Are you moving? 12 tips for moving

When moving, proper storage is essential for a smooth process. It's easy to get overwhelmed by messy bags and random bags, which can make moving unnecessarily stressful.

Maria Laitinen, an experienced professional organizer at Tavararemontti, has helped with hundreds of moves over the past seven years. Here she shares her top 12 tips on how to pack smart and efficiently.

1. Don't pack trash
   Tidy up before you move! Sort your stuff into three categories: what to keep, throw away or recycle. Don't take everything and then decide what to keep later.
2. If you're moving to a smaller space
   Go through your closets and select the items you will definitely take with you. The rest you can assess later.
3. Categorize your belongings
   Pack items from the same category together. For example, if you wrap plates in towels, mark the box with both "plates" and "towels".
4. Use a clear marker
   Write with a permanent marker so that the text is visible and easy to read.
5. Mark the boxes with rooms
   Clearly write which room each box belongs to in your new home to make it easier to organize the move.
6. Storage of moving boxes
   If some boxes need to be stored, mark them clearly. Write which boxes go at the front and back of the storage room.
7. Avoid "miscellaneous"
   Avoid writing "miscellaneous" on your boxes. Specify exactly what's in them, especially if they are going to the basement or storage.
8. Choose quality boxes
   Moving companies don't consider banana boxes durable enough. Use sturdy cardboard boxes or open, stable boxes for moving and storage.
9. Avoid heavy boxes
   Pack books in small boxes or mix them with lighter items like decorations in larger boxes. Be careful not to overload yourself.
10. Even packing of boxes
    Make sure moving boxes are evenly packed so they can be stacked. The metal handles must be closable.
11. Schedule time for packing
    Make sure you have enough time to pack properly to avoid last-minute stress.
12. Unpack right away
    Avoid placing things temporarily in your new home. Unpack them directly where they need to be so you can settle in quickly.