Home is where the story begins …

Moving home is very emotional and one of the most stressful experiences. Like any significant life change, it disrupts ‘life as we know it. However, there is nothing more exciting than moving into a new home!

Moving causes uncertainty, which in turn causes anxiety and stress. Also, the word home is charged with emotions, feelings, and memories, and moving is full of symbolism. On the one hand, there’s a feeling of loss, anxiety, and fear, and on the other hand, there’s excitement, anticipation, and hope for new beginnings.

I decided to share some thoughts and insights on the subject matter. Some of these insights are from my personal experience, others from helping clients with their move and having lived in five countries and three continents. I have also moved more than 21 times (and counting). It is, therefore, safe to say that I’ve got some experience. Yet, I’m not too fond of packing and everything else that needs to be done before the move. On the other hand, unpacking and getting set up in my new home comes like second nature and fills me with joy. 

Before, during, and after the move.

When moving home, the to-do list seems endless. Professional moving companies offer helpful checklists that you can easily find online. However, the organization, packing, and planning before a move also involves a lot of decision-making, which for many, can be a cause of stress in itself. 

Most people, therefore, tend to bring everything they own to their new home and hope for the best. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work out the way they’d hoped in many cases. The furniture may be too big, too small, or not fit in shape, color, or style. Furniture size can be particularly challenging when internationally, especially between countries. 

So what should you do? Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all solution. Each situation is different, and more so, each home is different. Geographic location, architectural style, floor plan, floor space, the shape of rooms, rooms division, ceiling height, length of walls, and natural daylight all need to be considered.

It is essential to think about the layout and the design of your new home BEFORE the move. This will ensure you only will be moving (and paying for moving) the items that actually work in your new space, but it will also help you only take the things you love. Unwanted items you can either donate or sell. 

What about using some furniture on a temporary basis?

I often hear people say they will keep some furniture temporarily until they find a replacement. I don’t recommend this. Why? Because life gets in the way, and months if not years, will pass, and that temporary piece of furniture is still there. In my opinion, that’s a real shame because then you never feel settled. On the other hand, if you choose not to move any temporary items to your new home, you will be far more motivated to look for the missing pieces.

I have helped many clients prepare for their move. They knew exactly what to pack and what to get rid of before the movers came. This makes not only the first part of moving home less stressful but also the second part more fun. Once in the new home, you know exactly what goes where and what pieces you still need to get.

Combining existing furniture with new furniture

My recommendation is always to have one dominating style, to which you then add elements of other styles. Elements such as a piece of art, an antique, or an unusual chair will add a personal touch to your space. The same applies when mixing old and new furniture. For example, you may have a few antique pieces that you have inherited. Those items usually have a lot of sentimental value. So you could highlight them by giving them a special place or even use accent lighting to make them stand out. Another critical factor is to find a common denominator, such as the material or the color. This will create a cohesive look to which you can always add an element of surprise.

In conclusion, my best advice for moving home is to begin with the end in mind. Having a clear vision of what your new home should look like and how it should make you feel will facilitate and simplify the moving process. 

“coorie-in”!