Moving Tips

If you’re moving to Tampa, a local moving company can do a lot to make sure it’s a smooth transition. Yet, it’s up to you to make your house a home. 

It’s a well-known fact that moving is a stressful event. However, research from Berkeley University suggests things get even worse after you’ve arrived.

Unpacking and re-organizing everything again takes time and causes upheaval in your daily routine. Here are our top tips for getting settled quickly and putting an end to the anxiety. 

Small Touches Make Your House a Home

One of the things most responsible for that empty feeling, when you move into a new place, is the lack of decor. 

Putting up curtains and drapes is the first step. Not only will they bring a cozier feel to your environment, but they’re also an important security measure. 

Art should be the next thing out of the bubble wrap. Putting your artwork in place adds a touch of the familiar to your surroundings and will help you feel more at home. 

In fact, studies have revealed that looking at art has the same effect as gazing upon your object of affection which can only be a good thing. 

Take Some Tips from the Pros

Spas exist to help people de-stress. Take some tips from them to create a sense of home in your new environment. 

Candles, natural light, soft music, and flowers are just what the doctor ordered to soothe your frazzled nerves. You can start with one space and use that as your escape room when the stress of unpacking becomes a little too much to bear. 

Unpacking Priorities

Children can become very unsettled during a move. Help them to feel at home by setting their rooms in order first. 

You can let them help design the layout of their rooms and unpack all their favorite things. It will provide them a sense of ownership as well as help reduce the load on you. 

Another essential place to start unpacking is your closets. Searching through boxes and suitcases for something to wear every day is tedious and frustrating. Getting your closets in order will help to relieve some of your daily troubles. 

Read our blog for more tips on packing and unpacking like a pro. 

Keep Routines in Place

Try to keep your familiar daily routines in place as much as possible. Get the most commonly used kitchen items in place quickly to ensure predictable mealtimes. 

If you had a particular spot in your old home where children dropped their school bags, and parents kept their keys, set up a similar place in your new house.

Continue with your regular cleaning routine despite the disarray and insist that children keep up with their chores. Try to keep things as predictable as they were before. 

Getting the Best Start

Reputable local moving companies in Tampa won’t just drop your stuff and run. They’ll put each box in the correct room as well as help you place heavy furniture correctly.These extra little courtesies go a long way towards helping you make your house a home. Get in touch to ensure your time in Tampa gets off to a great start.

It’s a ton of work to pack up everything you own only to move it to a new place and unpack it. That’s why moving is a challenge. 

But what about when you unpack, and you don’t have enough room in your new space? You might feel overwhelmed and wonder why you even moved in the first place.

Downsizing before you move will prevent stress and give you a fresh start in your new home. Plus, you’ll save on moving costs.

Read on to learn how to downsize before your next move. 

How to Downsize: Start with Storage Areas

Garages, basements, and closets in spare bedrooms usually hold things we don’t use very often. Usually, it’s easier to part with items you don’t use very much. Plus, it will take the most time to downsize storage areas, so start here.

You’ll probably find a lot of things you didn’t remember you had. Some items might be great finds, while others will be easy to discard.

For example, that brand new toaster from your wedding registry is a great find. But, those old snow boots that are missing a sole? Toss those out.

Once you’ve conquered the forgotten clutter, the rest will be easier. Next, you can tackle your everyday stuff like your closet or the kitchen utensil drawer.

Make a Plan for Your Unwanted Belongings 

Once you’ve decided what to get rid of, you have to decide what to do with it. Without a plan to deal with your unwanted things, you’ll end up with the same clutter.

Most of your unwanted items can be donated, sold, or recycled. 

Donate

If your items are in good shape, consider donating them to a good cause. Most animal shelters need blankets and linens. You can also donate books to local libraries, clothes to Goodwill, and much more.

Sell

If you have some time before your move, consider having a garage sale. You can also use sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to sell furniture, kitchen items, or clothing. You could even place a classified ad in your local newspaper.

Recycle

Items like old laptops, used mattresses, and batteries can all be safely recycled for another use. Don’t throw anything in the garbage without doing a little research first! Most items can be recycled.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Downsizing can be stressful, frustrating, and emotionally draining. Understand that it might be tough to let go of your stuff. It’s normal to feel confused and unsure when you’re decluttering. 

As soon as you start thinking about a move, start sorting through your belongings. If you feel rushed, you might end up shoving unwanted things in a box.

Clutter actually stresses us out, makes us feel guilty, and makes it harder to relax. Take the time to declutter. You’ll be doing yourself a favor.  

Need Help Moving? Let Us Do It

Once you know how to downsize, you can look forward to a clutter-free lifestyle in your new home.

The professionals at Community Moving & Storage will take the stress out of your next move.

If you need help with your Florida move or beyond, contact us today for a free quote. 

Packing is one of the biggest and most overwhelming tasks on your moving to-do list. You want to pack everything right, but in the easiest way possible.

That’s when having the right packing supplies makes all the difference. When you have the tools you need, you can speed through the packing process knowing your stuff is safe and secure.

To help get you started, let’s look at five packing supply essentials you’ll need to get the job done.

1. Sturdy Boxes of All Sizes

Using boxes to move may seem like a no-brainer, but there’s more to it than that. When packing, it’s essential to have the right box to keep your valuables safe.

Pack heavier objects in small boxes to keep the load from weighing too much. Large boxes are great for light items such as clothing and bedding. Plus, boxes with dividers will keep breakables from crashing into each other.

Always make sure your boxes are clean and dry. You don’t want anything to compromise the cardboard construction and have your things fall out the bottom.

2. Packing Tape and Scissors

Not all tape is created equal. You want something that is strong and will hold up to the abuse moving will put it through.

Don’t use packing tape you can easily tear with your bare hands. Buy tape with nylon fibers embedded in it. Using scissors will be the only way to cut it.

Reinforce the bottom of your boxes with strong tape. Plus, to make packing easy on everyone, give each member of the family their own roll and scissors.

3. Wrapping Material

Fragile items need extra protection when moving. That’s why having various wrapping material on hand will ensure your things make it to your new place in one piece.

Bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts are great for adding a soft cushion between items. Wrapping dishes and glassware in newspaper or packing paper will keep them from getting scratched and damaged.

You can even use things you already have as wrapping material. Towels and blankets make excellent protection as box lining or to help cushion breakables.

4. Permanent Markers

You’ll make unpacking so much easier on yourself by labeling each moving box with what’s inside. To do this, you’ll need permanent markets.

With a marker, write what room the box belongs in and a general description of the box contents. This will keep things organized by location instead of having everything piled up together.

Colored markers are great if you like color-coding your boxes instead. This way, no one needs to know what’s inside, and a simple colored dot indicates the room it belongs in.

5. Blankets or Furniture Pads

Once you finish packing, it’s time to load the moving truck. That means items will get stacked on up of each other, increasing the risk of scratches and dings to furniture.

Use furniture pads or blankets to cover exposed furniture surfaces. A densely woven fabric works best. Not only will it protect against scratches, but you can also save your upholstery from getting dirty.

If you need to secure the furniture pads around an item, use packing tape, rope, or rubber bands.

Make Moving Day a Breeze with the Right Packing Supplies

Take the stress out of moving! By using the right packing supplies, you can stop worrying about your things and start enjoying your new place.

Need help with your move? Contact us today for a free quote!