Moving Hacks: 15 Genius Tips to Make Your Move Stress-Free
* This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through links from Amazon and other retailers at no additional cost to you.
Moving can feel like a marathon and a sprint all rolled into one chaotic mess. Trust me, I’ve been there—boxes everywhere, tape sticking to everything except the box, and the where-did-I-put-my-coffee moment. But with a little planning (and a lot of coffee), moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare. These 15 moving hacks will save your sanity, your time, and maybe even your back. Let’s dive in!
1. Start Packing Early (Like, Yesterday)
Procrastination is not your friend here. Begin packing the moment you know you’re moving, even if it’s just the non-essentials. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not frantically shoving random things into boxes at midnight.
2. Declutter Like a Pro
Moving is the perfect excuse to Marie Kondo your life. Go through each room and get rid of anything you don’t love, need, or use. Less stuff = fewer boxes = less stress. Donate, sell, or trash it.
3. Label Boxes Like a Boss
Don’t just label boxes with “kitchen” or “bathroom.” Be specific! Write “Kitchen: Pots, Pans, & Tupperware” or “Bathroom: Towels & Toiletries.” Bonus hack: Use color-coded tape for each room. Your future self will appreciate the extra effort.
4. Pack a First-Day Box
Fill a box with essentials for the first 24 hours in your new home—things like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, phone chargers, and, most importantly, coffee supplies. It’s the ultimate survival kit.
5. Use What You Already Have
Why waste money on bubble wrap when you’ve got towels, blankets, and socks? Wrap fragile items in soft things you already own. Two birds, one stone.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Before Unplugging
Ever tried reconnecting a TV or gaming system without remembering which cord goes where? Snap a quick photo before you unplug everything, and you’ll save yourself a major headache later.
7. Keep Clothes on Their Hangers
Don’t waste time taking clothes off hangers just to put them back on later. Wrap a garbage bag around groups of hanging clothes (still on the hangers!) and tie it at the top. Voilà—instant garment bags.
8. Use Small Boxes for Heavy Items
Books, I’m looking at you. Avoid breaking your back by packing heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in bigger boxes. Your muscles will thank you.
9. Pack Plates Vertically
Instead of stacking plates flat in a box, pack them vertically like records. They’re less likely to break this way, and you’ll feel like a moving wizard.
10. Label Furniture Parts
Disassembling furniture? Put all the screws, bolts, and small parts in a labeled Ziploc bag and tape it to the furniture piece. No more lost screws = no more meltdowns.
11. Use Plastic Wrap on Drawers
Don’t empty out your dresser drawers—just cover them with plastic wrap to keep everything in place. Bonus: This saves time and prevents chaos.
12. Pack a Cooler with Snacks
Moving is hard work, and you’ll need fuel to keep going. Pack a small cooler with water bottles, sandwiches, and snacks. Hungry movers are cranky movers.
13. Clean As You Go
If you can, clean your old place as you pack each room. This saves time later when you’re ready to hand over the keys. And who doesn’t love checking clean the bathroom off the list early?
14. Enlist Help (And Reward Generously)
Friends and family are great moving helpers—just be sure to bribe them with pizza, snacks, or even a small thank-you gift. Happy helpers make for a smoother move.
15. Unpack Smart
When you get to your new place, start with the most important rooms first—like the kitchen and bedroom. You’ll need food and a comfy bed after a long day. Save the less-used areas (hello, guest bathroom) for later.
Final Thoughts
Moving is never going to be 100% stress-free, but these hacks can make it way easier. With a little planning, some creative shortcuts, and maybe a few laughs along the way, you can tackle moving like a pro.
Got any genius moving tips I missed? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear your hacks!
