Consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events, moving house can be a literal and metaphorical headache. From efficient planning to decluttering and organising an ‘essentials box’ for the big day, take the stress out of your next move with our expert advice.

Plan ahead
As with any major life event, where possible you should start planning your move a few months before the big day. Create a checklist of important tasks and schedule each task to remain organised and avoid last-minute surprises.

Declutter
We’ve talked about the importance of decluttering many times but it’s for good reason. To make your home feel more spacious, as well as neat and tidy, decluttering is essential. Get rid of any items that are no longer in use – donate, sell or dispose of them in a responsible way. There’s no point in going to the effort of packing things that will then be moved on after unpacking them in your new home.

Become an expert packer
Arguably the worst part of moving, packing up your belongings is never much fun but it’s obviously a necessary evil when moving house. Use quality packing materials (think bubble wrap and padding to protect fragile items), label boxes clearly and keen an inventory of what’s inside to make the unpacking process a bit smoother.

Hire a reliable removalist
We’ve all heard a nightmare removalist story and you may have even experienced one yourself. It’s important to ask around for recommendations from friends and family while also researching removalists and reading reviews from previous customers. Ideally, you should choose a company that is licensed, insured and has a good reputation.

Utilities
Don’t forget to arrange to have your home’s utilities switched over to your new address – this includes gas, electricity and water. Redirecting your internet and phone (if you still have a landline) is important too.

Pets
Our precious pets can often be overlooked in the chaos of moving. It’s not a bad idea to consider boarding them for a few days while you move and once you’re in your new pad you should update their microchip details to reflect your new address.

The essentials box
There’s nothing worse than a long day of moving house, arriving at your new abode and not being able to find the essentials. Packing an essentials box takes the pain out of this – fill it with toiletries, a change of clothes and important documents. Throwing in some snacks can’t hurt either!

Keep calm
Moving is one of the most hectic things you can go through so try to stay calm and don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends and family. Equally, if the budget allows you might even like to consider hiring a professional packer. Many removalist companies offer this service and a professional packer will be able to pack up your home in an efficient, expert manner which could be just the stress-buster you need.