Take the stress out of moving with these expert tips for packing, unpacking, and more

Step 1: Think outside the boxes

You want to get sturdy moving boxes (not the boxes in the recycle pile at your grocery store), clean bubble wrap, and quality packing tape. If you’re too busy to hunt for these essentials, a good resource is the Bed Bath & Beyond Moving Must-Haves list. You can get everything you’ll need in one swoop, and their Movers portal even lets you create interactive shopping lists so you won’t forget anything — good for avoiding that panic attack on moving day. While you’re there, you can also pick up a few basics for your new home, like a sparkling clean trash can and a welcome mat, items that can make you feel at home in your new space more quickly.

Step 2: Make the right moves

“The most important moving strategy is to have a plan before you start packing,” Halton says. As soon as you know your destination, she suggests you sit down with a floorplan of your current home and the new house and work out what will go where. Then, if there are items that you won't be able to fit into your new place, declutter before your move. The last thing you want is to arrive in your new digs with unnecessary baggage.

Step 3: Pack it up right

Halton says it’s always good to start packing the least-used things first and, most importantly, to label every single box. “Think ahead and label all of your boxes with your new home rooms, not the rooms in your old place,” she says. She also points out that you’ll want to pack the heavier items on the bottom. Light things like the clothes in your closet can stay on their hangars and go on the top of each box.

Step 4: Chill out on moving day

The key to sailing through moving day is to stay organized. “The more you feel like moving day is under your control, the easier it will be to relax,” Halton says. To help keep the vibes calm, Halton suggests packing a moving-day box with all the basics you’ll need for the next 24 hours. Your box could include things like a set of plates and cutlery, a coffee maker, coffee mug, snacks, pet food, towels, all of your chargers, and bedding for night one.

Step 5: Unpack like a pro

You’re standing in your new kitchen surrounded by 30 identical-looking boxes with the word ‘kitchen’ written on them. Which box do you tackle first? “In addition to labeling each box by room, it’s also worth sub-labeling them as ‘important’ or ‘less important,’ so that you know which ones to open first,” Halton says. She also points out that you want to unpack the things you use most frequently first, like kitchen and bathroom essentials, and you want to unpack one room at a time. “Take your own sweet time with the unpacking process,” Halton says. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ve just arrived.”