No one likes moving, but once you learn how to do it efficiently, it becomes much less of a chore and more exciting for new beginnings and, of course, new decorations. I have loaded up cars with my stuff for moving, rented U-hauls and hired moving companies in my past — through all of this, the stress of moving has caused me restless nights and headaches.
After doing a lot of research and online shopping for this move, I decided to consult an expert, Najah Ayoub, the chief marketing officer of Piece of Cake Moving, for help. She spoke with me about the tips for making sure your move is less stressful. I also looked back on past interviews we have done with organization experts to compile some tips on how to best organize my new space. Read on to see how I successfully got my security deposit back at my old place, had a seamless move and decorated my new home.
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Moving tips from an expert
Ayoub has seen and worked with many people for their moves, so I asked her some questions about how to best make your move easier on your mind, body and budget. One of my first questions was one I personally struggle with: "Where do you start packing?" It can feel daunting to start packing a whole home. Ayoub says to start "with areas of the home you use the least, and then work your way toward your daily essentials. A room-by-room process works best to stay organized." She says to start with closets, home offices and guest rooms since those hold things you don't use daily.
Ayoub also shares a hack: "keep your essentials handy for the final few days before your move, and pack a separate 'first-night' box or bag with everything you’ll need immediately in your new home, like toiletries, clothing, kitchenware and phone chargers." She also recommends keeping your valuables with you if you hire movers.
For boxes, Ayoub says to pack similar things in a box — you don't want to mix electronics with cleaning products as the move could cause spills. She says, "Using a variety of box sizes is key: smaller boxes work best for heavier items like books, while larger boxes are ideal for lighter items such as linens and pillows. Plastic bins can also be a great option, as they are very durable as long, as you ensure there is enough padding between items inside the bin."
My moving essentials
Painter's tape is something I always keep on hand when I am doing home improvements. It is great for marking walls around the house for pictures, painting and other home improvements.
If you are a clean freak like me, you get worried about shoes in your home. The last thing I wanted to ask my movers was to take off their shoes, so I bought these booties for them to use when they were in my home. They ended up being really useful, and if I ever host a party, I just might make people wear these, too.
When you're moving things like a TV or a mirror, you’re going to love that you bought these ahead of time. They keep your items safe and you can easily tape them up around the blanket. Ayoub recommends getting these for larger items in your home.
These bags were a lifesaver; they packed up my entire closet and bedding so easily. They came with labels so I could easily write what each bag was. I also loved how the zipper closure was so secure.
These moving boxes were so great. You can pack up your entire closet (hangers and all) in probably two of these boxes. Then, when you get to your new place, it is so easy to pop them back in your closet.
Luckily, my new home was less than 15 minutes from where I used to live. I was able to bring this one bag to and from the apartments multiple times. This bag held everything from an entire load of laundry to all of my kitchen pans.
It also has two handles, so it is easy to throw over your shoulder or on your wrist.
My cleaning and organizing essentials
I have a very large kitchen drawer, and when I moved in, let's just say the drawer wasn't being used to its full potential. I found this expandable drawer organizer and loved how easily it was to put together and how it fit literally everything I needed.
When I move into a new space, I also line my kitchen cabinets, drawers and bathroom cabinets with this shelf liner. It protects your cabinets from damage that you could have to pay for later.
If you are hanging a lot of new art in your home and you just can't get the photos or art to stay put in a frame, you need this tape. My hack for hanging art always includes using double-sided tape to lock in the photo right where I want it in a frame.
My new apartment has a ton of light, and that means a ton of dust. I recently tested a variety of different dusters and found this one from Bona to be the best. I previously spoke with cleaning expert Kellsie Zapata about the areas of a home that collect a lot of dust. She said to look out for“ceiling fans, baseboards, blinds, vents, shelves, electronics and behind or under furniture [that] tend to collect the most dust.”
Before moving in I used this all around my new apartment's baseboards and lighting fixtures. to make sure there was no extra dust in the new space before I started to unpack.
Damaging your walls is inevitable, especially if you are like me and love decor. My room had tape dings and scuffs, and this kit from Tinkr included everything I needed to patch small holes and big ones. And I am happy to report, I did get all of my security deposit back.
When moving into a new space, I use so many disinfecting wipes, and they dry out my hands and leave a chemical smell. I love these Biom wipes because they are aesthetically pleasing, are so easy to use and to keep around the house.
In my job, I test tons of beauty products, so I always need extra space in my bathroom where I can store them. I got this over-the-toilet organizer for extra cleaning supplies and beauty. It fits so much and adds a nice organization to the space.
I would call myself a master of organizing, and often can't go to sleep unless everything is clean and in its' correct place. For my kitchen, I got this basket from East Fork and love how antique it looks. It also holds so much. I am able to keep all of my mugs, cookbooks and coffee bags in it.
Having a great trash can makes your life a whole lot easier. Caraway recently launched this new trash can and I am loving it so far. It is very easy to set up and fits regular-sized kitchen trash bags. The lid makes it easy to nail down the bag so you don't have to worry about the bag falling.
I recently upgraded my vacuum to this new one from Dyson. It weighs less than two pounds and is so easy to clean. It holds a lot of dust and the light on it makes it so easy to target your floors' dirtiest areas. If you don't have a ton of closet space, I recommend this vacuum.
My decorating essentials
I need a pitch-black room to fall asleep, and I like to keep my room cold in the summer. This door draft solves both of those issues. It blocks out any light from under my door and it keeps my room cold all day.
My space only has one light in the living room, so it can get pretty dark easily. I knew I wanted a big light to make the space cozier. I love this lantern from Amazon. It was so easy to set up, and you only need to buy a light bulb!
I placed a big Ikea order when I signed my new lease, and in that order were about seven of these boxes. I got a shelving unit from Ikea and these boxes fit so well on it. They conceal what is inside and have lids so that you won't have to worry about dust. And you can stack them, which is an added bonus.
Chrome decor has been such a fun trend recently. I love this vase from Urban Outfitters. It looks great on its own, or you can add a flower or two to it.
Another chrome accent I added to my space was this button tray from West Elm. It was a part of an exciting collaboration and it fits so much on it. I keep it on my desk with candles, jewelry and a carafe.
When I moved in, all the lights in my apartment had no shades at all; it was just a light bulb sticking out of the ceiling. I had heard about these shades from Tulip that get rid of odd-looking lights. They were so easy to install, I didn't even have to screw into my ceiling. I love how warm and cozy it makes the space.
I got this mirror for my kitchen/dining area and loved the price of it for how big it was. It was so easy to hang because it came with all the hardware and had a wire back, which makes it easy to measure in spaces.
I got these East Fork dishes for my new place. They always look handmade but are very durable. I throw them in the microwave and dishwasher. I am already looking forward to hosting a dinner party with these plates.
Quiet Town's bath curtains are such a great addition to any bathroom. They are made beautifully, and I have never had one that has molded. I chose this green striped one with a matching rug to spruce up my space from before.
My new space was lacking a lot of counter space. As someone who loves to cook, I knew I needed a prep table. I found this one on Wayfair, and it was very easy to assemble. I liked that I could choose what height I wanted to put the second shelf at. It is now one of my favorite parts of the kitchen.
Note: The one pictured is slightly different because it sold out.
A good rug can completely transform the space. I have been loving deep greens, and since my room was so filled with white space, I decided to get this green rug. It was super plush and fit into the space perfectly. It also doesn't shed a lot, which is amazing.
If you want a couch that you'll only have to buy once, it is this one from LoveSac. I have been looking for a new couch for months and have my eye on this one because you can wash the covers, change the covers and add or remove as many parts of the couch as you want. If you have a growing family, you can add modular sections as your family grows.
Frequently asked questions
Ayoub says, " It can take one to two weeks to pack a one- or two-bedroom apartment, and anywhere up to three weeks for a larger home, so always start packing early."
Ayoub highly recommends decluttering, saying, "we always encourage our customers to declutter and donate prior to their moving day, so they only move items they actually need into their new home. "
Ayoub says to put crinkled paper at the bottom and to wrap crinkled paper around each object individually. She also says to keep books in a small box as they can get heavy fast.
Ayoub recommends buying packing paper, heavy-duty padded blankets, wardrobe moving boxes and kitchen moving boxes.
"A simple yet effective strategy for keeping your move organized is color-coding boxes with labels. Assign each room or area a specific color, and label boxes accordingly with large stickers or colored tape," says Ayoub.
Ayoub says to clean before you move into your new space so you won't have to worry about it. She says, "Pay close attention to kitchens and bathrooms by sanitizing sinks, countertops, and appliances so everything feels fresh and ready for use. "
Ayoub says to "Focus on high-impact areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, making sure to clean appliances, cabinets, countertops and drawers. Don’t forget the small details such as baseboards, light switches and door handles. Make sure to patch nail holes and removing wall scuffs can make a big difference."
Closet organization tips from an expert
One of the messiest areas of my home is always my closet. I throw everything inside and as long as I can close the doors, I feel like the mess it gone.
In the past, we spoke with Mallory Micetich, a home care expert, on how to best organize your closet. Micetich notes that accessories and shoes can be some of the hardest pieces to store in your closet. She recommends getting storage boxes for your accessories, “For example, you can get a small box to store all of your scarves and a jewelry organizer or two for your rings, necklaces and bracelets.”
Micetich also says that having an open shoe rack concept makes it easier to see what shoes you want to wear daily. For bulkier items, she says to purchase clear bins so that you can see what is inside when they are further in your closet. She also is a fan of wall hooks, “You can use them to hang your robes, purses or winter coats. Just make sure you install them in an area of your closet that won’t get in the way when you try to grab your clothing.”
How we choose
All of the products featured in the above list were products that I have experienced firsthand in this move and past moves. From decor to packing essentials, I find these items to be durable, versatile and essential in moving and decorating.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Najah Ayoub is the Founding CMO of Piece of Cake Moving & Storage. The company launched in 2018 in New York City and has since expanded to all 50 states and every major market.
- Mallory Micetich is a home care expert and the former vice president of corporate communications at Angi, a website that connects users with home care professionals.
- Kellsie Zapata is the owner of Zapata’s Cleaning Service. The company provides professional cleaning services around the East Coast.
