Moving house wherever you live is stressful, but doing it in London can be a nightmare. We’ve heard tales of people trying to take futons on the bus, kitchenware on bicycles, not to mention making countless journeys with heavy boxes and bags on foot. We help an increasing number of Londoners move house each month and the house-moves among the Boxman team alone have been racking up over the last year, so all that shared knowledge means we’ve got it down to a fine art.

It’s not all about the lifting and shifting, of course. Having the right stuff with you in order to make that first cup of tea, or remembering to keep your toothbrush near the top is important as well. Here’s what we think you need to know to make your moving day run smoothly.

Gotta-have-it-bag

This is what you’ll absolutely need to have on hand as you unlock the door to your new place. No faffing about looking through boxes for your phone charger, and as tempting as it might be, try not to fill it up too much either. Your back will be grateful!

• Toothbrush and toothpaste or toiletry bag
• Laptop/Tablet
• Chargers
• List of important numbers
• Local takeaway number
• Cash
• Snack bar/ treat
• Soap
• Loo roll
• Milk for tea/ coffee (we put it in this bag so you don’t forget about it. Warm, sour milk = bad move)
• Bottle of water

Unpack-first-and-be-forever-grateful-box

Nothing screams Best Mover Ever like a well organised unpack ‘first’ box. We’ve listed the things we think are crucial but yours may well be different. Let us know if you think we’ve missed anything.

• Spare clothes + moving = sweat! You’ll want at least one spare t-shirt and some slouch-about-the-house type trousers (well, we always do)
• Kettle and tea (or coffee! Always coffee! - Ed)
• Towel – it’s very likely you’ll want to wash before you’ve unpacked everything
• Bin bags – you will throw things away, so having these to hand will make your life infinitely easier
• Salt and pepper – you’d be amazed how easily these get lost in the shuffle
• Travel speakers (if you have them) – moving is much more fun with music
• A couple of plates, mugs, and just enough cutlery
• Dish soap
• Bed sheets
• All-purpose spray and a few Jay cloths
• Duvet and pillows – these probably won’t fit in the same box but should be in a clearly labelled box of their own

How to move without pulling all your hair out

Step 1: Get everything in! Don’t worry too much about furniture being in the exact right spot, just try to get things roughly in the rooms you want them (it helps if you’ve packed and labelled as such).

Step 2: Unpack your ‘gotta have it’ bag.

Step 3: Unpack your ‘forever grateful’ box and blast some tunes.

**Optional tea break (we recommend a few of these).

Step 4: Clean/ hoover if it’s needed.

Step 5: Move furniture where you want it, place any rugs that you want under tables.

Step 6: The Kitchen

• Take good measure of the storage spaces and give at least a minutes’ thought to where things naturally should go – why rush and have to resort the kitchen a week down the line?
• Crockery
• Pots and pans
• Spices and dried goods
• Canned goods and alcohol

Step 7: The Bedroom(s)

• Make the bed if you haven’t already (then, if it all gets too much you can just take a nap)
• Check the drawers and wardrobes for hidden treasure (and, if not treasure, then stuff that shouldn’t be there)
• Put away clothes and shoes
• Find a home for all those other bedroom-based bits and bobs

Step 8: The Living Room

• Set up the TV, electronics, and any lamps
• Store any personal items that have not yet found a home
• Decorate with throws, pillows, and anything else you have

Step 9: Decorate the walls and surfaces with clocks, paintings, plants and whatever else takes your fancy.

Step 10: Put your feet up and enjoy your fabulous new digs.

Didn’t know Boxman were able to help with moving day stuffs? Well, there you are, then! We’re obviously biased, but we think we’re a brilliant moving day option – want to find out more? Give us a call. We like to chat.