Moving residences can be a busy time, as you have to deal with everything from contracts to cutlery and still continue with everyday life! There are ways however to make this transition easier and the first golden rule is to be organized. It`s almost impossible to be too organized actually when moving out of your downtown Chicago condo. Instead, embrace this planning as it will pay back dividends both during the move and when you reach your dream accommodation.

Make an inventory of all your possessions on your computer or in a dedicated file or notebook. Avoid scribbling things down on different pieces of paper as inevitably something will be lost or overlooked. Make a list for each room with everything that needs packing and remember to include those commonly forgotten items such as rugs and lampshades. Then create a timetable for packing and anything you will need for this, including boxes, bubble wrap, tape and secure padding for delicate items. It is advantageous to over-estimate the time you will need, as this will keep you from being underprepared, rushing and feeling flustered.

Use colored labels or stickers on the boxes to correspond to each room. Some people even find they veer towards appropriate color choices subconsciously and select blue for the bathroom and green for the garden! This shows how our brain compartmentalizes things naturally and wants to feel in control. So use colored labels for rooms and number each box, writing down the contents on your spreadsheet or in your notebook. When moving into a new home there is so much to organize but life continues with work and school, so you may not unpack everything straight away. The ability to look down your list and find the appropriate box for what you need at that moment will come in extremely handy.

Keep partner items together, such as plates and cups and always keep cleaning equipment separate from other items, so in the highly unlikely event that there is a leak in transit the substances do not contaminate anything else. You can purchase special types of wrapping and also use items you will be taking anyway, so bedding can be wrapped around ornaments to help keep these safe on the journey. It`s a very common mistake to overfill boxes which are then too heavy to lift or are cumbersome, so ensure you have an adequate supply of packaging. Most people are surprised for example as to how heavy a box of books can become very quickly, but you wish to move home, not stay in hospital, so protect your back by considering the weight of your packages before you attempt to lift them. Some things of course are best done by professionals, so hiring a professional and reputable moving company will ensure your prized possessions and you yourself, will reach your new home in excellent condition!