The kitchen is one of the hardest areas in the house to pack when moving. It’s full of items that are shaped oddly and easy to break, making each item a challenge in and of itself. If you’re looking to pack up your kitchen, you should consider the tips below.
1. Unclutter Your Pantry
Your pantry has likely become the storage space for quite a bit of food over time, but not all of it needs to go with you. Pantry items tend to be heavy and expensive to move, so you’ll want to do a basic cost-benefit analysis before you pack anything away. If you think you can live without the items, free up some space by donating the food, throwing it out, or even using it before you leave. Unclutter your pantry as much as possible so that you only bring the essentials with you.
2. Sort What You Can
Cheap Movers Seattle, provider of moving services in Seattle, WA, says dividing your kitchen into categories may be one of the best ways to pack. This not only helps you to determine better what you need and what you don’t, but it will allow you to pack boxes in specific ways according to what’s in each category. Silverware, for example, can usually be packed in a smaller box with just some light organization, while your dinnerware might require individually wrapping each piece and using careful layering to prevent breakages. If you can dedicate each box to a single type of item, you’ll have a better chance of both making sure those items survive the trip and of knowing where your items are when you arrive at your new home.
3. Reinforce Boxes
Get ready to go through a fair bit of tape as you pack up your kitchen. Because kitchen items tend to be fairly heavy, you’ll want to reinforce your heaviest boxes with extra tape. Do your best not to overload boxes, of course, but always be prepared. It’s better to go through too much tape than to lose fragile items when the bottom of a box finally gives out.
4. Better Safe than Sorry
Always exercise as much care as possible when packing up your kitchen. It’s better to be too safe, wrapping items too much and using too much extra material, than it is to be even a bit reckless. Try to take your most important items along with you in the car instead of putting it all on the truck. If you’ve got items that are particularly special to you, take the time to look for custom packing boxes and material that will provide extra protection. Remember, kitchen items are often quite fragile, so taking a bit of extra time to secure them can make the difference between a clean move and a big mess.
Always pay careful attention to your kitchen when moving. Take the extra time, sort things out well, and don’t be afraid to be too careful with what you bring. If you’re able to pack this area of your home successfully, the rest will be easy in comparison.
While hiring professional movers makes a move in New York City far easier, the small apartment sizes and bustling sidewalks still make relocating a challenge. These tips will help you make the move as stress-free as possible.
1. Get Organized
As soon as you know you will be moving, start to get organized. Being prepared is the best way to ensure an event free transition between apartment spaces. Make a checklist of things you need to do and a timeline of when you should have it done. There are a variety of free apps and checklists online to help you if you are completely lost.
2. Take Measurements
Fitting so many people into NYC means that buildings have been renovated and remodeled numerous times. This often leads to strange angles and extra narrow doorways. Never assume that all your furniture will fit. Take measurements in your new building well ahead of time. This will allow you to determine which items you can keep and if you should have the moving company disassemble items.
3. Pare Down Your Possessions
You never realize how much unneeded junk you have until it is time to move. Several weeks ahead of your move, go through all your belongings, and weed out things you never use. A good rule of thumb is to ditch anything that you have not used in over six months. Make extra money by selling things, or donate them to a worthy charity shop.
4. Take Time Off Work
In New York City you only have a day or so to move between leases. While you may think that you can fit this into a weekend, give yourself a break and take some time off work to eliminate stress. You will need time beforehand to do last minute packing, and your new apartment also needs to be cleaned and unpacked. You will be grateful for the extra days to complete the thousands of chores that crop up during a move.
5. Collect Packing Supplies
You should begin hoarding packing supplies as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute to pack everything, you will quickly find yourself overwhelmed. Even if you are paying to have your things packed, there are items you can pack well ahead of time to speed up the process. Offseason clothing, decorative items, and books can all be boxed up weeks in advance.
6. Reserve the Elevator
If you are lucky enough to score a residence with a service elevator, be aware that most apartments require you to reserve the elevator before your move. Check with your new landlord to determine if this is necessary.
7. Turn On Your Utilities
Get in touch with utilities and your internet service provider to set up these important services for your moving day. There is nothing worse than being without water or electricity on your first night in a new space, and you will be grateful to have WiFi ready to go.
Planning and preparation are the key ingredients to an easier move. Don’t forget to tip your hardworking movers before they depart.
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