Did you know that in 2018, 12.6% of the 32 million people who moved homes in the US were moving out to establish their first home?
Now you’re ready to make your mark on the world and become part of that statistic. It’s a big step and can be stressful.
Never fear!
We’ve got you covered on all the information you need to tackle your first big move, including a moving checklist that will be essential in your preparations.
Starting From Scratch
You might be feeling intimidated that you’re moving from a house where your only belongings fill one, maybe two rooms. The absolute first thing you need to do is evaluate the space you’ll be moving into.
If you’ve secured a smaller, one-bedroom apartment or home then your preparation list will be smaller. Perhaps you might be moving to a place where you have an extra room that can either be turned into a guest bedroom or a small home office.
Your first step is to decide exactly what you want to do with the space and the rooms you will have. These rooms will ultimately be the headings for the list of things you’ll want to take with you. It’s the best way to ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Some Important Tips
Before we dive head-first into the moving checklist, we want to give you some pertinent information.
Firstly, make sure that you keep some money aside for the moving costs unless of course, you intend to do the move by yourself. Sometimes, it’s better to take the knock and have professionals assist you so that nothing gets scratched, damaged, or broken during the process.
Secondly, you may want to have a secret savings account for any surprises that crop up. When moving into your own place, often there are small unexpected costs that can spring up that you weren’t expecting. Perhaps there may be a light fixture that needs repairing, or the washing machine may leak slightly when used. If you have some money saved for a rainy day, keep it in case this happens.
Your Moving Checklist
The day is almost upon you. You’ve packed your clothing and small items away, this is the easy part. We’ve decided to break up your moving checklist into rooms so that you don’t miss a thing.
Your Bedroom
The bedroom is likely the one room that you’ll be taking existing furniture with you.
These are the things you’ll need:
- Your bed and mattress
- Nightstands
- Bedside lamp
- Bedding and sheets
- Hangers for your closet
- Your dresser or wardrobe
These are the big-ticket items you’ll be taking with you. You’ll want to wrap your mattress in plastic for the move in order to protect it from damage during transit.
Ensure that you’ve emptied nightstands and dressers of everything in their drawers and cupboards. Not only will it make them lighter but it will ensure that nothing gets lost. With your dressers and nightstands, secure the doors so they cannot swing during moving.
Your Office
If you do have a space to create a small home office or workspace, then you’re going to need a few things to make this happen. Whether you’re taking them with you, or purchasing new ones, this is what you’ll need:
- A desk
- Your computer or laptop
- Extension cables, mouse, mousepad, and keyboard
- Your WiFi router
- Your desk chair
- Your PC station or docking station for MacBook Pro
- Frames and other personal desktop belongings
- A bookcase or filing cabinet
Your desk should be emptied and cleared out, doors and drawers secured and ready to be moved. Most of these smaller items should be wrapped in bubble wrap for maximum protection during the move.
If you have any important documents that need to go with you, then make sure that these are filed away properly and securely. It’s probably best that you move the documents by yourself so the sole responsibility lies with you.
Your Living Room
We spend a lot of time in our living rooms, as individuals or as families, or even when we’re entertaining. You’re going to want to make sure that this room is kitted out for any of these scenarios. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A TV
- A stereo system and speakers
- A TV stand
- A coffee table
- A sofa
These are the most basic items you’ll need to set up your living room. Seating is a must, so take care to prepare your sofa for the move. If you don’t have one, then you have no worries as the store you purchase one from should offer a delivery service.
The best thing to do is to wrap your sofa in plastic to protect it from dust and damage.
Your Bathroom
The bathroom may be one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack. You’ll probably find that you have tons of products that you’ve had stored but never used. Now is the best time for a clean up and uncluttering exercise.
Here are the most important things you’ll need:
- Towels and handtowels
- Sponges and facecloths
- Toiletries
- Cosmetics
- A vanity mirror
- A toilet brush and cleaning products/utensils
Take time to throw out expired or unused products, as you don’t want to be taking unnecessary items with you.
Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Here you’re going to need to be prepared to take the following with you:
- Dishes, cutlery, glasses, mugs, and crockery
- Appliances (microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee machine)
- Larger appliances if required (oven and dishwasher)
You’ll need tons of bubble wrap and very secure, sturdy boxes for the items in this room. Another great tip is to use old towels and bedding as padding in the boxes for maximum protection.
Moving Day Success
Now that you have your moving checklist, you’re probably awfully close to moving day. Remember, that this doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.
So long as you’re as prepared as you can be, you’ll be more than fine.
Try to keep things like food, toiletries, and consumables to the minimum, as these items can be restocked once you arrive in your new home.
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