6 Expert-Approved Moving Hacks From a Professional Organizer
These tips take the stress out of moving day.
There’s one truth that anyone who has ever moved can attest to: It can be stress inducing. Between nailing down movers or actually making the time to pack, the never ending to-do list has a way of making you feel a bit overwhelmed.
But Michelle Hobgood, professional organizer and founder of The Tidy Trainer Co., says there’s a way to put a method to the madness. “Most people will pack for where they are and not where they are going, Hobgood says, sharing one of the top issues she sees among her clients. “I can’t stress how important [organizing for where you are going] is.”
She spoke with Good Housekeeping about her top hacks for making moving as seamless as possible and how to best employ a packing system that works.
Create a system
Going into packing without a game plan can lead to frustration quickly. “I always say pack with a system and not randomly,” says Hobgood. “Take the bedroom for example. All things for that space should be in boxes labeled with that room.”
Use packing cubes
The cost of multiple boxes to house all of your items can add up. Hobgood says packing cubes are the answer. “Packing cubes help minimize the space being taken up in a box,” she says.
Declutter
“Downsize what you can,” Hobgood suggests. “Plastic bags, grocery bags—things people accumulate over time—you don’t need to take into your space. Moving into a new space is time for a fresh start.”
Hire movers
This may sound like a no brainer, but hiring movers can help to reduce stress on moving day. “If you are able to hire a moving company, I always recommend that,” Hobgood says. “It will make your move so much easier.” She also notes that it is a good practice to act as a project manager for your movers to ensure they are placing the correct boxes in the correct rooms. “Sometimes they may mix things up if they are moving quickly,” she notes. But, overall you get to relax.
Ask a local grocery store for boxes
Connecting with your local grocery store to coordinate on when they will be getting rid of their extra boxes can help you save money on moving prep. Hobgood says this is a hack she has used herself.
Make sure to measure
Taking proper measurements will help you to plan ahead for the items that will actually fit in your new space. Sometimes this may even mean that furniture that has served you well in your current home may not be a fit for your next home.
“Most people try to bring items from the old home to the new home,” Hobgood says. “Make sure you’re measuring so that the movers can get [any large items] through the door.”
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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