Moving Guide: The Perks of Downsizing and Storage

Moving can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be! By decluttering, you can make your transition to the new home much smoother and organized. Moving can be a significant stressor, and it’s important to pack wisely to make your transit to the new home as smooth as possible. By bringing only what you truly need and use, you can save on moving costs and reduce stress. Using a public storage facility can also help keep your belongings organized and accessible without overcrowding your new home. It is also useful to keep heavy or fragile items together to move at a later time, which can free up space for more items that may need attention at the time. 

Decluttering Before the Big Move

It is important to declutter before packing to make it easier to organize and filter out important items from items that are taking up space. By donating, selling or throwing away items that do not serve purpose, you can simplify your packing journey. It is a good rule of thumb to donate or sell clothing that has not been worn in the last two years. Sometimes it's easy to hold onto old sentimental items such as kids board games and toys, but they can take up a lot of space and it is also a great way to pay forward all of the great memories and times with those items. Donating can help less fortunate families experience those same happy memories with the same items. 

Before you start packing, take the time to declutter. Donate, sell, or throw away items that no longer serve a purpose. Old clothing, toys, board games, and unused household items can often find new life with someone in need. By proactively making space, it allows for more organization and the ability to feel good about donating to charity. 

It can not only make packing easier, but it aids in reducing stress! By conserving energy for packing and moving important items, it can lead not only to more organization, but to a smoother transition to your new home. 

Decluttering can also bring upon a financial benefit! By selling items that no longer serve purpose in the home, or are taking up valuable space, you can make some extra money to help cover moving expenses! Great ways to sell items are through garage sales, online servers such as Offer Up, Craigslist and even on NextDoor. 

Decluttering also makes unpacking much easier. When you move only the items that are necessary or meaningful, it’s easier to set up your new space in a way that feels intentional and organized. You’ll have fewer things to find a place for, leading to a less overwhelming experience in your new home, and can help to adopt a minimalist lifestyle.

Benefits of Self-Storage

The benefits of self storage are very practical. Whether you have a long distance move or close by, keeping your belongings in a localized and affordable self storage space can ease moving anxiety and save money on moving costs. 

If you have a hectic move ahead of you, it can be a great asset to invest in a storage unit. It can ease anxiety but ensuring you have a safe and secure place for your belongings, you can also make multiple trips to bring your belongings in batches. For example: storing your bulky furniture and large wall art while you prioritize other belongings in your move such as beds and the refrigerator. By bringing your belongings to the new home in stages, this can make moving much more manageable. 

Also, sentimental items can be stored until you have space in your home, or have the ability to transport fragile items.

Self storage units at Arco’s Self Storage can be customized to fit your needs. For instance, if you have fragile items that need to be at a certain temperature you can find a unit that supports climate control and humidity control! It is a great alternative to trying to maintain those conditions with moving companies or by yourself during a long transit.

What to Bring When Moving

Most Important

Personal Documents: Keep essential documents, such as ID, banking information, and medical records. Make sure to keep these secure and accessible during transit.

Bedroom Essentials

Bedding: Bring your favorite sheets, blankets, and pillows. These not only provide comfort but also add a personal touch to your new space.

Personal Items: Bring photo albums and meaningful mementos such as scrapbooks to help make your new house feel like home.

Chargers: Don’t forget electronic chargers and wires for your devices, make sure all devices are charged and able to be charged during the move.

Kitchen Essentials

• Basic Cookware: Pack a few pots, pans, and utensils. You can always add more later. It will also be beneficial to have less bulky and heavy cookware while in the moving process.
• Kids’ Items: If you have children, bring their plates and utensils, along with some snacks for the journey. It is also important to keep them stimulated with games, electronics and books to keep them entertained.
• First Aid Kit: Always handy for emergencies and important to keep close by.

Cleaning Supplies

• For Longer Moves: A container of disinfectant wipes, trash bags, and hand sanitizer will suffice. More cleaning supplies can be bought upon arrival to the new apartment. 
• For Shorter Moves: If there is enough space, bring a more extensive cleaning kit, including disinfectant wipes, bleach, and kitchen towels. But always remember, these can be bought locally at any point. 

Snacks and Beverages

Energy Snacks: Pack easy-to-eat snacks and caffeine drinks such as coffee and sports drinks to keep you energized during the move. It can be beneficial when traveling through less dense areas where there are less convenience stores off

What Not to Bring

• Old Bathroom Items: Discard old shampoo, conditioner, loofahs, and toothbrushes. Bring only new, sealed items, this will help with maintaining cleanliness and avoids spillage. If these items can be bought country-wide it's wise to purchase them at the destination opposed to bringing on the journey.
• Unused Clothing: Leave behind any clothes that you haven’t worn or thought about in the last year. It's great to hand down these articles, or to donate them to local charities. 
• Outdated Entertainment: Donate old board games, DVDs, and CDs that you no longer use. Save this space for important items during the move or put them into a self- storage facility that you can access at a later date.
• Plants: Many moving companies don’t allow plants, and they can also become messy during transport. Many storage units also do not allow plants as they attract pests. Consider giving them to friends or family instead.
• Heavy Gym Equipment: Avoid bulky items that can take up unnecessary space. Put equipment into a storage unit or ship it beforehand to the new home destination.
• Fragile Items: Leave behind extra light bulbs and fragile items that may break during the move. If sentimental items are fragile, consider putting them into self storage to keep them safe until there is the resources to ship delicate items. 
• Excess Food: Don’t bring excess dry goods or beverages that can easily be purchased at your new location. Donate these items to friends and family, or consider taking them to a local soup kitchens to help out those who can not afford food. 

Book a Storage Unit with Arco's!

It is important to reduce the amount of unnecessary items brought over to the new home, by decluttering first and utilizing self storage proactively declutter the home, keep everything organized, and reduce stress. If you can not transport everything in one go, it's a great idea to utilize a local and affordable self storage facility to keep your belongings safe; while you focus on other aspects of your transition to a new home. It is also a good way to proactively declutter the home and keep everything organized.

Self storage is also beneficial because you can retrieve your belongings when you’re ready, without the worry of them getting broken during transit. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to pack and unpack at your own pace!

Check out our self storage units and sizes guide to find the perfect unit for you!