Moving into a new home is exciting, but there’s also a lot to remember. With a little planning, you’ll settle in more easily and have your home running smoothly right from the start.
Here are our best tips for an easier move:
- Clean before you unpack the boxes
- Pack a box for the first day
- Go room by room
- Don’t rush to find a place for everything right away
- Sort your belongings as you unpack
- Make use of storage space for items that don’t fit
- Remember the practical details
1. Clean before you unpack the boxes
If possible, clean the apartment thoroughly before the moving boxes and furniture are brought in. Empty rooms are much easier to clean.
Start with the kitchen and bathroom, then clean the floors, cabinets, and surfaces.
2. Pack a box for the first day
Pack a separate box or bag with items you’ll need right away.
These might include:
- Toilet paper and towels
- Soap and toiletries
- Chargers
- Coffee and essential kitchen utensils
- Bedding
- A change of clothes
- Medication
This way, you won’t have to dig through every moving box on the first night.
3. Go room by room
It can be tempting to unpack a little bit everywhere, but that quickly creates clutter. Instead, start with the most important rooms – usually the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
Once one room is done, you can move on to the next.
4. Don’t rush to find a place for everything right away
You don’t have to decide on the first day where everything will go. Give yourself time to settle in and see how you actually use the space.
This will make it easier to find furniture and storage solutions that actually work for you.
5. Sort your belongings as you unpack
Moving is a great opportunity to go through your belongings.
Try creating three categories, for example:
- Keep – items you use and want in your home.
- Donate or sell – items you no longer need.
- Store – items you want to keep but don’t need to have on display.
This way, you’ll avoid filling your new home with things you don’t actually use.
6. Make use of storage space for items that don’t fit
You don’t necessarily need to bring all your belongings home right away.
A storage unit provides extra space for things like furniture, moving boxes, sports equipment, or seasonal items when you’re moving into your new home.
It can also be a great solution if you’re moving to a smaller home and haven’t yet decided what to keep.
7. Remember the practical details
Once the moving boxes are mostly in place, there are still a few practical matters worth taking care of.
Remember to:
- Submit a change of address notification
- Update any necessary contracts and insurance policies
- Check your internet connection
- Familiarize yourself with the waste sorting guidelines
- Add your name to the mailbox and door
- Keep important moving-related documents
- Enjoy your new home
Not everything has to be done on the first day. Give yourself time to settle in and figure out what works best in your new home.
If you have belongings you want to keep but don’t have room for right now, a storage unit can give your move the extra space it needs.
Is your new home short on space?
At Pelican, you’ll find storage units in a range of sizes, so you can choose the right fit for your belongings.
Find your nearest Pelican and check available storage units.