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How to get organized for a move.

Moving is a fact of life. We move out of our parents' home, out of dorm rooms, out of first apartments, then out of homes as we change cities and jobs.

The process is rarely fun. Yet there are ways to get organized and prepare that can ease some of the frustration. Here are more "moving" ideas.

MOVING FAQs

Q. How can I organize myself for moving?

Get a notebook and write down the contents of every numbered box. Also, color code the boxes with stickers to help sort out their locations in the new house. Read more helpful suggestions and tips in "Twelve Terrific Moving Tips".

Q. I don't have time to go hunting for boxes, packing paper and other materials. Can't someone bring them to me?

You can order most everything you'll need from Internet sources. See this page for moving supplies.

Q. We're selling our home and a neighbor told me I might want to have it "staged". What is that?

Basically, home staging is making your home look its very best. Sometimes that means packing up unneeded items, decluttering, and a thorough cleaning. Or, it can mean rearranging the furniture, setting up vignettes, and staging the home with props (plants and accessories) just as in a model home display. Learn more about home staging here.

Q. I bought a new house and have an overlap of three weeks before I have to be out of my old one. What projects can I do before the movers show up?

You are fortunate to have the time. Use it to work on some of the projects that are easier to do in an empty house. See this article for ideas on what to do before you move in.

Q. We move a lot and the spaces are always different. How can I choose furniture that will look good in a variety of rooms?

You want pieces that will offer multi-functionaity. In addition, smaller pieces may be not only easier to move but will fit into tighter spaces. One of our favorite versatile pieces is a chest of drawers or one of the items in the feature "15 Uses For...". Here's a quick how-to with tips on choosing versatile furniture. Also see this article about versatile pieces for a child's room.

Q. I moved my sofa from the side wall to the center of the room facing the sofa. Now there are huge dents in the carpet. What can I do?

There's an easy way to deal with that problem. See how to treat furniture dents. There are more how tos listed here.