The good news is that you’ve bought a new house and you can’t wait to turn it into a home. The bad news is that you have to move all your things from your old house to your new one. With all the packing, labelling and transportation involved, it’s a daunting task, one which could turn a happy occasion into a frustrating one.

That said, there are lots of ways to help make your move easier and less taxing on your nerves.

However, before you read on, just make sure that you treat it all like an adventure. Moving and settling into a new house is an exciting chapter in your life so enjoy it to the full. Moreover, accept that moving and settling in does take time and patience.

Make a list

First things first – decide what you want to move to your new house and what you will be leaving behind. Remember that the cost of your move will largely depend on the weight of what you will be moving, so try and lighten the load as much as possible.

This can be a difficult yet therapeutic process. After all, some of the things that you will be leaving behind might have sentimental value or hold precious memories. However, they’re just things. It is useless, for instance, to move a fitted kitchen when the kitchen space in your new house has different dimensions. That said, don’t just throw things away – some things can be donated to charity.

First of all, group items according to their use – don’t put random items together

After you’ve finished this process, write a list of all the things you will be moving. Next to each item, leave space where eventually you will jot down the corresponding number on the boxes. This will eventually make unpacking much easier.

Stock up

You’ll need plenty of boxes, tape, permanent markers and labels. Order extra removal boxes just in case you need more. You will also need strong packing tape to close up the boxes securely. For fragile items, you will need bubble wrap to act as a cushion.

However, you don’t need boxes for everything. You can pack bulky yet light items such as pillows and blankets in wardrobes. Also, clothes can remain hanging in wardrobes. That way, you’ll have fewer boxes to move.

Packing

When packing your boxes, you need a strategy.

First of all, group items according to their use – don’t put random items together. For instance, pack light bulbs with lamps and cords with the respective appliance. For loose parts, you can stick them to the item they belong to with tape – for instance, picture hooks with pictures or brackets with a shelf.

Pack fragile items together. Dishes and cups, for instance, should be packed in one box – put packing paper or bubble wrap around each one and place them on their sides in the box. Use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below the items.

Don’t make the boxes too heavy to lift. And don’t leave it until moving day – pack everything beforehand and only leave essential items like the kettle until the last minute.

With regards to valuable or important items, keep them with you. For valuable items, check whether your need special insurance cover. Also, since documents such as passports or bills have a knack of getting lost, pack everything in a hand luggage and keep it with you.

Every family member should have a respective box for miscellaneous items and other items which will be needed right away in your new home.

Label all your boxes – the label should include a short yet clear description as well as a number and the room which they are destined to. This will help the movers unpack your boxes in the right room. Make sure that the description and number match those on your list.

Appliances need some careful attention. If you’re taking your refrigerator with you, make sure to empty, clean and defrost it at least one day before moving day. For LCD or plasma televisions, make sure that these aren’t laid flat as they might get damaged – for extra care, wrap them in quilted pads.

Moving on – the checklist

• Plan early before your move – especially if you’ve been living in your old house for years, you will have accumulated a lot of stuff.

• If you’re using removal professionals, make sure that they come with a recommendation from a friend or family member.

• If you’re organising the move yourself, get extra help from family and friends. You’ll need it.

• Notify your contacts of your move and do a change of address.

• Order new furniture for your new home for delivery in time for the move – you don’t want to be living out of boxes for more than a week.