Shifting house is up there with the most stressful things we experience. For most people, a sounds home base is really important – it gives us a haven to retreat to when the world gets a bit much.
Downsizing
If you’re downsizing, you’ll need to do a cull of furniture and possessions before you go. It’s always hard to do, but if in doubt, throw it out. Plans the rooms carefully before you start packing and measure the spaces, so you know what will fit. Momentos like photographs are important to keep, but if you have excess art work, you may like to pack some for the long terms and store them, so you can rotate them every so often.
For familiarity, try and replicate some of the spaces in your old home. It is exciting to buy some new pieces, but retain some continuity.
To divest yourself of large pieces of furniture, or significant art, you will need to plan ahead. Rarely do the stars align to the extent that you can have things collected or sold on the exact day you are moving, so begin the process early. If you are interested in donating items, there is often a protocol involved – never assume that you can just drop things off. In the month before you move, work out what needs to go and how you can achieve that, to keep your stress level low.
Make unpacking your priority
Even though moving day is exhausting, unpack fully as soon as you can. Recycle the boxes as soon as possible – nothing makes you feel more displaced than living in a tangle of cardboard and bubble wrap. Remember to shake out and double check every piece of packing paper and each box – you don’t want to inadvertently throw out your treasures.
Add your personal touches
Pictures, plants and candles add instant atmosphere, as you unpack each room, put your personal touches on straight away. Having finishing touches added makes your new place look more lived in immediately.
If you’ve bought new furniture or linen, add it in with your old favourites and create a new style of your own.
Accept help
While roping your friends in to give you a hand is considered social suicide, if someone offers to help, accept it. Have children cared for so you can work uninterrupted, gratefully allow friends to provide food and drinks on moving day. If you know someone who has a real flair for home styling, listen to their suggestions. If you can have pets looked after while you move, so much the better.
Don’t be afraid to seek out professional help to – get a cleaner to do your ‘move out’ clean for you – it’s hard to revisit an empty house, and is often exhausting or upsetting.
Allow a full week to pack, move, unpack and settle in. During this time, don’t overcommit yourself with other things – just focus on getting on getting the job done and finished.