In the past 8 years or so I’ve moved more than 10 times. Now before you think I’m some flighty flake, most of those moves were during college and graduate school- where I never lived anywhere longer than a year. In all those moves, I’ve learned a lot of lessons about how to make your move as smooth and organized as possible. These are my top tips!

1. Don’t pay for boxes

I’ve only recently settled down my roots in my permanent home. The past 8 years or so I’ve moved a lot- through college, graduate school, moving in with my boyfriend, and finally, moving into my house. And I’ve never paid for boxes. Not one cent.

Instead, I look for free boxes on craigslist. Someone will always have recently moved to your area and want to get the boxes off their hands. Alternately, once you’ve finished unpacking, you can list your boxes on craigslist and have someone come pick them up and get rid of them for you.

Get boxes for free, and give them away for free and avoid ALL the hassle. It’s really the best way to move.

2. Pack by thinking about unpacking

It’s easy to get into a frenzy of just throwing things into boxes with other similar things. I like to think about unpacking before I even start packing. Your move will go so much easier if you plan by unpacking.

Instead of putting all your books in one box, put your textbooks in a box for your office and your novels in a book for you living room, for example. That way, when you move in, instead of moving things from room to room, you will just unpack each box in its own room.

And leave your clothes on the hangers. Seriously- it’s such a waste to take them off when packing and put them on when unpacking. I usually just lay mine flat in a huge duffel bag and it has always worked so well for me.

Before you start packing a box, think about what room that box will go in.

3. Label, label, label

What’s the point of organized packing if you don’t know what’s in the box? Label, and do it right away.

Seriously, your steps should be: pack, seal, LABEL. If you don’t do it right away you might forget what is in the box. Having a sharpie and masking tape around to label each box is so much more useful than you know.

I like to use two labels: one that says what room the box should go in, and one that summarizes what is in the box. So that way I know not to stack the box of novelty mugs on top of the box of my grandmother’s china. You don’t want to mess around with the irreplaceable stuff, which is another good reason to label.

Over-labeling is preferable to under-labeling. Go nuts!

4. Temporary storage will save you a lot of headaches

Unless you are one of the lucky few whose leases or closings line up perfectly, you might find yourself in a temporary living situation. You could move all your stuff into your temporary place, and then move it again to your next home, but that is a lot of work.

Instead, use temporary storage places. My favorite are the ones that will deliver a portable storage unit to you, you fill it, they store it, and then deliver it to your new place when you’re ready. I’ve made the mistake of not doing this before, and it is a real pain.

Why move twice when you can move once? Use portable storage units.

5. Furniture rental services are totally worth it

You COULD move all your furniture into your temporary place and then move it again into your new place… but that is just so much more work than necessary. Furniture rental is by far a better option.

Going hand in hand with using portable storage units is finding a way to furnish your temporary living situation. I can tell you first hand that CORT Furniture Rental is an amazing service who I am a big fan of. Their furniture is really great quality and affordable, and they have what you need for any sort of temporary living situation. They make it so convenient and easy.

Save yourself the headache and rent furniture when you move!

Good luck with your move, and I hope these tips help you stay organized!

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