Home and Garden Tips

To some packing is simply a means to an end, but to others packing is an art form in which they take great pride and take very seriously. By striking a balance between these two opposing viewpoints homeowners can greatly reduce the stress associated with moving house. With thorough prior planning and an attention to detail the homeowner can ensure that the move goes as smoothly as possible. In order to achieve this it is essential that the homeowner considers in advance what will be needed and how items should be packed.
Preparation
Packing and moving home does not need to take place within a single day. The move will be a lot less stressed if the majority of possessions are packed away well in advance. One of the best ways to prepare to pack possessions is to sort through belongings and discard anything that is no longer wanted. This will mean that when packing begins there will be less to pack and therefore less to move. Moreover, ensuring that there is enough packaging in the house including sturdy, cardboard boxes, newspaper and bubble wrap will allow packing to commence without problem.
Packing
Items that will not be used in the weeks leading up to the move should be packed away as soon as possible. As the day of the move approaches more and more possessions should be packed away so that when it comes to the night before only essentials will remain unpacked. This will significantly reduce the stress of packing and moving home. It is important to remember that heavy items should be packed in small boxes and that large boxes should not be overloaded. It is beneficial to keep all related boxes together and remember that boxes loaded onto the removal lorry first will be unloaded last. Large items such as sofas, oak doors and fridge-freezers should be loaded at an early stage as other items can be packed around them.
Unpacking
When packing, it is of great benefit to have unpacking in mind. Items should be clearly marked within their boxes to aid unpacking and all boxes for a particular room should be kept together. Essentials required immediately after the move should be kept separate for ease of access upon reaching the new home. Such essentials may include food, basic kitchen equipment, toiletries for the family and other useful items that may be required. Bulky items such as oak internal doors and large beds should be packed first to ensure ease of access to other possessions.
It is important that the homeowner takes the time prior to a move to ensure that all packaging materials are available when they are required. Items that can be packed well in advance should be packed. This will reduce stress levels closer to the move. Items should be packed well and in a logical order with similar items placed close together. Finally, items should be packed with the convenience of unpacking closely in mind.