This weekend we helped John’s sister and brother-in-law move into the beautiful new house they designed themselves. Between the inevitable sore muscles and the nonstop carrying, we picked up some reliable, time-saving moving techniques. Since they worked so well, we wanted to pass them along. But first, here’s a shot of their stunning kitchen:
Moving Tip #1: Clean from top to bottom. When you clean a room in your new home—whether it’s kitchen cabinets before you load plates or a closet before you place linens—start at the highest surfaces. Dust and grime naturally fall, so if you work from the top down you won’t re-dirty shelves or counters you’ve already cleaned. This simple order reduces repeating tasks and speeds up the unpacking and setup process.
Moving Tip #2: Touch items only once. If you’re carrying a bulky box of bathroom supplies, don’t drop it in the foyer and plan to move it later. Bring each box or bag directly to its final room and spot while it’s already in your hands. Reducing extra steps saves time and prevents unnecessary bending, lifting, and re-lifting. This “touch it once” method is one of the most efficient packing and unpacking habits you can adopt.
Moving Tip #3: Save seated tasks for last. Reserve the jobs you can do sitting down—folding clothes, organizing drawers, labeling storage—for the end of the day. After a morning of hauling and heavy lifting, seated tasks let you rest while you finish. Simple, low-effort tasks can feel restorative after heavy work, and they’re a satisfying way to end the move. For example, one of the last things I did was sit on a stool and install dish dividers into the deep island drawers; it was quick, precise, and easy on the back.
Moving Tip #4: Keep clothes on the hanger. If you’re not shipping clothing long distances, leave garments on their hangers and drop them into large, heavy-duty black garbage bags. This method avoids the hassle of removing and rehanging items and prevents wrinkling. Use a few oversized bags for entire closets, transport them to the correct rooms, and hang everything back up in just a minute or two. It’s fast, practical, and ideal for saving time during packing and unpacking.
Moving Tip #5: Purge as you unpack. Moving presents the perfect opportunity to edit what you own. Chances are you brought items you didn’t really need in your old place; don’t let them take root in the new one. As you unpack, set aside anything you’re done with—worn clothing, duplicate kitchen items, broken or unused accessories—and either donate or discard them. Decluttering while unpacking prevents new clutter from accumulating and gives your new home a fresh, intentional start. We watched Emily and Todd leave several boxes of unwanted items out for pickup, and the result was more spacious cabinets and closets from day one.
Those tips helped make the move smoother and faster, and they’ll work for almost any relocation—local or long-distance. Do you have go-to moving tips that save time, reduce stress, or protect your back and belongings? Share your best packing and moving strategies so the next time we help a friend or family member move, we’ll be even more prepared. Stay tuned for the after photos of their amazing new home coming soon—there are plenty of finishing touches we can’t wait to show.