Getting ready to move? 7 tips for making the process faster, easier and stress-free

It's probably safe to say that no one enjoys the process of moving.

While you may be excited for a fresh start in a new place or to finally become a homeowner, chances are that you're not looking forward to all of the stress that comes with moving.

Having to pack your entire life into boxes and then relocate those boxes to a new place is no easy task, and, without preparation, it's easy for the process to get chaotic quickly.

So, if you're getting ready to move, or are planning to in the near future, here are some tips to make the process a whole lot easier:

Stock up on necessary packing supplies

It's important to have all of the necessary supplies ready to start packing. This includes boxes of various sizes, good quality packing tape and markers for labeling.

To avoid making multiple trips back to the store for more supplies once you run out — which is a major time waster when you're trying to get everything done — you can use a packing calculator to help estimate how many boxes and other supplies you may need, as well as how much all of the supplies might cost.

As a tip, you can avoid buying bubble wrap for fragile items and instead use items you already have, like bedsheets and t-shirts, to wrap up and pack away those items safely. Additionally, if you don't want to purchase wardrobe boxes, you can actually use trash bags to keep your clothes together. You can do this by putting a trash bag over your clothes from the bottom while they're still hanging up, and use the bag's tie to keep all of the hangers together.

Give yourself more time than you think you need

When moving, the last thing you want to do is leave yourself with no time to get everything done. Avoid this by setting up a timeline and giving yourself more time than you think you need to get it all done.

You can even create a checklist that outlines every single step in the process, from declutter and buying supplies to filling up the moving vehicle, so you can keep track of exactly what you've done and what you still have to do.

Declutter unused items before packing

Because packing involves going through every single item you own, you'll likely come across things you've forgotten about and things you don't need.

Whether it's clothes you haven't worn in over a year, expired food that's been hidden in the back of your cabinets or old knick knacks you no longer care for, take some time to declutter before you start the packing process. Moving is stressful enough, but you don't want to make the process any more difficult by moving items that you don't plan to use anyway.

Pack a bag with necessities

When you move into your new place, it's going to take a while before all of your belongings are unpacked and organized. Because of this, you don't want to get stuck sifting through all of your boxes trying to find your toiletries or a change of clothes.

So, plan to pack a backpack or duffle bag with anything you might need, like shower supplies, extra clothes, hand soap, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and anything else you think you may need right away. This way, as you start to pack, you can make a mental note of the items that need to be set aside.

Use a labeling system and pack one room at a time

Having a more organized moving experience starts by being thorough when packing. To do this, you should determine a labeling system for your boxes so you know exactly what is in each box and where it belongs when you move in.

Instead of just labeling each box by room, make a more specific note by writing exactly what is inside the box, like kitchen dishes, bathroom towels, bedsheets and blankets, for example. You can also opt to designate each room in your home a color and write the contents of that box in that color. There are a variety of other ways you can go about labeling your boxes, but, regardless of which method you choose, it is going to make is easier to unpack in your new home.

Also, try to pack up your belongings by room, rather than trying to tackle everything at once. You can start in a room that you don't use as often and that has items that you're able to live without for the time being so you can get those spaces out of the way. Then as you get closer to moving day, you can pack up rooms that are used more often.

Put heavier items in smaller boxes

As you are packing, it can be easy to set down a large box and try to fit as many of your belongings in that box as you can. But, chances are, you're going to go to move that box out of the way and it'll be way too heavy for you to pick up. So, make sure you don't pack any box heavier than you're able to move.

To avoid this, try packing heavier items in smaller boxes. A small heavy box is easier to lift than a large heavy box, and using this method will ensure that you don't waste time and energy moving things that are too difficult to carry.

Put boxes in the back of the moving truck and big furniture in the front

If you're making one big trip when moving, the order in which you put your items in the U-Haul or another vehicle is equally as important as how you packed your boxes.

If you can, make sure you put any boxes you may have in the vehicle first so they are in the very back, and then put any large pieces of furniture in last so they are in the very front. By doing this, you'll ensure that you can move your furniture into your new home first without having to worry about navigating around any moving boxes that have already been brought inside. It will also make it easier for you to decide how you'd like your furniture to be arranged in each space.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Moving tips and hacks to make your move faster, easier and stress-free