommate.
6. You’ve outgrown your action figure collection… maybe it’s not something you want to display so prominently anymore.
7. You’re going stir crazy and you’ve got cabin fever. Redecorating the cabin might help…
8. Moving furniture is great exercise for the mind and body – you use spatial planning abilities to determine where it should go and you get a great workout lugging it around.
9. You’ve been dying to try bringing a pop of colour into your space.
10. Too many things you own are neither beautiful, nor useful.
11. You’re eyeing some new home accessories, but you follow the strict 1 in, 1 out policy. Things need to go before more stuff comes in.
12. New year, new look!
13. You’re moving – you can reassess your style and start fresh at your new home.
14. Your space lacks a strong focal point.
15. Your space just doesn’t make you happy when you’re in it.
16. Your house doesn’t feel like a home.
17. You’re constantly reading design and real estate blogs plotting ways to improve your home – you’re probably full of great ideas!

Photo credit: Matt Hutchinson

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