Tips for organizing a DIY move
Let’s be honest: moving house is a colossal hassle. Between boxes that won’t close, adhesive tape that won’t stick properly, and that Swedish piece of furniture that looked incredibly easy to disassemble (but absolutely wasn’t), a nervous breakdown is always just around the corner. And if you have to manage everything in your spare time, maybe after eight hours at the office, moving stress quickly becomes your new unwanted roommate.
The good news? Even though a DIY move will never be a walk in the park, there are ways to make it far less painful. By knowing a couple of things in advance and organizing yourself with the right tools, you can avoid turning your house move into a horror movie. Here are our tips to help you come out unscathed from your next move.
1. Get ahead with decluttering
The first secret to a successful DIY move is not transporting what you no longer need. Before you start packing, go through every room: donate, sell, or recycle items you haven’t used in over a year. Less volume means less effort and, above all, fewer trips between the old and the new home. Platforms like eBay, Subito, and Vinted can also help you make a little extra money from items that still have some value.
2. Choose the right vehicle
One of the most common mistakes is thinking you can move an entire apartment using your small city car. This results in dozens of trips, excessive fuel consumption, and the risk of damaging your car’s interior or the furniture itself. To organize a DIY move in a more professional way, the best solution is to opt for van rental.
There are vehicles of different sizes that can be driven with a standard Category B license and allow you to load almost everything in a single trip, ensuring maximum protection for your belongings thanks to internal anchoring systems.
3. Moving clothes: tips to avoid ironing everything again
Packing your wardrobe is often the most tedious part. A time-saving trick for moving clothes? Experts recommend using “wardrobe boxes,” vertical containers equipped with a hanging rail that allow you to transfer clothes directly from hanger to box. Alternatively, for less delicate garments, you can use vacuum storage bags to drastically reduce the space they take up in the cargo area.
4. Inventory and color codes so you don’t lose anything
Don’t just write “Kitchen” on every box; use colored stickers to distinguish destination rooms and number each box. Create a list on your phone where each number corresponds to the main contents (e.g., Box 4 – Plates and glasses). This will make unloading the van and placing items in your new home much faster and more efficient.
5. Prepare a “Survival Kit”
Among DIY moving tips, this one is essential: prepare a bag with the essentials for your first night in the new house, including phone chargers, pajamas, personal hygiene products, a set of cutlery, and important documents. You definitely don’t want to dig through twenty boxes just to find your toothbrush after an exhausting day.
6. Protect your belongings (and your back)
Don’t skimp on bubble wrap and quality packing tape and, when loading the vehicle, place the heaviest furniture at the bottom and fragile items on top. When unloading, remember to lift weights by bending your knees, not your back: physical safety is the absolute priority during a manual move.
7. Manage the emotional impact
Moving is not only physically demanding but also psychologically challenging. If you feel the pressure building up, take a moment to pause. There are small strategies to manage moving stress and stay calm even when everything seems upside down.
By following these DIY moving tips, you can turn a potentially chaotic day into a smooth and well-managed process. Good planning and the right means of transport are your best allies for starting life in your new home on the right foot.
