Moving homes can be an exciting new chapter in your life, but let’s be honest – it can also be seriously overwhelming. From packing, to transit, to unpacking in an unfamiliar space, the whole process can feel chaotic, leaving you stressed out and drained.
The good news? With a few savvy tricks, you can streamline your move and make settling into your new space a much more comfortable experience. David Jacobs, Regional Sales Manager for the Rawson Property Group, offers his expert insights to help you move with ease.
1. Take measurements early on
One of the most common frustrations people face after moving is realising their furniture doesn’t fit the way they had hoped. Whether it’s your sofa being too big for the living room or the dining table crowding your kitchen, these issues can be avoided with a bit of pre-move planning.
“Take detailed measurements of your new home before moving,” advises Jacobs. “This will help you map out exactly where each piece of furniture should go, making it easier to direct your movers with confidence and avoid any disappointment on moving day.”
Make sure to measure window heights and widths as well, so you know whether your existing curtains will work, or if you need new ones. This little step can make a real difference to your comfort in your first few days in the new space.
2. Label boxes for easy unpacking
It’s tempting to just throw things into boxes, thinking you’ll sort it all out later. Spoiler alert: “later” often translates to weeks of living out of boxes searching for things you know you packed, but can’t remember where. Jacobs suggests avoiding this by implementing a smart labelling system.
“Label each box not just with its contents, but also with the room it belongs to,” he says. “You’ll thank yourself when movers or friends helping you are able to put everything in its rightful place without asking you constantly where things go.”
For extra efficiency, Jacobs says some people even use colour-coded labels for different rooms, making it effortless to tell which boxes belong where.
3. Pack in reverse order
One of the most underrated hacks to make unpacking a breeze is to pack reverse order. Jacobs explains this as packing the items you’ll need first at the top of each box and the ones you’ll need last at the bottom. This way, you can unpack your essentials without digging through non-essentials first.
“For example, if you’re packing up the kitchen, ensure that the things you’ll need right away – like plates and cutlery – are easily accessible” says Jacobs. “This method makes it much simpler to get your home functional quickly.”
4. Set daily targets
One of the biggest stressors of moving is trying to do everything at once. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to pack up your entire home in a weekend. Instead, Jacobs recommends spreading out the workload by setting daily packing targets.
“Focus on one room at a time,” he says. “Set yourself a goal to pack up one room each day in the week leading up to your move. This way, you’re breaking the process down into manageable tasks, and the packing won’t feel nearly as overwhelming.”
5. Clean as you pack
Cleaning while you pack serves two purposes: first, it prevents you from taking unnecessary clutter to your new home; second, it leaves your old space in good condition, saving you from an additional cleanup on moving day.
“Declutter as you go,” Jacobs advises. “As you’re packing up each room, clean the area and get rid of things you no longer need. This way, when you finally close that door for the last time, you won’t have to look back.”
6. Pack an “essentials box”
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home, tired after a long day of moving, only to realise you don’t know where your toothbrush is. That’s why it’s essential to pack a “first-night” box with all your must-haves.
“Make sure you have a box with essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, basic kitchen supplies, and important documents,” says Jacobs. “Label it clearly and keep it close during the move so it’s the first thing you unpack.”
7. Pre-clean your new home
Cleaning your new space before moving in, especially if it’s been vacant for a while, will save you the trouble of having to clean around boxes and furniture later.
“A fresh start in a clean space can help make your new house feel like home right away,” Jacobs says. “If possible, take a day before the big move to do a thorough cleaning, or consider hiring a cleaning service to make the job quicker and more effective.”
8. Manage cable chaos
Untangling a jumble of cables can be a nightmare, especially when you’re trying to set up your TV or computer in your new home. Jacobs recommends avoiding this this by wrapping cables neatly and labelling them before you pack. “Wrap cables in Velcro strips or zip ties and label each one so you know exactly which cord belongs to which device,” he says. “It’s a small step that will make setting up electronics much less frustrating.”
9. Plan for pets and kids
If you have pets or young children, moving day can be especially stressful. Jacobs highly recommends arranging for someone to watch them on the day of the move so you can focus on getting settled without distractions. You’ll be more productive and less stressed knowing they’re safe and cared for.
10. Celebrate your new space!
Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the process! Moving into a new home is a significant milestone, so once the hard work is over, celebrate! “Whether it’s having a small housewarming party or simply ordering in your favourite takeout, take the time to appreciate your fresh start,” says Jacobs.
Street Squirrel
Tshego Sefolo and Londeka Shezi from Agile Capital – In 2015, after 13 years in the investment industry, Tshego Sefolo went to the market to raise hundreds of millions to launch his own private equity firm, Agile Capital. It took him and his business partner Londeka Shezi, less than a year to secure the investment, for not one, but two private equity firms. Londeka Shezi, is a director at Agile Capital, but her journey started when she completed her articles with Pricewaterhouse Coopers in 2009. She then joined Standard Bank where she worked in the Leverage and Acquisitions team, and went on to become a senior associate at Zico Group.