Moving Tips From Professional Organizers

Organizing

• Make a drawing for each floor in your new home, suggests professional organizer Vicki Norris. Then decide how you are going to utilize the room so you can pack for that particular room. Are you turning part of the basement to an exercise room or office? Sketch out the pieces to fit into the space; make note of what needs to be packed for shelves and cabinets. Next is what she calls the discovery process. This is going through each room of your old house and asking,"What's in here? Where should it go in the new house?" Now is the time to bring out boxes labeled "Donate" and "Trash." Put the room's items in the appropriate boxes and begin to pack the items that you' re moving. She suggests that the kitchen be grouped. Plastics, for example, should be boxed together; small appliances should go in another box. Norris also suggests that all boxes be color-coded as to the floor they go on as well as being labeled for the room.

Unpacking

• If you hired professional movers and you sketched out your rooms, the movers will place the furniture where you tell them. If you moved yourself, you can place each room as you have immediate need. For example, the kitchen and bathrooms should be organized first as they are "hubs" for your family. Unpack the boxes that have frequently used items in them first. Save the "not so frequent" item boxes for later. Put toiletries and some linens in the bathrooms. Save the rugs and the rest of the towels for later. Professional movers will have the beds assembled; let each family unpack personal items. If you moved yourself and can not get the beds assembled the first day, don't worry. The first night sleeping on a mattress on the floor can be fun.

The Most Important Box in the Move

• The most important box in the move is the box that contains items you must have once you arrive at your new house: coffee pot, radio for listening while you unpack, snacks, bed linens, paper plates and plasticware -- anything you need the first day or two you arrive at your new house. Mark it clearly and travel with it so you have it first thing upon arrival.

Some Things to Think About

• Is hiring a professional organizer worth it? For some yes, for some no. If your job and schedule keep your time to a minimum, you might want to check out the pros in your area. Having a professional organizer gives you someone to lean on while you do the sometimes overwhelming task of getting ready to move. Another consideration: Do you want to hire professional movers? A professional move is an insured move. Depending on the type of move you make, you might want to do this. Lastly, keep a "moving" notebook that you use to remind yourself to take care of the mail changes, phone numbers of the movers, the utility company -- all contacts that are necessary in your move.