Knowing how to move starts with a plan. Whether you just closed on a house, signed a new lease or are downsizing to a smaller space, the process involves weeks of packing, coordination and logistics before a single box hits the truck. This guide breaks it into 10 steps, with advice from professional organizers, moving company executives and real estate professionals.
"Moving is one of the top three most stressful things that we do," said Christen Fackler, a Pennsylvania professional organizer and content creator with more than 200,000 followers on her TikTok, @iorganize.
A clear plan reduces that stress. Here is how to get from your current home to your next one.
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Step 1: Set your timeline and coordinate logistics
The first step is locking down your dates. If you are buying a home, your closing date determines when you get the keys, which determines when you can move in. Build your entire timeline backward from that date.
"Buyers should align three things: loan timing, their current lease or sale and real life — work, kids and school," said Daniel Ickowicz, CEO and broker at Elite International Realty in Miami, Florida. "A closing date with a bit of breathing room is better than an aggressive one that stresses everyone out."
Your seller may also need extra time to vacate. In that case, you may negotiate a rent-back or lease-back agreement, an arrangement where the seller stays temporarily after closing and pays you rent until they move out.
"In a lease-back, the buyer is briefly a landlord," Ickowicz said. "They need a clear written agreement on dates, rent, deposit and access. It can be a win-win, but buyers should understand there's some temporary landlord risk."
Once you have a confirmed move date, book your movers or reserve a rental truck right away. Availability fills up fast, especially during summer months and at the end of the month.
"If you're going to be using a moving company, get your quotes and get them scheduled because a lot of the time, they're booked months out in advance," said Stephanie Booth, an Atlanta, Georgia-based real estate agent, organizer and content creator with nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok.
If you are moving across town, are able-bodied and have friends or family who can help, a DIY move can save money.
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Step 2: Declutter before you pack
Every item you get rid of before packing is one less thing to box, load, carry and unpack. Go through closets, storage areas and rooms one at a time. Donate, sell or discard anything you no longer need.
"Getting rid of as much as you can ahead of time is ideal," Fackler said.
Decluttering and organization expert Dana K. White suggests buying a box package curated to the size of the home you are moving into. For downsizers, this helps you visualize how much will actually fit in the new space and forces hard decisions early.
Decluttering also matters if you are selling your current home. Removing personal items and excess furniture is a standard part of staging a home for listing.
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Step 3: Measure furniture and plan the layout
Before you start packing, confirm that your furniture will physically fit through the doors, hallways and stairwells of your new home. Knowing what fits and what does not will shape how much you need to pack and whether you need to sell or donate certain pieces.
"Measure your new place with the furniture that you plan on taking ... Is it going to fit through the doors?" Booth said. "Their current house might have double doors, but their new house has a single door, stairs and a stairway."
Take measurements of:
- Doorway height and width
- Stairwell width and height
- Large furniture (width, height and diagonal measurements for couches, bed frames and dressers)
- Refrigerator space, if you are bringing your own
- Washer and dryer space, if you are bringing your own
If certain pieces will not fit, list them on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or another resale site. Some thrift stores accept furniture donations.
If you can access the new home before moving day, walk the empty rooms and use painter's tape on the floor to mark where each piece of furniture will go. Share this plan with your movers or helpers in advance. "Measure large furniture in advance and change locks early," Ickowicz suggested.
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Step 4: Handle utilities, insurance and address changes
While the inspection, appraisal and loan approval are being finalized, start setting up the services you will need on day one. Waiting until after closing can leave you without electricity, water or internet when the moving truck arrives.
Before closing, take care of the following:
- Change your mailing address for bank accounts, subscriptions and other services
- Set up mail forwarding with the postal service
- Choose a homeowner's insurance policy and provide proof to your lender
- Schedule utilities (electric, gas, water) to begin on your closing date
- Set up trash and recycling service
- Research internet providers and schedule installation
- Research and schedule a security system, if needed
- Complete a final walkthrough of the property to confirm it is move-in ready
On closing day, your agent will hand over the keys, paperwork and any other items like a garage door opener.
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Step 5: Gather your packing supplies
Having the right materials on hand before you start packing prevents interruptions and protects your belongings. You will need a few different types of supplies:
- Boxes: Get a mix of sizes, including heavy-duty boxes for kitchen items and heavier objects. You can purchase boxes or find them for free on online marketplaces or at stores that give them away.
- Bubble packing material: Small bubbles work for small fragile items; large bubbles protect bigger, delicate pieces.
- Plastic wrap: Keeps drawers shut, protects surfaces and prevents water damage during the move.
- Foam rolls and blankets: Adds a protective layer over furniture to prevent chips, scratches and dents.
- Packing peanuts or filling: Fills space around delicate items to prevent shifting.
- Vacuum seal bags: Compresses soft items like bedding and off-season clothes, saving box space.
"Having good packing tools ... makes the job so much easier," said Fackler. "Having them together, having a tool kit, a basket, a bucket where it's all together."
"The right supplies can make a huge difference to the efficiency of packing, as well as your items staying safe during the move," said Najah Ayoub, CMO of Piece of Cake Moving and Storage, a New York City company that serves several cities across the country.
"Boxes aren't created equal," Booth said. "Heavy duty boxes I highly recommend for a good portion of your kitchen items because they can withstand heavier items. They aren't crushed as easily."
Step 6: Start packing early, beginning with nonessentials
One of the most common packing mistakes is waiting too long to start.
"Most people wait to the last minute and then they're stressed out," Booth said.
Begin with items you will not need in the weeks before the move.
"Pack unused kitchen appliances and holiday items early — they're bulky and not needed daily," Booth said.
Photos, art, personal collections, spare room contents, seasonal clothes and anything stored in areas like an outdoor porch in winter are all good candidates for early packing. Toys and clothes children are still growing into can go early too.
As you pack, designate one area of your home to stage packed boxes. A spare room, basement or garage works well.
"If you can create some specific areas to stage all of these categories, you can keep your bedroom peaceful and your bathroom nice until it gets down to the wire," Fackler said.
Group similar items together so they are easy to find on the other end.
"Starting ahead by grouping categories … collecting all the utility items that are similar, and deciding to pack them together and then knowing where they're going to be on the other end," Fackler said.
Step 7: Pack carefully to prevent damage and injuries
Good packing technique prevents broken items and sore backs. There is a method to it beyond filling boxes.
"Packing isn't just about throwing things in a box," Ayoub said. "There's a strategy to it for an easier move. Use quality packing materials and start with packing heavier items like books at the bottom and lighter weight items like pillows on top."
Keep boxes under 50 pounds. Aim for about 40 pounds at the heaviest. If you are concerned about lifting, stick to the 20- to 30-pound range. Use small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for lighter ones.
"Avoid overstuffing boxes — it can cause the bottom to fall out," Booth said.
At the same time, do not leave too much empty space. "If you don't fill a box completely, then it can smush, so sometimes you just need a little bit of something else to throw in there," Fackler said.
Be careful with your body throughout the process. "I like to bring a table, like a waist-high table, around with me and set the box down on that table," Fackler said. Packing and lifting at waist height reduces strain on your back.
For fragile items like dishes, glasses and figurines, wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap, packing paper or cloth and secure it with tape. Fill the inside of cups and vases before wrapping.
Place a layer of padding between plates. Fill any remaining space in the box with packing material so nothing shifts during transit. Our guide on packing fragile items when moving covers wrapping techniques for each category.
"Packing paper, towels and clothing can be used to wrap fragile items instead of bubble wrap," said Christian Pfeiffer, founder of Valley Organizing in Phoenix, Arizona. "Take pictures of cable setups before unplugging electronics, and keep screws or hardware in small, labeled bags."
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Step 8: Label and organize every box
A labeling system saves hours on the unpacking end. At minimum, write the destination room and a short description of the contents on every box.
"You should mark boxes with the room name and a short description," said Ross Sapir, founder and CEO of Roadway Moving, a national company headquartered in New York City, suggesting labels such as "Kitchen – Pots." Write "Fragile" on all sides of boxes containing delicate items, he added.
"We also offer digital inventory options for even clearer tracking on our long-distance moves," he said.
For a more visual system, consider color-coding.
"A simple yet effective strategy for keeping your move organized is color-coding boxes with labels," said Ayoub. "Assign each room or area a specific color, and label boxes accordingly with large stickers or colored tape. This makes it incredibly easy for both you and your movers to know exactly where everything belongs once it arrives at your new home. It helps streamline the unloading process and makes everything flow more efficiently."
Keep boxes open as long as possible so you can add last-minute items to the correct category rather than creating a miscellaneous box.
Step 9: Prepare your moving survival kit
Set aside a bag or suitcase with everything you will need for the first one to three nights. Moving day is unpredictable, and you do not want to dig through dozens of boxes to find your toothbrush or phone charger.
"Pack like you're going on vacation, even if it's like a suitcase," Booth said. "You want to pack like you're maybe going to an Airbnb that doesn't have all the supplies."
"You should pack a clearly labeled essentials bag with toiletries, chargers, a few outfits and basic kitchen items," Sapir said. "Keep it with you or have it loaded last so it comes off the truck first."
Here is what to include:
- Clothes: Two to seven days of climate-appropriate, move-friendly outfits, plus pajamas and sturdy shoes
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, deodorant, hairbrush, towels, shower curtain and rings, first aid kit, prescriptions, pain relievers, toilet paper
- Bedding: Sheets, pillows, a blanket and an air mattress if needed
- Kitchen basics: Paper plates, paper towels or napkins, plastic utensils, cups or bottles, non-perishable snacks
- Cleaning supplies: Disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, dish soap, sponges, toilet brush, broom, duster or rags, vacuum, trash bags
- Moving supplies: Box cutter or scissors, toolbox, flashlight, extension cords, batteries, tape
- Other essentials: Phone and computer chargers, Wi-Fi router or hotspot, paper and pens, extra door lock, night light, folding table and chair, cooler, coffee or tea pot
"Don't forget your pets — things for your pets," Fackler said. If you have animals, our pet moving tips cover carriers, vet records and calming strategies.Keep important documents in a single, portable spot. "Create a mobile desk when you no longer have your desk," Fackler said. "That can be a bag of folders and some Ziploc bags, a file box or even just a cardboard box."
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Step 10: Execute moving day and settle in
The night before, set out your outfit, pack food and water for the next day, confirm rental truck or mover details, charge all phones and double-check parking at both locations. Plan your driving route.
"The easiest way to make moving day less stressful is to have everything completely packed beforehand, with every box labeled," Pfeiffer said.
Wake up early and aim to start loading by 8 or 9 a.m. Pack your mattress and any remaining personal items. Load the truck in this order:
- Large furniture first
- Heavy boxes next
- Fragile and light boxes on top and last
After the truck is loaded, walk through every room. Open all cabinets, drawers and closets to make sure nothing is left behind. If you hired cleaners, confirm they have access to the home.
If you are traveling more than 500 miles, plan for an overnight stop. For shorter moves, try to load in the morning, break for lunch and arrive at the new home by early afternoon.
At the new home, decide in advance whether to stage all boxes in one central area or distribute them directly to their assigned rooms. Each approach has tradeoffs: A central staging area keeps the mess contained but requires moving boxes twice, while room-by-room distribution creates clutter in every space but speeds up unpacking.
"Sort into two categories: boxes to unpack sooner and boxes we're not going to need to unpack [first]," Fackler said.
Once boxes are in, set up the large furniture. Build the bed frame, position the couch and assemble the table.
"Unpack the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom first," Pfeiffer said. "Once those spaces are set up, you can function comfortably while working through the rest of the house. It helps you settle in faster and reduces stress."
Fackler echoed that advice.
"Focusing on unpacking your bedroom, your bathroom and I would say your kitchen — so that you can eat and rest and clean yourself," Fackler said.
As you organize, think beyond individual rooms.
"There's a lot that can go into this, but to keep it simple think in zones, not just rooms," Pfeiffer said. "Create categories and set up areas to store things in a way that's functional. Label everything so it's easy to maintain long term."
Not everything needs to happen on night one. Do what is necessary to sleep, eat and clean up, then give yourself a break. The remaining boxes can wait.