Moving Tips

Moving boxes and packing can be considered an art form. Properly moving and packing items ensure that your precious belongings arrive safely at their destination. 

Moving art requires thought, planning, and some much-needed packing and moving tips. 

No matter if the art is appraised at $5,000 or is a family heirloom, you need to pack it correctly to ensure its safe arrival. 

Packing and moving are always challenging. But, extra care is needed when moving precious belongings. A reputable moving company can help you with this process, but you’ll also need to identify your most valuable items before hiring movers. 

This includes any hanging art, sculptures, or even your child’s first painting. Art is hard to replace and sometimes can’t be replaced at all. Art isn’t just for decoration either; sometimes it’s passed down for generations and provides us with a sense of identity.

Here are some tips for packing your art. 

1. Painter’s Tape

Use painter’s tape to place a large “X” on the glass of any artwork. The tape will help protect the glass, but if the glass does happen to break, the tape will hold the pieces together to prevent injury.

2. Cardboard Corners

For frames and expensive pieces of art, invest in cardboard corners. Place the cardboard corners on each edge of the artwork. This will prevent the frame or canvas from getting damaged during the move.

3. Plastic Wrap

For paintings and sculptures, invest in some plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will cover the artwork’s finish and protect it during the move if friction occurs. Wrap a generous amount of plastic wrap around the artwork before moving on to the next step.

4. Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is every mover’s best friend.

After wrapping the artwork in plastic wrap, cover it with bubble wrap. Bubble wrap will provide extra padding and protection. It will also cushion your artwork in case it gets dropped or moved around during the move.

5. Padding

Wrap individual small pictures and frames with packing paper. Place a layer of crumpled paper in between each item. Test the box for potential shifting before you seal it. If anything feels like it’s moving around, add crumpled packing paper to pad the artwork so that it doesn’t shift.

6. Labels

Lastly, label the box with its contents and the word “fragile.” This lets the movers and your family know what’s in the box and how to handle it properly. 

Moving Art and Hiring a Moving Company

Moving art can cause anxiety, but there are professional moving companies that can help. These moving companies need to be bonded and insured and have a track record of satisfied customers. 

Need help moving art in Tampa, Florida? Contact us today to get the help you need for your next move.

Approximately 1.5 % of Americans move to a different state every year. Unlike moving from one town to another, the process requires exceptional planning and preparation.

Do you have plans to move to another state soon?

Whether you’re moving a short distance, or to a new state, moving is generally a stressful process. But, there are things you can do in advance to make sure your move is as smooth as possible.

Key Tips for Moving Out of State

Excellent organization is essential when you’re preparing for a move to another state. Here are five tips to help your move go smoothly.

1. Find a Great Moving Company

Hiring the right movers for a long-distance move is not the same as having friends and family move your things down the block.

Be certain your moving company knows every detail of your move and has experience moving households across state lines. Research your moving company and make sure that they are trusted, insured, and have plenty of positive reviews. 

2. Purge the Unnecessary

Moving is the perfect time to eliminate the clutter that has been piling up. Go through each area of your home and clear out items you no longer use. Sell or donate things you don’t need.

Minimizing the clutter before you move means you’ll spend less time packing and unpacking. Plus, you will save on moving expenses.

3. Make a Plan

Planning is essential when moving out of state. Keep your move on schedule as much as possible. Staying on schedule will help eliminate last-minute problems and headaches.

Determine when you’ll arrive at your new home and when your professional movers will arrive. Not all moving companies will arrive on the same day that you do.

Pack an essentials box so that you aren’t without necessary items in case the movers arrive well after you do.

4. Set a Budget

Relocating can be expensive, especially when you’re moving a long distance. Establish a moving budget early on and try to stick to it. 

In addition to moving company fees, out of state moving expenses might include travel, hotel, and meal costs. If you plan to leave furniture behind and purchase items for the new home, include those expenses in the budget as well.

5. Obtain New Driver’s License and Other Documents

Once you’ve arrived in your new state, set up your life in your new area. Have your mail forwarded, get a new driver’s license as well as car registration, and find new doctors in your area.

Want to Learn More?

Using a trusted, well-established moving company is essential when you’re moving to a new state. Community Moving and Storage can help you make your move.

Contact us for a free quote!

Moving to a new place can be stressful and exciting, and you know there are tons of things you’ll need to pack.

When it comes to making your move smoother, don’t forget about the unpacking process, too.

Before you make your next move, check out these five unpacking tips that will help ensure this significant change is easy so you can enjoy your new place.

1. Organize by Room

When you pack your stuff, you probably already have each box labeled by room. The same rule applies when you unpack, too.

Start by placing each labeled box in the room that it’s assigned. This will make unboxing and organizing a whole lot easier.

Put kitchen boxes in the kitchen, bedroom boxes in your sleeping space, and so on. Once you’re done arranging the boxes, it’ll be much easier to put everything in its proper place.

2. Unpacking Tips: Start with the Basics

It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll be unpacking every single item on the first day or even the first two days of your move. To make life easier, just unpack the items you plan to use immediately.

For the kitchen, take out enough dinnerware, cups, and silverware for everyone in the household. You can worry about organizing your small appliances and kitchen towels later.

The same applies to the bathroom. Take out toothbrushes and essential toiletries first. Having just what you need will allow you to function while you focus on arranging your new home just the way you like it.

3. Keep Trash at Bay

Between the bubble wrap and other packing materials, you’re sure to have plenty of trash. Designate one space for all your moving-related trash, so you don’t have to go back through and clean it all up later.

Choose a large, empty moving box and make that your “temporary trash can.” Now is also an excellent time to ask family and friends if they need any boxes.

4. Now’s Your Chance to Reorganize

Of all the unpacking tips, this one is probably one of the most important. Once you begin the meticulous process of unpacking, it’s time to rethink about how you organize your stuff.

If you have a lot of older items that you want to keep but don’t want to display, keep them together in a new box and label them accordingly. When you move, it offers the perfect opportunity to rethink some of the things you own and how you plan to store or organize them.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Moving is already a stressful life event, so don’t let small items stress you out. Save your favorite knick-knacks and pictures for last when you unpack.

You’ll undoubtedly want to decorate your home, but remember to take your time so you can spruce it up precisely the way you want it. In the meantime, don’t forget to enjoy some downtime and really appreciate your new space.

Unpacking is Easy

With these helpful unpacking tips, you can enjoy your move and stress less. With a little bit of planning and some organization, the process of moving and unpacking can be a pleasant one.

For more information about moving companies, storage, and more, be sure to visit our website.