On average, Americans move about 11.7 times in their lifetime. Moving to a new house can be a very stressful activity, and since you might have to move several times, you need to make the process more manageable. You can achieve this by getting a little bit organized. If you have disorganized items while moving, you risk losing, breaking some, and leaving others in your older house. Here are some organizational tips that will help make your move a total breeze.

Plan Ahead

The best way to stay organized as you move is by preparing early enough to avoid the last-minute rush. Call the movers early and set a date. If you need help from your family and friends, notify them of the moving date in advance. Next, figure out the supplies you will need while moving. Get enough boxes, garbage bags, label markers, and other moving supplies.

If you have toddlers, you need to plan for childcare on the moving date. For school-going kids, tell them about moving earlier to prepare them emotionally and let them know how they can help. On a moving day, catering to your children’s needs will make the process a bit easier. So, plan for breaks and meals to avoid chaos and distractions.

Create a To-Do List

The moving process involves lots of activities. You, therefore, need to create a to-do list to keep you on track. Once you have your moving date set, the first thing you do is create a moving timeline and a calendar of events. Outline what you should do in the months before the moving day. Break large tasks into smaller ones, so you don’t get overwhelmed by the relocation process. Prioritize tasks in terms of their importance and set a time frame for each activity.

Remember to note down critical information of all the people involved, from the realtor, packers, movers, and inspectors. Write down realtor meeting dates, when you need to make donations, and include packing deadlines on your plan. A well-defined schedule will prevent you from overlooking any details. It will give you an idea of what you need to do at a specific time. A good plan also makes it easier to delegate tasks and supervise different crews.

Declutter

You probably have too many items in your current house that you don’t need or use anymore, and you wouldn’t want to move them to your new home. This is the best time to declutter. Move from room to room, sort out which things you will carry along and those you should let go of. Set up some items for donations. You can sell others, give out broken appliances for recycling and return items that belong to others. Decluttering will make your unpacking process less chaotic.

Label Your Items

The best way to keep your items organized while moving is by labeling them. Label the contents in each box, give your packages a number and prepare a list of what each box contains. This way, you won’t have to open all the boxes if you need something after getting to your new house. Put like items in one package to make the unpacking process more manageable. Also, pack room by room and indicate the boxes that contain a specific room’s items. Once you get to your new house, move the boxes to the appropriate rooms for easy unpacking.

Create an Unpacking Plan

Even before you move, have a well-organized plan on how you will unpack and stick to it. Create a time frame and realistic goals, and hold yourself accountable. As you move, you need to ensure that your family has access to the essential items, so you should pack them last and unpack them first. They include food, toiletries, medication, keys, electronic devices, and chargers. After unpacking the necessities, move to the kitchen, line the cupboards, cabinets, unpack what you need, and have major appliances hooked up. After the kitchen, put the bedroom together, move to the bathrooms, then to the living room and arrange furniture. You can finish up with organizing the garage, basement, and other utility rooms.

The Bottom Line

Moving and reorganizing your new home can be overwhelming, but you can make it easier by staying organized. The above tips will help keep everything in control on your next move.

Author Bio: Colin Crown is a contributing writer and media specialist for North American Van Lines. He is an avid foodie, marketing enthusiast and loves the city of Memphis.