Moving Home & Removals

Are you about to move home?

Whether it's through a lifestyle choice, new job or just wanting to move closer to loved ones?

Whatever the reason, moving home is one of the most stressful things we do in our lifetime.  That doesn't have to be the case.  In this blog, we are going to be sharing our top tips to help things run smoothly through the transition. 

Step 1
Whether you're purchasing a home or moving into a rental property the first step is to start with your vision for your new home.  You may be downsizing or buying a larger property and your existing home furnishings may not be suitable in terms of size, style or colour palette.  It's worth having a clear vision for your new life & home before you begin to start packing your first box. 

It's worth speaking with an interior designer ahead of your move as this could save you time in the long run and potentially save you cash, especially if you're looking to appoint a professional removal company. Why move belongings if you're going to leave them in storage at the other end? 

Step 2
Store-Sell-Sacrifice
It's time to organise your home.  Take it a room at a time.  I'd suggest starting with your Garage or Garden Sheds first. This is to enable you to clear space, so you could use it as a temporary storage area with your home packaged boxes.  

If you have alot of home treasures, it could be worth slimming down collections first.  For example; you have a range of occassional glasses. Just keep enough available for daily use.  

Filter your items into three categories
Store
Items you want to take with you and will use.  Be sure to have tape, tissue paper, bubble wrap and a note pad and pen handy. Remembering to mark each box with a number & content.  You can write the full description in your note pad. Making it super easy to unpack at the other end.  

DONT OVER PACK. The weight of each box can be deceiving, so check that your able to lift each box, midway through packing.  Using stronger boxes for the heavier items. 
NB: Specialist Removal Companies are available for high ticket items or valuable treasures.  

Be realistic: When it comes to packing your wardrobe. If you have clothing that your no longer able to get into then be honest with yourself, are you going to be dieting any time soon? 

The other idea is to pack seasonally, depending on the time of year your going to be moving in? Summer outfits separate from Winter wear.

Kitchen Appliances can take up alot of room in your cupboards, ask yourself, do you use them, will you have room in your new home to store them and are they in working order? 

If you tend to buy in bulk, consumables & cleaning products then start using them up. The same applies to store cupboard ingredients. It will save you money on your shopping bills and of course the cost of moving them. 

Now you have decided what your taking with you, to your new home, you can now decide what you want to sell or sacrifice.  

Sell
There are plenty of online market places: Shpock, Vinted, FB Market place or Ebay. If you have high ticket items, or Antiques, it maybe worth obtaining independent valuations before you sell. 

Of course there is always the option of holding your own carboot sale, or speak with your neighbourhood to hold a garage sale trail. This is when you print a map of households that are taking part. 

Sacrifice 
Your preloved items could still have value to others, whether that's through donating to a local charity shop or community group. Sacrificing your home items to others is a greener way of preventing items going to landfill. 

Step 3
Scope Removal Companies. Different companies offer different services from supplying you with removal storage solutions, repackaging service and on the day moving.  It's worth establishing a few quotes and check out their ratings. It's worth looking at their website or if possible speak with previous customers.  

NB: Check what insurance you or your removal Company has in place.  This is especially important for high value items. 

Step 4
Consider appointing an interior designer, while professional ID studios or freelancers will offer a bespoke design based on your personality and lifestyle, they will have ID styles that they excel in. For example; At Country Interior Design by MJ favours Victoriana, historic and Biophillic ID. 

Ask for examples from their portfolio and arrange a consultation before you appoint them.  You want to make sure you can build a relationship with them, to ensure they get you.  

A great interior designer will be able to create a plan based on your vision and the home your looking to move into.  This will enhance your home based on spacial design and the period of Property your moving to. 

You may choose to have every room redecorated before you move in. If you're fortunate to be in a position to do this then great.  You may choose to live with family while this is being styled, or you may choose to stay in a short stay let to. Just be realistic.  You can prioritise the main rooms first and complete the rest over the coming months. 

Step 5
Move day, it's worth having a timetable for the day, plus you may need to arrange childcare. Having young children running around can add to your stress levels and hinder the unpacking process. 

Be sure to prepare for yourself.  Taking a packed lunch and drinks will give you the energy you'll need to get through your first day at your new home.  

Prioritise what you need to unpack first, kitchen ware, bedding and toiletries.  You can work through the rest one room at a time (Remember you have already numbered your boxes and added descriptions of contents in your notepad).

Step 6
You have been in your home for a short while and the majority of the packing has been done. So it's time to celebrate and invite your family and friends around.  This is going to be an exciting new chapter in your life, so mark the occasion by holding a party. 

Step 7
Clearing those items that you still have in storage. If you find you have settled in to your home and still have plenty of unpacking still to do, then I'd revert you to the; Sell or Sacrifice steps above. 

If you have not missed it, then it's time to let it go.  

Step 8
Shopping trip time, you have areas of your home that needs new furnishings? Take a look at our earlier blogs on tips for shopping, be it at Antiques fairs and markets or for new homeware.

Good luck with your new life chapter.  What an absolute thrill to be starting again in your new home. 

#Countrylife #Interiordesign #interiordesigner 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Blog about Blogs

I started this blog back in February, and every week without fail I've shared a blog a week.  It was in the hope that other interior designers, students or home interior lovers found it of use and I thought it would be a great time coming up to the half year point to stop and reflect.  Reflect on what's working, what do you want to read more about or indeed, what I have yet to explore.  As a business owner or freelancer building a following can & does take time & effort and as Country Interior Design by MJ is coming up to our 6 month review it's poignant to pause and check in with ourselves & you the most important aspect as to why we are doing this.  We have been sharing content of inspiration on Facebook and Instagram from the start with a clear weekly schedule: Mondays  Devine or Decadence  Tuesday  History of interior design  Wednesday  Feb 26: Room of Ferial August 26: Shine a light Thursday  Colour Psychology  Frid...
Read more

Holiday inspiration for your next interior design project.

This blog is how you could use your holiday as a way of inspiring your next interior design project & on our SM pages recently we had a focus on the Great British Holiday, go take a look at Country Interior Design by MJ Facebook & Instagram accounts to learn more. Each Seaside area of the UK, gives a different feel, be it Blackpool, whereby the bright lights and the Pleasure Beach dominates or right down to the most Southernly tip of Cornwall, whereby a more subtle, relaxed vibe is encapsulated?  I've been working on an interior design project for my portfolio and I read a great book: The English Seaside by Peter Williams. It's a great source of inspiration for a Seaside Interior design style. Whether your looking for a Retro Seaside makeover from yesteryear or you want to recreate your wonderful holiday memories in your home, in a more subtle way? The landscape of a typical resort has changed immensely over the years, however some things remain and can help you with va...
Read more

Decorex line up 2026

I'm absolutely thrilled that Decorex London returns next week.  Are you going to be visiting? If so do let me know & we could arrange a meet.  Of course if you have worked in this industry for a number of years, this event will be a definite "go to", in your interior design calendar already.  For Country Interior Design by MJ, this is the first time we will be going along & I'm super excited about it.   Of course, as well as the amazing exhibitors there, my main purpose for attending is to gain knowledge from the phenomenal ID Speakers. For  insightful sessions exploring the trends, techniques and ideas defining exceptional design. I've been researching the line up of incredible speakers & topics and I thought I'd share with you a easy; go to of sessions I think will be of interest to you & that you can gain maximum learning from. So much to choose from, so I'd recommend you go look on the website once registered to reserve your seat be...
Read more