Prepping Your Home for an Organized Move (Without the Stress)
Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Northern Virginia NEAT, we specialize in home organization — but we also partner with trusted local moving companies to offer full-service move management. Our goal is simple: take one of life’s most chaotic events and turn it into a calm, organized experience.
Whether you're tackling it yourself or bringing in the pros, here are our top tips for prepping your current and future home to make the transition effortless.
Prepping at Your Current Home
Before you pack a single box, declutter with intention. It’s frustrating to carefully wrap and move something across town only to donate it the next week. Instead, take time to pull everything out of each space and categorize your items, it helps you visualize what you really own.
As a general rule:
Donate anything you haven’t used in the last year or that’s a duplicate.
Toss anything broken, worn out, or expired.
Keep only what you need and love in your new space.
Once you’ve narrowed things down, pack by destination — not just where things are now, but where they’ll go in your new home. Gaining a playroom? Pack those toys separately and clearly label the box “Playroom.” That way, unpacking becomes intuitive and efficient.
Pro Tip: Use bold, easy-to-read labels and place them in the same spot on each box so they’re visible at a glance.
Also, prep for your first night in your new place. In addition to an overnight bag for each family member, pack a clearly labeled essentials box to keep in your car. Include toilet paper, snacks, paper plates, chargers, and sleeping bags — anything you’ll want easy access to right away.
Prepping at Your New Home
Before the movers arrive, set the stage. Spend 30 minutes walking through your new home and post labels outside each room that match the box labels. Go the extra mile with painter’s tape on the floor or wall showing exactly where big furniture pieces should go.
If your movers don’t offer floor and doorway protection, be proactive and lay it down yourself to keep your new home pristine.
And don’t forget the basics:
Set up one bathroom with toilet paper, soap, a hand towel, and a small trash can.
Stock a small cooler with water or sports drinks.
Grab some donuts or order pizza. Fuel = happy movers.
Need Help? We’re Here.
If the thought of unpacking makes your head spin, let us step in. We’ll get you organized from day one — unpacked, sorted, and settled so your house feels like home from the start.
Happy Moving!
Xx,
The NEAT Team
SEE ALSO: Organizing Tips for a Clutter-Free Garage, Shed, and Patio This Summer
