Moving to a new house has to be up there with job interviews and weddings as one of life’s most stressful experiences. For all three, a bit of forethought goes a long way towards minimising the pressure on the big day. To help you out we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 tips to guarantee a stress-free move, so get your boxes ready!

1. Make a checklist

As any seasoned organiser will know, creating a checklist is the easiest way to keep yourself on track during a hefty task. Start making a list of all the smaller tasks that need to be done before moving day, in addition to making a checklist of the rooms you need to pack. Checklists are a great way to see how much you have left to do and crossing items off is surprisingly satisfying (is this a sign of getting old?). Stick it on your fridge or computer to keep it front of mind.

2. Marie Condo your belongings

Whether you’re familiar with the Netflix show or not, Marie Condo-ing your belongings or more simply, ​decluttering​ , will help ensure a stress-free move. The less you have, the less there is to pack, store, load on and off trucks and finally, unpack. Donate items to charity or make a few extra dollars by selling on second-hand marketplaces.

3. Organise your packing necessities

Boxes, tape guns, bubble wrap and old newspapers aren’t always so easy to find at the last minute. Without quality boxes, you risk moving day blowouts and damaged belongings. The same goes for bubble wrap and newspapers. As these are a necessity for packaging your more delicate items. A handy tip for saving money and minimising boxes is using sheets and towels to wrap fragile items instead of tucking linen away in a separate box. There’s nothing like the sound of great-grandma Mabel’s china shattering to ruin your chances of a stress-free move.

4. Book a quality removalist

If you’re stuck on where to source packing utensils, booking a quality removalist that offers boxes as well can help cross two items off your checklist. The problem is, with so many to choose from, simply typing ‘house removals’ into Google is likely to leave you more confused than when you began. When choosing a removalist there’s more than just price to consider, but also the quality of the service. Using a platform like ​Muval​ allows you to find a reputable removalist in your area without the stress of sifting through countless Google results.

5. Pack early

Procrastinators — this one’s for you! Leaving your packing until the night before is sure to send you into a frenzy. Packing early gives you sufficient time to ensure everything is packed securely. You may realise you simply have too many items for your new home and need to source additional storage or have to acquire extra boxes. Whatever the situation, packing thoroughly and early lets you streamline the moving day process and maximise efficiency.

6. Label, label, label

We can’t say it any more clearly, label clearly as you go! Come time for the removalists to unpack the truck this will save everyone a lot of headaches.

7. Separate your essentials

If you’ve headed our advice and packed early, make sure to pack a separate suitcase with all your essentials. Toothbrush and toothpaste, pyjamas, towels and a phone charger are usually top of the list. After a non-stop day the last thing you’ll feel like doing is searching through boxes before a late-night shower, that is if you have water…

8. Organise utilities

Although even the word ‘utilities’ is as boring as the task, having these set up before the move gets you one step closer to a stress-free moving day. While you may be happy to wait a few days for internet access, there’s nothing worse than walking through your new front door to find you have no electricity or water.

9. Take your time to say goodbye

Whether it was a short or long-term home, there’s always an element of nostalgia when you leave. Take a moment to appreciate the life you lived within the walls. Say your farewells and get excited for the next chapter of your life!

10. Order pizza for dinner

There’s nothing better to signal the end of the moving day like eating pizza on the floor. Thin and crispy or woodfired, enjoy an easy meal before settling in for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

If you follow these 10 tried and tested tips, you’ll be sure to enjoy a stress-free moving day.