Now that you've gone through a huge pile of boxes and tape, your garage is overflowing with packed boxes, and you are dining on paper plates with forks you took from the fast food joint, the uncomplicated part is over. Now that you're all packed up, a day or two before moving day, it's time to work on the last few items.
You'll likely need a ladder for this part, along with the tools listed in our last post. If you've had big window coverings you will probably need some wood filler, too. If you are doing a do-it-yourself move, you'll need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large spool for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Be Flexible and Plan Ahead
Packing for a move takes a lot of time and dedication, and you must plan for that if you're going to do a DIY move. A large dry-erase calendar can help you stay on track, and you can edit it as changes occur. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and keeping on top of steps 1 and 2 should make step 3 a lot less exasperating.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is overloading boxes. Books are a huge offender; they're usually small but they're heavy. Four or five hardbacks is adequate for a small box, so fill in the rest of the box with lighter weight accessories--coasters, photos, magazines--that will go back in the same room or area with the books themselves.
The Day Prior to the Big Move in Little Rock
Now that the big day is tomorrow, it is time to work on the pantry and the fridge. Unless you’re moving right around the corner, you should probably take all the unwrapped non-perishables to a food pantry, and toss the rest. For a short trip, you can place perishables in coolers containing dry ice, but food is a lot like your other items--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers usually want the art and mirrors covered in bubble wrap or crated before they load them. If not, you still need to pad each piece (flannel sheets, beach towels, etc. work great between pieces) and move them in your car instead of the moving truck. You can secure lighting with a seatbelt if you are moving yourself.
If you put any of your furniture together, now's the time to disassemble it. Most furniture can be deconstructed with a slot or Phillips head screwdriver and a small hammer. Keep the bolts, screws, and other hardware in a baggie or container and label it, and tape it to the inside of a bed rail or a drawer so you can put it all back together again without having to pay a visit to the hardware store around the corner. It is a good idea to take photos of the hardware just in case something gets lost--and it will.
Box up your cleaning supplies and plan to take them to the new home in your automobile--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture with the moving blankets and secure the blankets with the shrink wrap. The wrap won't mar finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in Little Rock
If you have spent the last night in your home, you probably slept on mattresses on the floor, since your beds are in pieces. You have also packed a small duffel with necessities for the day since all your clothes are in boxes. Place your linens and towels in a big box or bag, and away you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a big move could be a multiple day project. The movers will likely be at your house first thing and ready to get going—the clock starts when they get there, not after you've had your coffee. It's going to be a long day, so respect their time and expertise by being ready for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be very pleased with your new home—particularly when you can find the coffee pot.
