50 Tips and Tricks for Moving and Packing

You’ve bought a new house….now what?!? Your head is spinning a thousand miles a minute. Reality is setting in and deadlines are in place with closing dates. Moving can seem daunting, but we are here to help. In this blog post we have come up with 50 tips (and tricks) for moving AND packing. Hopefully this list can help put your mind to rest and give you the strategy you so desperately need to get out of your current home and into your new home.

Planning Phase

1.      Plan ahead – it is never too early to get your plan together!

2.      Prepare a budget – include costs for movers, packing supplies, travel arrangements, etc. and then add in 10% extra for unforeseen expenses

3.      Organize yourself – whether you are a spreadsheet person, a list person or a sticky note person, decide on a system and keep with it throughout the move

4.      Make a master moving folder with all of the necessary contact info for both ends of the move and master packing list for locating items when needed

5.      Keep copies of all moving related contracts and receipts

6.     Gather important records and documents including identification, birth certificates, passports, banking and medical records and store together in a lockbox in a safe place

7.     Interview, review quotes and decide on whether you will be packing and moving yourself or hiring some/all out

8.      Reserve your movers!

9.      Notify schools of your upcoming move and register students at new school

10.  Make arrangements for transfer of medical records and prescriptions to new location

11.  File a change of address with the post office, insurance carrier, medical center, and banks

12.  Arrange for the transfer or cancellation of utilities (change should be in effect on day of closing)

13.  Make all travel and hotel reservation for you and your family if you are moving out of the area

14.  Make a space plan for your new home to help you decide on how much you will need to take with you and how much you will need divest. Remember, you will be paying to move every item – why pay more than necessary?!

15.  Moving is stressful for everyone. Arrange for childcare on moving day, but also consider playdates while you are packing, to keep children out of the home moving stress and give them added time with friends they may be leaving behind

16.  Don’t forget your pets! Make arrangements for transporting them, but also for a pet sitter during the packing and on moving day

17.  Meal plan to use up food in your refrigerator and cabinets to cut down on waste or moving efforts

Packing Phase

18.      Pick up all moving supplies -blankets, boxes (multiple sizes), bubble wrap, packing tape, plastic wrap, mattress bags, etc.

19.      Sort through one room at a time filling boxes to sell, donate, trash and pack. Leave out what is necessary to get you through until moving day, but make sure you have enough boxes for the last-minute items

20.      Make a packing list for each box to include in your master folder

21.      Select a color for each room of the house and label each box with a sticker or tape in that color. When you arrive at your new home, use the same colors to mark each room so that the movers can easily place each box in the appropriate room. Your packing lists should also be color coded for a smooth transition

22.      Return any borrowed items that you uncover while packing

23.      Collect any things that you lent out

24.      Pack and mark special boxes that will be loaded onto the truck last and unloaded first that include items necessary for the first night in your new home

25.      Look into transportation requirements and restrictions for houseplants. Gift those that cannot make the trip

26.      Prepare a suitcase of personal items for each member of the household to take with them on the move. This can be their carry on luggage if traveling by plane

Downsizing

27.      List items to sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Give yourself enough time to get the word out and make the sale

28.      Gift special items that you are unable to transport to friends and family. Arrange pick up or drop offs before your move

29.      Reach out to thrift stores or charitable organizations to pick up donations.

30.      Relist any unsold items on Freecycle or neighborhood gifting site

31.      Drop off any remaining donations or gifts not picked up at a donation center

32.      Make a trip to the local dump with any leftover items

33.      Shred all sensitive paperwork needing disposal

34.      Eat the food that you cannot pack and take with you

Moving Day

35.      Be there to greet movers and oversee the entire loading process

36.      Explain your organization system and point out your “load last” boxes

37.      Specify any valuable items that need extra care in packing/moving

38.      Remember that professional movers do this everyday and probably have better packing skills than you. That said, do let them know if you have concerns before any unfortunate occurrences

39.      Supply drinks and food for the movers – they are working hard!

40.      Clean out the refrigerator and leave empty. This goes for all of your appliances

41.      Vacuum and wipe down everything in the house before leaving. Pack these cleaning items onto the truck last so that you are ready to repeat the process upon arriving at your new home

42.      Do a final walk through to make sure nothing has been left behind

43.      Turn off all lights, lock up and hand over keys to your real estate agent or landlord

First Night in New Home

44.      Meet the movers at your new home

45.      You should have already done a final walk through before closing, but this is a good time to double check all faucets, utilities, smoke detectors and security systems before moving everything in

46.      Check off items as they are unloaded and photograph any damages before signing the bill of lading

47.      Direct movers to place items in the proper rooms as per your color coded packing system

48.      You should have available your personal carry-on case and first off of the truck moving boxes. These should include bedding for each person, pajamas, toiletries, towels, toilet paper, medications, first aid kit, pet food, litter box, leash and bowls, basic tools, lightbulbs, phone charger, flashlight, basic cleaning supplies, paper plates, cups, snacks, drinks and entertainment for the kids

49.      Plan to eat out or order in food

50.      Take a deep breath, take a photo or two and enjoy the first night of your new adventure!

Moving is stressful but planning ahead will definitely help ease the stress and give you a bit of structure to a very hectic process. Though we can’t magically take away all the pains of moving, hopefully these tips can start you on your way to a successful move and bring order to your chaos!

2024 Paint Colors of the Year - Home Stager Edition

As the new year approaches, the top paint companies have all announced their picks for the 2024 color of the year and we must say they are bold and intriguing. While some are useful for interiors, some…not so much. But is that really the point of the paint companies’ choices? That’s why we are back at it again this year with our top paint color picks for 2024 as well.

Pantone and the other paint companies tend to predict the color based upon the culture of the world at the time. They use this information to forecast trends for the upcoming year. Color experts come from a wide range of design, cultural and geographical backgrounds to decide on a color that reflects society as a whole both culturally and emotionally. This doesn’t always mean it’s the perfect color for your living room. (I mean most people probably don’t want a family room painted in Pantone’s 2024 color Peach Fuzz, right?). It’s simply a color that is symbolic of cultural society at present day.

Our job as home stagers is to acknowledge the trend but recommend paint colors that will resonate with a wide audience and remain stylish for several years to come. Our homes should be a reflection of us, but when it comes time to sell your home, just know you will need to appeal to vast array of buyers. Careful selection of color choices will allow you to enjoy and reflect your style, while also inviting others to love it as much as you do.

Let’s be honest, 2024 colors selected by the paint companies are somewhat of a 1980s island theme, with all the variations of blue and coral. I have visions of Fantasy Island and The Golden Girls each time I see these colors. (Hats off to Behr & Dutch Boy for their moody hues with Cracked Pepper and Ironside!). As much as we want to be swept away to the tropics or re-live our childhood watching Blanche, Dorothy and Rose banter back and forth sitting on their coral and teal rattan sofa, we believe we should recommend a more realistic approach to paint colors. Colors that will be on-trend but also universal and pleasing to a wide audience.

In this post you will hear LRV mentioned quite a bit. LRV stands for “Light Reflective Value”. Each color has a number ranging from 0-100. The number represents how much light the color will take on, therefore possibly changing its appearance. In order to get a better understanding of this paradigm, think of a pure white as having an LVR of 100 and a true black as 0. So, the darker the color, the smaller the LRV number and the lighter the color, the higher. Darker colors soak up light and lighter colors reflect it just like a black shirt soaks up the warmth of sunshine while a white t-shirt can keep you cooler on a hot summer day.

Alright, let’s get to it, shall we? And our 2024 color picks are…….

Leigh - Sherwin Williams Iron Ore

I went with a bold move this year. I think I may have traveled to the dark side. Sherwin William’s Iron Ore is a standout neutral. Dark color is very on-trend right now and this color does not disappoint. With an LRV of 6 this color is very, very dark and to the naked eye comes across as a true black against a stark white. However, it’s more of a charcoal and has a nice warm feel (kind of like a warm hug). It pairs nicely with creamy whites, beiges and browns while allowing a neutral backdrop for any pops of color. It creates the drama one may want or need in an interior space or on the exterior of the home (loooove it paired with wood and stone on exteriors!) Inside the home consider using Iron Ore for trim, doors or accent walls. Or even try it in your powder room (ceiling too) for a dramatic flair. You will thank me later.

Picture via Sherwin Williams

Wendy - Benjamin Moore Rodeo

I painted my new modern mountain house Rodeo by Ben Moore, which started out as a compromise between myself (I wanted white) and my husband (wanted an actual color).  I was unsure at first, but now that I live in it, I'm amazed how much I love it.  Rodeo is a warm gray taupe that is a perfect compromise between gray and beige.  It's warm enough to go with natural wood tones and saddle leathers, but cool enough not to look muddy or brown. Its LRV sits almost neutral at 60 which means there’s not a lot of shift that happens. This is a fantastic neutral if you are unwilling to spend the $$ to update those natural wood floors or cabinets that look too orange with the more popular true grays.  Its a bit unassuming in the sea of color swatches you'll see in the retail store, and anything but when you put it on the wall. 

Picture via Benjamin Moore

Alison - Benjamin Moore Herb Garden

I love all things green - it’s “Nature’s Neutral” - and it’s one of the few colors that I can commit to in an interior space without too much hesitation. (My co-workers will tell you I tend to run from color). Benjamin Moore’s Herb Garden is the color that checks off all the boxes for me.  This color has an LRV of 17 so it is dark and holds its own with lighting. It will not sway. It’s the perfect balance:  not too deep and dreary - and not too pale and pastel (gasp!)  The cast is right where I like green to be - fresh, earthy, leafy - and not too blue.  At that point it just starts to look like the color of the Philadelphia Eagles - and as the wife of a New York Giants fan, we can’t have that.  

Picture courtesy of Noz Design

Kim - Sherwin Williams drift of mist

Looking for a nice neutral? Sherwin William’s Drift of Mist is my choice for this year. It’s not your normal, boring gray. However, its a little complex (aren’t we all?), because it is neither cool nor warm. It can wave back and forth, depending on what it is paired with in your fixed elements of the home like countertops and flooring. (Hmmm…sounds a lot like what I tell my kids happens with certain friends they hang out with the most). It’s LRV is 69 which means it is heading toward the lighter end of the scale. It makes for a great whole house neutral allowing for just enough pop with the white trim. If you’ve been a fan of Agreeable Gray (which isn’t very agreeable sometimes!), you will LOVE Drift of Mist. It’s lighter and brighter. It also has a little bit of a green undertone so if you love all the dark green tones that are trendy right now (swoon!), this color will look stunning with it. But you will find that it compliments many colors as well. As a result, it makes sense to paint your whole house a color that will withstand the ever-changing trendy colors in your decor. If you don’t want to commit to sterile white/cream walls but you don’t want gray or beige either - Drift of Mist is for you!

Picture courtest of The Creativity Exchange

Laura - Sherwin Williams Pewter Green

Is it a greyish green? Is it a greenish grey? I don’t know, but I am obsessed! With an LRV of just 12, this surprisingly neutral hue by Sherwin Williams is on the dark side, but still manages to keep things light. Pewter Green is extremely flexible, complimenting Grand Millennial’s busy wallpapers, Modern Farmhouse’s warm beiges, and Boho’s light wood tones. This color chameleon swings from soft and romantic to complex and moody (kind of like me!). In 2023, it has taken center stage on my kitchen island, made a grand entrance on my exterior doors (paired with pinkish brick, it’s a chef’s kiss!) and may soon make a guest appearance in my spare bedroom (get it - guest appearance?). With the number of compliments I have received, I think we will be seeing a lot of this color in 2024.

Picture via Sherwin Williams

Marlo - Benjamin Moore Sweet Basil

Benjamin Moore’s Sweet Basil is a classic color that works great with modern or traditional decor. It’s moody, soothing and it brings nature indoors. For someone like myself who loves to be outdoors hiking the trails, this color brings the feel of nature indoors. With an LRV of 13, it’s on the darker side making it moody and soothing but not so dark you feel like you’re in a cave. It’s a good color to create a pop for an accent wall or a powder room (we love to have a little creative fun in powder rooms!). It pairs so well with natural wood bringing more of that outside inside vibe to any space. It pairs well with blacks and creamy whites without bringing out any yellow undertones.

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Miriam - SW Silvermist

Last but not least, let’s nod toward the paint companies’ efforts for their Caribbean flair, but in a nice neutral way. Silvermist was the August 2023 Color of the month choice for Sherwin Williams and is my color of choice for those wanting a coastal, modern vibe to their home. This color evokes an ocean feel but in a neutral way. With an LRV of 47, it falls in the medium-dark category. Its soft blue, green hues pair nicely with most beiges and grays, while standing out on its own. You can pair it with just about any of the other colors mentioned by our staff. Silvermist adds coastal, casual, calmness to any space whether it be an accent wall, the main feature or just in accessories to lighten up darker spaces. Sorry paint companies, but this is my pick for island serenity as I dream of breezy ocean air.

Picture courtesy of Sherwin Williams

That’s a wrap with our 2024 paint colors. Though each of our colors were chosen individually, collectively we all leaned toward green undertones. That must say something about trend worthy design!

Whether you are selling or staying in your home, it’s important to acknowledge trends while staying neutral in your paint selections. You can have more fun, and less expense, with trendy colors through your accessorizing - so go out and buy that Persimmon pillow but don’t paint your wall that color!

We strongly encourage homeowners to sample these colors (or any for that matter) in their own homes as light and fixed elements play a huge role in how a paint color appears in a home. No one wants to waste time or money so it’s important to get it right. If you are looking for a refresh in your home, but don’t know where to begin, we offer Color Consultations for selling AND living! Just go online and book your appointment today.

Let us shine a spotlight on your home!