Moving… A Good Time to Organize?
A new home makes life a little busy and stressful, but staying organized in the process and at the new home sure helps.
Closets by McKenry owner and custom closet designer and professional organizer, Chris McKenry, answers common homeowner questions regarding moving.
EK: What is the single most important thing for a homeowner to do prior to moving?
Chris: Create a “to-do” list. It becomes your activity list. You need to find a moving company and get everything packed, but work, family responsibilities, and other commitments have not slowed.
EK: How can a professional organizer assist homeowners during a move?
Chris: A professional organizer can be of enormous help in many ways. During the packing process, they can assist you in assuring that each box is placed in the correct room of your new home where the contents will be used, which is not necessarily in the same area of your new home. Even before the move, your personal organizer will help you be more organized. This makes unpacking much easier.
EK: What does the homeowner need to do to prepare their new home prior to moving?
Chris: Ask yourself if your new home meets your storage needs. Unpacking will be much easier if the pantry, closets, and even the laundry room and garage have storage systems that work for you. Don’t think of a closet as just a place to keep “stuff” behind a door but as a good storage design and place to showcase your collections in a way that brings you joy.
EK: We’re moved. Now what?
Chris: When unpacking, sort by category in every room and then start placing. In closets, use uniform hangers so everything will hang at the same level and clothes will not be playing hide and seek.
Utilize walls for vertical storage. Open wall space works well for ties and belts in closets or pots and pans in the pantry.
Line a wall with shelves if you need storage in a garage or basement. I love the beauty of stylish design and architecture, and there is something appealing about a wall of modern shelves organized into zones. A slat wall is also a fun way to organize a work space.
EK: Any final thoughts?
Chris: The best and most important moving tip is to declutter before you pack the old house. There is a lot of junk hiding in our homes that is no longer important. With the clutter gone, all that is left to organize is what will enhance your new home and life.
Chris McKenry provides custom closet design and professional organizing services to unpack your home.
Closets by McKenry
865.249.6382
www.ClosetsByMcKenry.com