Moving house is often considered one of life’s most stressful events. With a house full of furniture to move, paperwork to organise and countless belongings to pack, it’s easy for things to become overwhelming.
The good news is that moving to a new home doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right preparation, you can stay organised and avoid unnecessary stress. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive moving house guide, with practical moving timelines, packing hacks for storage, and expert tips on using self storage throughout your move.
Where to store stuff when moving house?
There are several ways to store your belongings when moving house, from self storage units to temporarily storing items with family and friends. The right option will depend on how much space you need, how long you’ll need storage for and your budget. To help you decide, we’ve compared some of the most popular storage solutions for people moving to a new home.
Why rent storage space when moving house?
It’s not always possible to move all your furniture and belongings in a single day, and chain buying doesn’t allow you to leave anything behind to collect later. Because of this, many people use self storage solutions when moving house. Moving your items into storage can help with many aspects of a move, such as:
Property chain delays
If you’re buying and selling as part of a chain, you’ll need to be out of your old home and into your new one on the same day. If your new home isn’t empty yet, if you can’t collect the keys on time, or if your removal van breaks down, you’ll need somewhere secure to put your belongings overnight.
Completion date gaps
When you buy a new build home, your property may not be built yet when you exchange contracts. It can be helpful to have somewhere to put your belongings if construction is delayed, especially if you’re selling your old house in the meantime.
Pre-move renovations
Before you set up in your brand new home, you may need to carry out renovations or repairs. Many people choose to place their belongings in storage and stay elsewhere for a few days while work is completed to protect furniture, soft furnishings and personal belongings from dust, paint and accident damage.
Decluttering before a house sale
When you sell your home, estate agents will often take photos of the interior for potential buyers to view. That’s why it’s helpful to move some belongings into storage, reducing clutter and helping your home look as tidy and spacious as possible.
Downsizing for a smaller home
If you’re a retiree or empty nester moving to a smaller home, you may need to downsize your belongings. Storage can hold your ‘keep’ pile during the move or provide a convenient place to store items while you sell them over time.
Spreading out the packing process
The more crowded your home becomes with boxes, the harder packing can feel. A storage unit allows you to move packed boxes out of the house as you go, giving you more space to organise and pack the remaining items.
How to choose the right storage unit size when moving house
One of our top house moving house tips is to choose the right storage unit size from the start. If your unit is too small, you may need to move your belongings into a larger space. If it’s too large, you could end up paying for storage you don’t need.
Here are some common unit sizes people use when moving house. To find out which unit is best for you, our storage calculator will help you to gauge how much space you’ll need.
Moving house timeline: Everything to do before moving day
Following a moving house checklist is one of the best ways to stay organised throughout your move. It helps you plan ahead, keep track of important tasks, and avoid last-minute surprises. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a moving house timeline with practical tips on what to do, and when to do it, in the weeks leading up to your move.
6 – 8 weeks before moving house
To avoid a last-minute rush, it’s best to start preparing around two months before moving day.
- Start decluttering: Sort your belongings into what to keep, donate, sell, or dispose of.
- Take inventory: Make a list of everything you’re taking with you.
- Get quotes: If you’re planning to use self storage, start comparing quotes as early as possible.
- Book a removal company: If you’re moving belongings between homes or into storage, booking early can help you secure your preferred date and a better price.
- Arrange packing supplies: Order packing materials and storage boxes so you have everything you need before packing begins.
- Notify key contacts: Let the local council, schools, friends, and family know about your move.
1 month before moving house
By now, the packing process should be well underway. Here are some practical packing tips to help keep your move organised and on track.
- Pack non-essentials: Start boxing up items you don’t use every day, working room by room.
- Arrange storage: Set up your storage unit so you can begin moving furniture and boxes in gradually.
- Inform utility companies: Tell your water, electricity, and broadband suppliers when you’re moving.
- Set up new services: Arrange utilities and broadband for your new home.
2 weeks before moving house
At this stage, it’s all about final preparations.
- Confirm dates: Check in with your removal company and confirm all arrangements.
- Use up perishables: Start working through food in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards.
- Check in with your family: Moving can be stressful, especially for children, so make time to talk and spend time together.
1 week before moving house
With one week left, it’s time to consider your moving day arrangements.
- Prepare your suitcases: Clothes and overnight bags should be packed into suitcases in case your removal company is delayed.
- Pack everyday items: Gradually box up the last of your regularly used belongings.
- Change your address: Update subscriptions, bills, and important accounts.
- Fill your storage unit: Make sure that your belongings are in storage, as you may not have time to transport more boxes on moving day.
Moving day
Moving day can feel hectic, but a little preparation goes a long way towards keeping things on track.
- Pack the final essentials: Pack your toothbrush, kettle, frying pan and any other items you’ve been using until now.
- Load your car: Before the removal company arrives, load your car with suitcases, valuables, important documents, and anything you’ll need straight away.
- Take meter readings: Record final readings from your gas and electric meter, and send them to your old utility company.
- Do a final walkthrough: Check every room, cupboard, drawer, and storage space for anything left behind. Make sure lights, taps, and appliances are switched off.
- Settle into your new home: Collect the keys, unload the essentials, and put the kettle on for a well-earned cup of tea.
For house moving tips from moving and renovation experts, check our our downloadable guide today.
Packing essentials checklist for moving house
Having the right packing supplies on hand before you start can make the moving process much easier. While the exact materials you’ll need will depend on the size of your move and the items you’re packing, we recommend having the following essentials ready:
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic boxes
- Parcel tape
- Scissors
- Packing peanuts
- Box labels
- Permanent markers
Wondering where to get large cardboard boxes for moving house? You can purchase cardboard boxes, packing materials, and other moving supplies from any of our self storage locations across London, making it easy to pick up everything you need in one place before moving day.
Top tips for storing items during a house move
Packing up an entire home can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve lived there for years. The key is to break the process down into smaller, more manageable tasks and start earlier than you think you need to. To help make packing easier, we’ve put together some practical moving house packing tips and hacks to keep you organised throughout your move.
- Hire temporary storage early
Moving house is much easier when you have extra space. A self storage unit gives you somewhere to keep your belongings before, during, and after moving day, helping to reduce clutter and take some of the pressure off the move. To give yourself plenty of time to prepare, consider booking your storage unit 6-8 weeks before moving day. - Label boxes clearly
Before you start packing, decide on a simple labelling system. Group similar items together and label each box with both the room it belongs in and a brief description of its contents. This will make unpacking much easier. - Pack in order of priority
When it’s time for the movers to arrive, stack boxes according to when you’ll need them. Less important items can be loaded first, while essentials should be packed last so they’re easy to access when you arrive at your new home. - Keep valuables close
Important items like jewellery, electronics and money should stay with you wherever possible. Avoid packing them with everything else, and whenever possible, put them in your own car and transport them yourself for added peace of mind. - Create a simple inventory list
Keep a record of what’s in storage and where it’s located within your unit. This can save a lot of time if you need to retrieve something during your move.
Self storage do’s and don’t for moving house
Whether you’re dealing with a chain delay, downsizing, renovating, or simply need extra space during your move, our storage units across London can help make moving house simpler and less stressful. Get in touch with our team for a personalised quote today.