You might think that after a few moves, you've mastered the art of packing up and relocating. But here's the thing—moving is often more complicated than it seems, with unexpected challenges that can throw you off course.
Even experienced movers can be overwhelmed by the endless to-do lists, fragile items, and sheer volume of stuff that needs to be transported. That's where the right tricks, or hacks, come in handy.
For instance, you’re halfway through your move, and suddenly, you can't remember how to reconnect your TV cables, or you're frantically searching through dozens of boxes to find your toothbrush. Moments like these can turn a simple move into a stressful ordeal. But with the right strategies, you can prevent these headaches and keep your move on track.
The “tricks up your sleeve” aren’t just about cutting corners—they’re about working smarter, not harder. These hacks are designed to save you time by streamlining the packing process, money by using everyday items creatively, and stress by keeping everything organized and accessible. They transform what could be a chaotic day into a manageable, even smooth, transition.
So, even if you think you’ve got moving all figured out. Think again! Moving can be a headache, but you can turn chaos into calm with the moving hacks. So, what are those secret hacks that can save you time, money, and stress?
10 Surprising Moving Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed
Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With these simple yet effective moving hacks, you’ll find yourself breezing through the process:
1. Photograph Your Cables: One of the Best Moving Hacks of 2024 for Experienced Movers
Taking a photograph of your electronics setup before unplugging them is one of the most efficient moving hacks for experienced movers. This way, when you reconnect your devices, you’ll have a visual guide to follow, making the setup process quicker and hassle-free.
| Step | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plug in your electronics | TV, DVD player, gaming console |
| 2 | Take a clear photo of the cable connections | Smartphone camera photo |
| 3 | Store the photo in a safe location | Save it in a cloud storage or print it |
Example:
If you have a home theatre system with multiple components, photographing how each cable is connected will save you from trying to remember which cable goes where making reassembly much smoother.
Related: 8 Benefits of Hiring a Professional Moving Service
2. Pack an Overnight Bag: A Must-Know Moving Hack to Reduce Stress
Description: Packing an overnight bag ensures you have immediate access to essential items, reducing stress on your first night in a new home. This moving hack keeps your necessities handy and avoids the scramble to find them among the packed boxes.
| Item | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Toiletries | Personal hygiene | Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo |
| Snacks | Quick meals and energy boosts | Granola bars, nuts, fruit |
| Essential Documents | Important papers and IDs | Passport, driver's license, lease |
| Basic Cleaning Supplies | Immediate cleaning needs | All-purpose cleaner, paper towels |
Example:
On a moving day, you can quickly access your toothbrush, a clean change of clothes, and snacks without digging through boxes, ensuring a smoother transition.
3. Use Towels to Protect Fragile Items: Budget-Friendly Moving Hack for Families
Wrap fragile items like dishes and glassware in towels and linens. This budget-friendly moving hack saves space and provides cushioning, preventing breakage during the move.
| Item | Protection Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dishes | Wrap each dish in a towel | Stack dishes with towels in between |
| Glassware | Use towels to cushion and wrap | Wrap wine glasses individually |
| Small Items | Place in towels or old T-shirts | Pack kitchen utensils in towels |
Example:
Instead of buying bubble wrap, wrap dishes and glassware with kitchen towels, effectively saving space and reducing packing costs.
4. Color-Code Your Boxes: A Moving Hack for Organizing Your Move Efficiently
Assign colors to each room and mark your boxes accordingly. This moving hack makes the unloading process much more organized and efficient, helping you quickly place boxes in the correct rooms.
| Color | Room | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Kitchen | Label boxes with red for kitchen items |
| Blue | Bedroom | Label boxes with blue for bedroom items |
| Green | Living Room | Label boxes with green for living room items |
| Yellow | Bathroom | Label boxes with yellow for bathroom items |
Example:
If you use red labels for kitchen items and blue for bedroom items, movers can quickly place boxes in their respective rooms, reducing confusion and saving time.
5. Wrap Drawers with Plastic Wrap: The Ultimate Moving Hack for Houses
Instead of emptying your drawers, secure the contents with plastic wrap. This moving hack keeps everything in place and saves time during packing, which is especially useful for moving houses.
| Step | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Close the drawer | Ensure it’s fully closed |
| 2 | Wrap with plastic wrap | Cover the entire drawer securely |
| 3 | Label the wrapped drawer | Label with the room and contents |
Example:
For a dresser with clothes, wrapping the entire drawer with plastic wrap allows you to move the dresser without having to sort through the clothes individually.
6. Label Cables and Chargers: Stress-Free Moving Hacks for Organizing Your Move
Label each cable and charger with the device to which it belongs. This moving hack helps avoid the frustration of untangling cords and ensures a stress-free setup in your new home.
| Item | Labeling Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cables | Use sticky labels or tape | Label with "TV", "DVD Player" |
| Chargers | Write the device name on the tape | Label with "Phone Charger", "Tablet Charger" |
| Power Strips | Attach a label with the connected devices | Label with "Office Power Strip" |
Example:
By labelling your chargers and cables, such as "Laptop Charger" or "TV Cable," you can quickly connect your devices without the hassle of searching for the right cable.
7. Use Garbage Bags for Hanging Clothes: Best Moving Hack of 2024 for Experienced Movers
Slide your clothes, hangers and all, into garbage bags to keep them clean and organized during the move. This moving hack is perfect for transporting your wardrobe without having to remove everything from the hangers.
| Step | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gather clothes on hangers | Dresses, shirts, trousers |
| 2 | Slip clothes and hangers into garbage bags | Use large, sturdy garbage bags |
| 3 | Tie the bag securely | Ensure the bag is tightly closed |
Example:
For a wardrobe full of clothes, placing the entire set of hangers in garbage bags allows you to transport your clothes efficiently and unpack them directly into your new closet.
Also Read: Hire Movers for a Short-Term Move: Tips for 2 Hours
8. Pack Plates Vertically: A Game-Changing Moving Hack to Prevent Damage
Pack plates vertically in boxes like records to minimize the risk of them breaking. This moving hack effectively keeps your dishes intact and prevents damage during the move.
| Step | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrap each plate in packing paper | Use paper to cover each plate |
| 2 | Pack plates vertically in the box | Place plates on their sides |
| 3 | Add cushioning between plates | Use packing peanuts or bubble wrap |
Example:
Instead of stacking plates horizontally, which can lead to breakage, packing them vertically with cushioning helps protect them from impact and ensures they arrive safely.
9. Keep Hardware in Ziploc Bags: Budget-Friendly Moving Hack for Families
Store screws, bolts, and small hardware in labelled Ziploc bags and tape them to the corresponding furniture pieces. This budget-friendly moving hack helps keep all small parts organized and easily accessible during reassembly.
| Item | Storage Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Screws and Bolts | Store in labelled Ziploc bags | Label bags with "Table Legs" |
| Small Hardware | Tape bags to furniture pieces | Tape to the bottom of the chair |
Example:
When disassembling a bed frame, keep all screws and bolts in labelled Ziploc bags taped to the bed's frame to ensure you don't lose any parts and can reassemble it easily.
10. Pack a “First Day” Box: The Ultimate Moving Hack to Reduce Stress
Pack a box with items you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. This moving hack ensures you have essential items readily available, making your first day less stressful and more organized.
| Item | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Maker | Morning Coffee | Include coffee and filters |
| Snacks | Quick meals and energy boosts | Granola bars, chips, fruit |
| Toilet Paper and Paper Towels | Immediate cleaning and hygiene | Keep it in the box for quick access |
| Basic Cleaning | Supplies Tidy up the new place | Multi-surface cleaner, sponges |
Example:
Having a "First Day" box with essentials like a coffee maker and cleaning supplies allows you to settle in comfortably and tackle any immediate needs without digging through other packed boxes.
