Boydens - Life at Home | Winter 2022 - Issue 01

Real Homes boydens.co.uk 56 Declutter your belongings Decluttering is an essential (if uninspiring) task to undertake every now and then, but it’s even more important before moving house. Before even attempting to pack, you should decide what to sell, donate or throw out, remembering that, according to eBay, the average home in the UK has approximately £3,000 worth of unused items laying around which could be sold. By decluttering, you’ll also keep your house removal costs down as there’ll be fewer boxes to move and possibly earn extra money towards your move in the process. Book a removal company Once you’ve decluttered your personal belongings and have a rough idea of what you’ll be taking, you should book your removals company. You could attempt to do it yourself, but it would be a lot of added stress and time. The removal company will have many years’ experience of carefully packing, handling and loading delicate and heavy items, so they arrive safely at your new house. Pack the least used rooms first A good starting point will be rooms Moving home and items you use the least. A spare bedroom, garage or attic are usually easy places to start. Leave everyday items until the day before the move and keep any essentials items such as medication separately. Prepare a survival box Pack the things you use every day and night in a separate bag and keep this with you at all times. Items such as medicine, face cream, toothbrush, toilet roll, change of clothes, phone chargers etc will all come in handy (and don’t forget to pack the tea making items in an easy to identify box) – you’ll appreciate that on the day of the move! Arrange utilities early It’s important to set up your utilities such as council tax, gas and home insurance early when moving house. Not only will this save you a lot of stress once you’re moved in, but you will have more time to settle in and relax in your new home. Take photos Photograph the wires at the back of your television or any other electronic set-ups. This is a great way to keep track of what goes where when you’re putting everything back together in your new house, and you’ll certainly appreciate that later. Mirrors and Glass Frames • Tape an ‘x’ onto the glass using packing tape to prevent shattering • Use corner protectors to guard edges from damage • Cover the surface with a layer of cardboard • Keep mirrors and glass upright with no items stacked during transit Electronics • Back up your important files and documents • Use bubble wrap, blankets and towels for added protection • Remove any temperature- sensitive items from inside your possessions Rugs & Carpets • Clean the rug before you start to pack it up • Roll and tie each end with twine or string to secure it • Don’t wrap your area rug in plastic as this will cause mould and mildew • Wrap the rug in sheets of thick paper and tape it closed Furniture • Dismantle furniture if it can be easily put back together • Cover furniture with protective covers or blankets for the move • Wrap tape or plastic wrap around the covers to further secure the item • Take off chair/sofa covers and pillows and pack them separately in plastic covers TOP TIPS FOR PACKING

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA4ODM=