< Back

April 24, 2023

So you've found a new place to stay and you're ready to take action. But where do you start and how do you go about it so that you don't forget anything important? Anyone who has ever moved even once in their life knows that it's not easy. You think you're in control, then things get so complicated so fast you lose track.

Prepare a travel bag

... with everything you'll need for the first two or three days. Think of it as a road trip: most of your stuff will be in boxes for a while, so it's best to have towels, a change of clothes and toiletries to hand. You can also store your laptop so that it's safe and easily accessible.

Use transparent plastic bins

... to store what you need first. If you put toilet rolls, a change of clothes, your charger and other essentials in a box identical to the 20 other boxes you have, you could be beset with regret. Finding everything again can be very difficult.

Pack your glasses, cups and other fragile items

... in socks or T-shirts to protect them. You'll also eliminate a few big bags full of clothes!

Write on your boxes what's inside

... especially if you're storing some of your belongings in a self-storage branch. For boxes that will go into your new living space, write on your boxes the room in which they are to be placed. For the boxes you'll be storing in your self-storage unit - whether in Langley, Surrey, Mission or Coquitlam - we recommend that you label your boxes with the type of items they contain, such as tools, dishes or toys. It's hard enough to keep track of what's in each box when you're moving, imagine when you come back a month later to retrieve an item from your storage unit.

Determine where your belongings will go

Go to your new home or self-storage unit and plan your move or the storage of your belongings there. Decide how many boxes you'll put in where. If you wait until moving day to determine the distribution of your belongings, you're in for a world of trouble... and a world of trouble!

Put fragile items on top

Wherever these items go, whether in your new living space or self-storage unit, be sure to place them on top. Adding a few cotton pads to your make-up bag and laptop case will also help protect your belongings.

Stack your plates vertically, not horizontally

This tip is so obvious that we're amazed at how often it goes unapplied. By placing them vertically, your plates are less likely to break.

Leave lightweight items in your drawers

There's no need to put the contents of your drawers in boxes. Just be sure to wrap your drawer units in cling film. This will prevent your drawers from opening during transport.

Apply the same technique to your closet

With one difference: if you leave your clothes on their hangers, wrap them in cling film, tape the hangers to the rod and then tape your closet shut. This technique will save you time, not to mention wrinkles!

Store screws in sandwich bags

When dismantling furniture or equipment, store the screws you remove in a sandwich bag. This goes for curtain rods, TV stands, wall cabinets and pretty much anything else that ultimately requires you to hold small parts in one hand and scratch your head with the other. Simply place these small parts in a sandwich bag and stick the whole thing on the piece of furniture or equipment in question. Use the same method for electrical cables.

Think of other uses

Many people wonder what other uses they can put beer cans to - well, there's one. Thanks to their practical handles, they're perfect for books! If you have time to accumulate a few before your move, they'll come in handy once again.

Take a photo to guide you

Before dismantling any complex furniture or equipment, take a photo while everything is still assembled. This goes for IKEA's oddly designed corner desk, as well as the tangle of cables behind the entertainment system. Having a photo for reference will make it much easier to reassemble your Humpty Dumpty.

Use your laundry bins, bags, suitcases and baskets

We all have plenty of laundry bins, bags, suitcases and baskets. Be thrifty and use them to reduce the number of boxes you'll need. If you have some on wheels, put heavy items like cans, books or small dumbbells in them. We hope you find these tips useful. For more storage and packaging solutions