How to Move Without Losing It

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There’s a reason moving is an enormous industry. There’s a lot of stress that accompanies a move. And folks will front the cash to skirt some of that stress, whether it’s hiring pricey movers or throwing away thousands of dollars worth of furniture.

Fortunately, you don’t have to part ways with every possession just to lessen the pain of a move. The Burrow team has been around the moving block (we’re New Yorkers after all), and we’ve compiled our best tips to make your next one a breeze. Okay, maybe not a “breeze,” but less of a hurricane.

How to Move Without Losing It

So we just said you don’t have to throw out all your stuff. But that doesn’t mean a little decluttering won’t go a long way. We accumulate so much over the years — from bulky stacks of birthday cards to heaps of unworn clothes. Before you pack a single box, decide what you can part ways with. We like to separate our things into piles: one for donating and one for ditching. You’ll thank yourself on moving day when you don’t have to lift another box. If you aren’t sure where to find a reliable clothing donation box near you, the good folks at For Days will send you a take-back bag, which guarantees the clothes you recycle will actually be recycled, and not just tossed in the landfill. Next, take a look at your big ticket items, like furniture. Bulky items are the hardest to shuffle from one place to the next. Maybe it’s finally time to say goodbye to that lumpy mattress or stained area rug. We live in a world where you can have anything you need shipped to directly your new place.

Before the big day

If you aren’t sure where to find a reliable clothing donation box near you, the good folks at For Days will send you a take-back bag, which guarantees the clothes you recycle will actually be recycled, and not just tossed in the landfill.

Next, take a look at your big ticket items, like furniture. Bulky items are the hardest to shuffle from one place to the next. Maybe it’s finally time to say goodbye to that lumpy mattress or stained area rug. We live in a world where you can have anything you need shipped to directly your new place.

Labels can be your best friend or a major roadblock in the unpacking process. You might think that a generic label is better than no label at all, but that’s not the case. Vague titles will make locating specific items nothing short of a nightmare. Instead of tossing hardware into a box called “bedroom,” or spices into a box called “kitchen,” get more specific. Put similar things like your pillows and duvet together, and write their names — not just their location — on the box. Speaking of boxes, have you considered the reusable plastic tub option? They go by many different names in every city — here in New York, a go-to is Gorilla Bins — but the concept is the same: you tell them how big your space is, they drop off a bunch of empty bins with zip ties and fresh labels, and you use those instead of cardboard. Once you’re unpacked in the new place, they’ll come pick them up, and in the meantime, they stack up to save space (and save your tired arms from flattening cardboard).

During the move

Speaking of boxes, have you considered the reusable plastic tub option? They go by many different names in every city — here in New York, a go-to is Gorilla Bins — but the concept is the same: you tell them how big your space is, they drop off a bunch of empty bins with zip ties and fresh labels, and you use those instead of cardboard. Once you’re unpacked in the new place, they’ll come pick them up, and in the meantime, they stack up to save space (and save your tired arms from flattening cardboard).

After you’ve moved

Whether you roll up your sleeves or hire a professional to do it, give yourself the peace of mind to get into all the nooks and crannies. And do it before you unpack. It’s sort of like showering before you get in bed. Don’t you always sleep better when you’re squeaky clean? The same goes for a move. Cleanliness is the enemy of stress, so do yourself a solid and scrub away.

One of the beautiful things about a move is that it’s a fresh start. Maybe you finally dumped your messy roommate. Or maybe you’re moving in with your partner for the first time. A move comes with a sense of purpose and possibility. So how can you make this fresh start truly fresh? Do a deep clean. Whether you roll up your sleeves or hire a professional to do it, give yourself the peace of mind to get into all the nooks and crannies. And do it before you unpack. It’s sort of like showering before you get in bed. Don’t you always sleep better when you’re squeaky clean? The same goes for a move. Cleanliness is the enemy of stress, so do yourself a solid and scrub away.

Once you’re moved in and unpacked, the real fun begins. There’s a lot of creativity that comes with a move — from arranging your furniture to choosing decor. When it’s time to pick a new couch, add an eye-catching area rug, or maybe an artful new lamp, we’ll be here for you. And if you need a hand sorting out that new space, make an appointment with the complimentary design concierge at Burrow House.

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