Essential advice for moving home

Be realistic about what you do and don’t need

Moving house is the perfect opportunity to think honestly about what you do and don’t need, so you’re not simply moving clutter from one house to another. Be systematic with your approach, or borrow a method from the likes of Marie Kondo, whose book ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ has gone on to become a best-seller. Send unworn clothes, books and furniture to charity, give them to friends or sell them at a car boot sale. It’s always worth vetting what you have, and being honest about what you do and don’t need, so you can be organised and clutter-free in your new home.

Devise a labelling system

When you’re packing your belongings ready for the big move, it’s worth having a good system. With a well-organised approach, you’ll know what’s in each box without having to rifle through the contents, and which room it belongs in the new house. This is important for wherever you're moving to, so you can unpack easily and systematically. 

Digitise your books and music

Do you really need to keep hold of that old copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four, or can you replace it with an eBook version for your Kindle? What about those dusty CDs? Can you replace them with a Spotify subscription, or buy them on iTunes? Unless something has sentimental value, digitise what you can before you move to free up space.

Measure your furniture

If you’re downsizing your home, it’s important to measure your current furniture to make sure it will actually fit. In fact, it’s worth doing even if you’re upsizing, as room dimensions are different in every home. Will your bed, sofa or kitchen table actually fit in your new house?  It’s better to find out sooner rather than later. 

Don’t get carried away

If you’re upsizing your house, it’s easy to get carried away with planning new pieces of furniture and decor for your new home. The same is true if you’re downsizing, as most of us see buying a new home as an opportunity to create a new space with on-trend furnishings. But try not to get carried away with trips to Ikea and internet shopping, as it will only complicate your job when you move in. Try to wait until your current belongings are unpacked before you assess what you do and don’t need for your new home.