One of our favorite reasons to help clients is when they're experiencing big life changes. This family was going through two life-changing events at the same time: moving and having a baby. The pregnant mama contacted us when she was only a few weeks from giving birth. They were a military family with an active toddler and moving up from the Fayetteville area. Their possessions were being moved from two storage units. Having limited time (and energy!) to unpack herself, the mom wanted help with the most utilized areas of the home, including the kitchen, pantry, 3 bathrooms, and her daughter's closet. She wanted us to add products and liked the uniform "Container Store" look. Our Process & Project Launch We were able to see the home before the move-in date to take measurements and do product planning. We sent our signature pantry/kitchen product quiz to the mom to get a sense of her style. Then, we created the product list for her to take a glance at and approve. We come prepared and always like to overbuy since we do problem-solving in the moment to see what works best in a space. Then, we return unused products and only invoice the client for what is used. One challenge we came across since the home was a new build, was that the closing date kept getting pushed back, as they very often do with new construction. We were originally planning on unpacking their home early to mid-December. Our organizers were dedicated and committed to moving this family in in time for the holidays! We ended up having a team of 3 organizers there on December 22nd and 23rd. They divided and conquered, working like little Christmas elves to organize, bring in new product, and label everything with function and precision. What a sigh of relief it was to our clients to be moved in and organized just in time for the festivities. Since the family's possessions had been in storage for quite some time, there was a lot of decluttering. They learned to live without many of the items stored away in boxes. Luckily, we take all donations for our clients, so once they made the decision to let it go, we hauled it away for them. For moving and unpacking tips, read 5 Tips for a Seamless Packing & Unpacking Experience That You Don’t Want to Miss Home Organizing RevealedKitchen drawers had bamboo organizers and glasses and dishes were strategically placed near the dishwasher for easy put-away. The pantry looked stunning while also being maintainable, with clearly labeled baskets and gleaming white can shelves. The bathroom drawers were divided into like items with clear organizers, and under the sink, vertical space was utilized with stacking drawers. The toddler girl's closet had matching velvet hangers for her adorable clothing as well as labeled baskets on the shelf above. The family was so happy with their organized and ready to live in home. The pregnant mom didn't have to spend weeks unpacking while chasing around her toddler. What a relief! Thank you for joining us on this unpacking journey! We love helping clients unpack and feel at home as quickly as possible in their new space.
Do you have an upcoming move and are wondering what it's like to work with a professional organizer? Download our organizing guide. Cheers, Sandi
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No one loves to move. Some surveys say it's the most stressful life event of all. But moving doesn't have to be a dreaded, horrible experience. What you need is a support system and team to help you through. We deal with moves every day, and love helping our clients have a less stressed and more pleasant experience. Read ahead for our five tips to a better move. Tip #1: Embrace a Generous Purge for a Lighter LifestyleBefore moving is the best time to declutter and let go of what no longer serves you. It may seem like there's too much going on, but you'll be so happy you did it before packing up your whole home. You only realize how much stuff you have once you have to put it in a box. When you declutter first, you'll have less stuff to pack, less to pay to move, and less to find a place in your new home. You should start decluttering ideally a few months before the big move day. We recommend that professionals help you declutter to keep you motivated and efficient (read our 3 reasons to hire an organizer to help you declutter here). Think about how good it will feel to move into your new home with only items that you actually use and love. Your team of organizers can quickly unpack and organize your new home for success without having to spend hours decluttering things. You'll have enough to do in your new home without deciding how many pairs of shoes to keep. Tip #2: Prep Thoughtfully to Expedite the Process There are a few things you can do to help us do our job of packing your home more smoothly and quickly.
Tip #3: Prevent Some Packing to Streamline Your LifeFind a spot for a "no pack" zone. This can be a closet, room, bathroom, etc. Label it as such so the movers know, too. They are essentials you'll need until you're settled in your new space. Think of it like packing for a mini vacation that's less fun and has no sightseeing. You'll likely bring these “no pack” items in the car with you. You can also use sticky notes to label items or areas “no pack,” like your toiletries on the bathroom counter. We can also help with this during the packing process if you prefer! Here are some common items you might want in your "no pack zone":
Tip #4: Plan Strategically to Guide Our UnpackingThe more info we get about your new home, the better we can pack and plan the unpacking accordingly. We would like to know what will be changing in your new home so that we can fill boxes for the rooms they'll go in in your new home, not where they are currently. For example, your kids' toys may be currently in their bedrooms (and scattered throughout the house), but there will be a playroom in the new home where you'd like the toys. We would want to label and pack toys as “playroom” so the movers can put them in your new playroom. You don't want boxes of toys in their new bedrooms that don't belong there, and then you're stuck hauling boxes around after the movers leave. Before unpacking, we plan with clients about what space to unpack first. We recommend unpacking the kitchen first so you can return to eating normally as soon as possible. This will make you feel more at home since you eat multiple times daily and need energy to get settled! After that, we usually do bedroom closets and then bathrooms. These are the areas that will make you feel most at home by being able to get dressed and ready in the morning. Then come other areas like playrooms, bedrooms, offices, living rooms, laundry rooms, and garages. We can make a game plan based on your priorities. Tip #5: Pay for Pros to Give You Peace of Mind At Hello Simplified, we make moving easier. We declutter with you before the move, we pack your items with the utmost care and in an organized and planned-out fashion, and we unpack and organize your new home with speed, beauty, and function. Also, you'll still need a way to get your items from Point A to Point B. Please don't just hire the cheapest movers, as tempting as it can be. There can be a huge difference between companies because their staff may not be thoroughly trained, and they pack your items into huge semi-trucks with someone else's home. I've seen horror stories where things take weeks to arrive at the new home or the entire home's contents are lost. You want movers who can move your items the same day, take meticulous care wrapping and handling all furniture and boxes, and know how to set up your furniture accurately. I learned the hard way when I was young and hired cheap movers. I went to lie down on my bed the first night in my new home, and it collapsed under me. The movers had no idea how to put my bed together, and instead of telling me, they just screwed a few things together and placed the mattress on top. Learn from my mistake and give yourself the gift of great movers. A little planning goes a long way in helping your move to be less stressful and happen smoothly and efficiently. Bringing in the pros will take a huge burden off of you. We'd love to help with all your decluttering, packing, and unpacking needs. You don't have to do this alone, and asking for help is ok. You'll feel so relieved once you know we've got your move covered.
If you're overwhelmed with the idea of moving, download our organizing guide to learn more about working with a professional organizer. Warmly, Sandi Did you know that moving is considered one of the most stressful life situations we go through? If you've ever moved before, you know there's truth in that. After figuring out the where, when, and how of moving from home to home, there's still the daunting part that haunts many homeowners…packing! Then after packing up an entire home full of your family's possessions, and moving, when you finally arrive at your new home, there still remains the task of unpacking. We've all been there - exhausted from moving and wishing we could snap our fingers and magically have all the scattered moving boxes unpacked and organized. If you've hired movers, they get the job halfway done by moving stuff from one location to the next. Some even say they can pack and unpack for you, but we are here to humbly brag and tell you why we are even better than moving companies for packing and unpacking your home. And why the next time you move, you need the Hello Simplified team of professional organizers! 1. We pack systematically and label boxes clearly.Moving companies that pack for you may go into a room, pack what's there in boxes, and label it broadly as the current space it's in. For instance, if you have a ton of books in the bedroom of your current home, they will pack those and label them "bedroom" - even if those books will be in the den in your new home. The random kids' toys under your living room sofa? They'll be tossed into the living room box! Then when you get to your new home, you're starting with mixed boxes of stuff that doesn't actually belong where it's placed. The last thing anyone wants to do after an exhausting move is unpack, sort and haul items around to different rooms. That's where we come in! We start your move off on the right foot. Our professional organizers will systematically pack your home, categorizing boxes and labeling them specifically and clearly (kitchen: everyday dishes, upstairs bathroom: kids' towels, vs. just kitchen, bathroom). We label boxes based on what room they'll go in in your NEW home. So movers know exactly where to place items, making for easy unpacking. With clearly labeled boxes you'll know what to prioritize when unpacking and you can easily find what you're searching for. 2. We help you declutter, take donations, and would NEVER pack trash or expired items.When you hire movers, they are there to do one thing - move. It's not uncommon for them to pack trash, expired food, and even broken items. Why pay to move things you will only toss on the other end of the process? That's why we also encourage decluttering before your move. We can help you go through your household items and ensure you're only packing what you want and need to pack. We even take care of hauling away your donations! 3. We don't just unpack boxes and leave; we organize and set up your home.While some movers will "unpack" by emptying the contents of boxes, they don't put things away. This leaves you, the new homeowner, with a mess to clean up. With school and work schedules and the sheer volume of boxes, setting up and organizing a new home can take weeks or even months. It's overwhelming, so you quickly throw items into kitchen cabinets without much thought, thinking you'll figure it out and move items later. But next thing you know, 5 years have gone by and items are still where you originally put them. However, with us, we unpack, put away, and organize for you quickly and efficiently in a thought-out manner using all our best practices and professional organizing knowledge. We can even make a custom product list for your space, do all the shopping, implementation of products and returns, so everything is 100% organized from start to finish. 4. We take the stress out of moving in and start you on the best foot possible.Can you picture how nice it would be to move into a new home without stressing about finding your kitchen utensils, clothing, or sifting through boxes? Instead, everything will be exactly where it needs to be, organized and ready for you to start enjoying your new space. It sounds like magic, right? But it's just what we do! We love to simplify life for our clients at Hello Simplified. Our goal is to lift the stress from your life. Our packing & unpacking services are one way we can help. Moves are often rushed and stressful, and there are a million and one things to figure out. Moving companies move your items in and then you're on your own. The last thing you want to consider is where to put those kitchen dishes - yet it's essential for your daily functionality. As professional organizers, we do this every day, and we'd be delighted to set up your home for you, so you’re organized and in love with your new home from the start. Ready to book your phone consultation with one of our expert organizers?
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About UsAt Hello Simplified, we specialize in organizing, decluttering, packing and unpacking services. Read through for tips on how we help our clients feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their busy lives and homes during major life changes. Archives
April 2024
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