Tips for the ups and downs of moving

As the weather gets warmer,  more people start looking for their new home or apartment. There’s nothing more exciting than getting settled in a new home. Though at times it can be stressful, it’s worth all the redecorating and reorganizing.  I especially love becoming reacquainted with my possessions and travel mementos while trying to decide their place in my new dwelling. Unfortunately, the loveliest of your things can often be the hardest to move, either because of unusual proportions or because of their sentimental worth – but there a few tricks of the trade to help you get everything moved without any breakages or losses. Use the checklist below while you’re getting stuff packed and then, at the other end and with all your beautiful, practical belongings intact, make sure you’ve updated the address on your contents insurance!  I didn't kick my butt into gear until we experienced an earthquake here in Maryland, and then, an apartment 3 floors up suffered a fire!  My boyfriend and I finally decided not to put off getting renter's insurance any longer.

Bedroom
Probably the trickiest things to move here are your chest of drawers and dresser– if they’re small and relatively light, consider tying the drawers/door shut and transporting them clothes et al. If they’re heavy, you need to empty your clothes into an appropriate box with wrapping and some form of protection against creepy crawlies.  Don't use moth balls - naphthalene, the main ingredient in conventional moth balls was recently listed as a registered carcinogen by the U.S. government.  If you come across past mothballs in your house, put them in the trash, and air anything that holds their smell in the sun as often as possible.

Here is how to make an easy and effective moth repellent sachet:
This recipe will fill about a dozen sachets. You can buy herbs in bulk at almost any health food store:
• 2 ounces each dried rosemary and mint
• 1 ounce each dried thyme and American ginseng
• 8 ounces whole cloves

Via Care2.com

You might also have smaller valuables in your bedroom, like jewellery – it’s a good idea to take these with you in the car as you travel, rather than packing them in a cardboard box. You’ll avoid any worrying that they might get lost in the move.

via Pure Home Style
 

Moving is undoubtedly stressful, but it helps to think of it as a fresh start, and change can be invigorating. I personally love change. Your new home can be like a blank canvas where you can undo past design mistakes and/or incorporate a new look you've been wanting to try. via Southern Living

 Kitchen
This room could potentially take you the longest to pack because all of those glasses, plates and mugs are breakable. Wrap them individually in tissue paper or packing materials that you have saved overtime to reuse for just such circumstances (if they do break, at least the pieces will stay together) and then pad the box with blankets, marking it as fragile. Plates should be stacked vertically rather than horizontally – that way, they’re less likely to snap if something presses down on them from above. If you are taking large appliances like washing machines and freezers with you, they need to be thoroughly drained and defrosted before you attempt to pack them up – at least overnight. There’s no need to box them up but you will need to tape their doors/drawers shut and wrap them in protective foam to stop them from being scratched. 

via Southern Living

Living Room
Take the cushions of settees and chairs to save room, you can use them to pad other items in the truck, or stick in leftover crevices of space between boxes and furnishings. LED and flat screen TVs need to be kept upright or they’ll be damaged, so be careful where you put them – it’s not a bad idea to save the boxes and packaging from these items so they can be carefully transported in the future.  Books should be packed in smaller boxes because they can be quite heavy, and you don't want to pack a big box full of books.

via Bolig Magasinet

via Small Space Style



Bathroom It’s better to try and use up any old bottles of shampoo and shower soap you’ve got lying around rather than taking them to your new digs – keep the stuff you’ll need as soon as you’re settled with you in your toiletry bag. Towels and shower mats that are damp need to be aired so keep them hung up for as long as possible – then put them in a plastic bag and take them with you in the car so you don't forget about them and end up with mildewed towels.  If you're moving any mirrors apply an "X" over them with masking tape to help support them.  If they break, the tape helps control shards of mirror from getting all over the place.


*disclosure: this post is sponsored by directline.com