Moving may be a tiresome process, regardless of whether you’re moving into a new apartment, are a first-time home buyer or moving into your fifth home. The anticipation of your new life might rapidly turn into tension and annoyance as your to-do list keeps getting longer. Making a box of essential moving items is one of the best things you can do to get ready for your move and make the transition easier.
These essentials boxes, also known as open-first boxes, should be filled with all the basics you’ll require as soon as you step foot inside your brand-new house. It is the first item to be opened and is one of the big secrets to a quicker, more effective and less stressful move.
If you have these essentials for living in your home for the first few days in one easy to access place, you can breathe, rest and tackle all of those other boxes at a more reasonable pace.
Now, if it seems overwhelming to try to condense all of your belongings into a few boxes, don’t worry—it can be done! Just Organized by Taya works with those who are moving often, so we have certainly perfected this over time.
This moving checklist will assist you in determining what should be moved over in your first carload and what can be packed for the moving truck. And if you do find that you need help, we offer a packing and unpacking service that includes helping you declutter your old home and pack it up on one end, and then unpack and organize your new home on the other.
However, in the meantime, here’s that list…
Small Basic Toolkit
You’d be surprised just how much you can get done in the first day or so in your new home with a screwdriver (preferably one with multiple bits), hammer, knife, wrench, tape measure, work gloves, drill, duct tape, and scissors. You can pack these things yourself, or invest in one of these mini travel toolkits to make things even easier.
Basic First Aid Kit
Speaking of kits, moving involves all kinds of physical work and some minor injuries are almost inevitable. Having a basic first aid kit on hand can help a great deal, and, although we hate to be pessimistic, knowing where the closest urgent care center is might be a good idea too.
Your Essential Chargers
In an ideal world all of your essential gadgets – phone, smartwatch, laptop, smart assistant – would work using the same charger. But they don’t, and it can be a real bummer if you get to your new place to find you have no idea where your laptop charger is, and you need to work tomorrow. Even worse? Not having a phone charger at 11pm when all the stores have closed.
To avoid disasters like these, keep all your essential chargers in one place – labeled if possible – and ensure they are right at the top of your open first box.
Change of Clothes
This includes nightclothes and underwear, but you’ll also want to make sure you have something to change into if you get sweaty or dirty throughout the day. A clean set of clothes can do wonders for your mood.
Personal Care Essentials
Moving sure can work up a sweat! Pack soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, bath towels, and washcloths for cleaning up after a hard day’s work moving. Don’t forget about any medications you might take daily and other personal care items such as cosmetics, hair products, hairbrushes, glasses, and contact lenses.
Kid Supplies
Moving into a strange, new house can be a lot for kids. Ease their transition by ensuring their beloved items travel along with them, including favorite books, stuffies,and blankies. Important baby items, such as changing station supplies (diapers, creams, wipes, etc) should obviously also be included.
Lots of Paper Supplies
Paper towels, tissues, and at least one toilet paper roll for every bathroom!
Cleaning Supplies
You never know what you’ll walk into when you unlock your front door. Be sure to pack cleaning supplies to tackle messes, including rags, antibacterial wipes, sponges, glass and multi-surface cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, trash bags, a bucket, broom, mop, dish soap, and baking soda for the fridge.
Pet Essentials
Make sure Fido and/ or Fluffy have adequate food and treats for the first few days in their new home, chew toys, bedding, leashes, and collars, grooming items, clean-up bags, and an appropriate pet carrier.
Bedroom Basics
The chances are good that at the end of moving day you won’t have the time or energy to set up your bed. So an air mattress, folding bed or portable bed will help ensure a much-needed restful night’s sleep. Don’t forget sheets, pillows, blankets, or sleeping bags.
Select Small Appliances
You’d be surprised how many simple meals can be made with just a coffee maker, kettle, toaster oven and blender. Utensils like a spatula, wooden spoon, and a can/bottle opener can also come in handy.
Plates, Utensils and Cups
You want to make sure you have something to eat off of so that the whole family isn’t hovered over the sink to avoid getting crumbs everywhere. Consider using environmentally friendly or compostable paper plates and cutlery that will pack and unpack easily but won’t do as much environmental harm as the standard stuff.
Easy-to-make Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
You have probably already spent lots of money on your move, and yes, Uber Eats is always an option, but you’ll save money if you pack some simple meals in your open first box instead.
Pack food that requires little-to-no preparation like cereal and milk, instant oatmeal, bread and peanut butter, canned soup, fruit, nuts, granola bars, pasta and sauce, or canned/pouched tuna, salmon, and chicken.
Gatorade, bottled water, juice, and sparkling beverages can quench a raging thirst, while a glass of wine at the end of a moving long day can feel like a major reward.
Valuable Possessions
Don’t take any chances with fancy artwork, high-priced jewelry, treasured family heirlooms, irreplaceable collectibles, and expensive electronics—it should all travel with you.
As mentioned earlier, don’t let the stress of unpacking and organizing your new home overwhelm you! Take the first step towards a hassle-free, organized living space by reaching out to us today. We’re here to help you transition smoothly into your new home, transforming piles of boxes into beautifully arranged rooms that cater to your unique needs and lifestyle. Say goodbye to chaos and hello to a perfectly organized new home, tailored just for you.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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