16 Expert-Approved Organization Hacks to Simplify Your Next Move

Meet the Experts

Amy Bloomer
MA Organizational Psychology, Columbia University

Amy started organizing as soon as she could walk, sorting her toy chest by size, color and function. Her innate organizational acumen led to success in academics and extracurriculars, all the way up to a Masters in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a successful Wall Street career. Read more

Darla DeMorrow
Executive Productivity and Organizing Coach

Darla DeMorrow is a Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of HeartWork Organizing since 2004. She is a mom of 2, an international speaker, and the author of the best-selling book series SORT and Succeed. Read more

John Monte
CEO + Co-Founder Elegant Simplicity

John, Co-Founder + CEO of Elegant Simplicity, is a loyal leader with a passion for guiding others. A former college football coach at Army-West Point, he brings a unique perspective on leadership + self-growth. John is dedicated to empowering his team + clients, finding joy in witnessing their ownership + commitment to excellence. Read more

Andrea Dekker
Founder of andreadekker.com

Andrea Dekker is a happy wife, mother of 4, farmhouse lover, and simple-living enthusiast! She is passionate about managing her home well, stewarding her resources wisely, and encouraging women in all stages to pursue intentionality in their homes, families, and lives. Read more

Barbara Metzel
Owner and Founder Professional Organizing Plus, LLC

Barbara Metzel is the founder and lead organizer at Professional Organizing Plus, a Phoenix-based company dedicated to transforming cluttered spaces into functional, serene environments. Read more

Lisa Zaslow
Founder of Gotham Organizers

Over the past 20 years, Gotham Organizers founder Lisa Zaslow has helped thousands of people get organized. Lisa doesn’t preach the conventional organizing “rules” – she has yet to figure out how to touch every piece of paper only once. Read more

Keli Jakel
CEO & Life Transitions Coach

With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Keli spent her early years working in the field of education. It was her passion for serving others and her ability to see patterns where others can’t that inspired her to launch Organized by Keli & Co. Read more

Melanie Summers
Professional Organizer | Keynote Speaker | Owner – I Speak Organized

Melanie Summers is a professional organizer and productivity coach based in the Portland, Oregon metro and Vancouver, Washington area. She specializes in ADHD-friendly organizing strategies for busy families and professionals. Read more

Andrew Mellen
Speaker, coach, author + organizer

Andrew Mellen is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, transformational coach, and sought-after speaker who helps people break free from overwhelm, disorganization, and limiting beliefs around time, stuff, and self-worth. Read more

Erin Neumann
CEO, USMA, MBA

Erin Neumann is a West Point graduate, former Army Captain, and founder of Sacred Space Organizing. With an MBA and a background in Organizational Behavior, she helps clients create intentional, joyful spaces. Read more

Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli
Owner of Sabrina’s Organizing & Admin Services

Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli owns Sabrina’s Organizing & Admin Services in Collegeville, PA, with over 30 years of experience organizing homes, offices, and lives. She holds a Business Administration degree and offers services to help small businesses and individuals streamline operations and achieve their goals through organizing consultations and administrative support. Read more

Ellen Goodwin
Co-Founder & CSO, Artifcts

Prior to co-founding Artifcts, Ellen served as Chief Solutions Officer of Knoema. She managed Knoema’s largest strategic client engagements. As CSO, she also directed content solutions and client services, helping to drive the corporate product roadmap. Ellen holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Masters of Public. Read more

Pam Holland
Virtual Organizer and Productivity Consultant Mindful Decluttering & Organizing

Pam Holland is a professional home organizer and founder of Mindful Decluttering & Organizing. Since 2005, she’s helped families navigate life’s transitions with clarity, compassion, and a little bit of joy. Pam blends mindfulness with practical organizing strategies to create calm, clutter-free homes. Read more

Lucy Milligan
Founder, LMW Edits LLC

Lucy Milligan Wahl is the founder of LMW Edits, a San Francisco-based boutique professional organizing company founded in 2014. Her organizing work focuses on common sense solutions for modern urban living. Lucy and her team have organized for dual income families, recent grads, tech CEO’s, tweens and teens, and all the busy people who call San Francisco home. Read more

Lauren Kim
Owner of MomHomeGuide.com

Lauren Kim is the owner of MomHomeGuide, a blog that’s focused on helping families create a cozy, functional, and beautiful home on a budget. She’s also a writer who’s been published in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Unique Homes Magazine. Read more

Ellen Delap
Certified Professional Organizer

Ellen Delap is Certified Professional Organizer® with 25 years of experience in organizing and productivity. Ellen specializes in empowering clients with ADHD working alongside individuals and families assisting with all sorts of organizing and productivity. Read more

1. Let Go

Doing away with any preconceived notions you have about your upcoming move will allow the process to unfold much more smoothly and naturally.

Amy Bloomer, a professional organizer with a Master’s in Organizational Psychology, advises,

Darla DeMorrow, executive productivity and organizing coach, recommends avoiding perfectionism in the lead-up to a move.

2. Take It Step by Step

Instead of viewing packing, moving, and unpacking as a single process, treat them as distinct journeys. Taking each phase step by step reduces stress, improves your focus, and offers you a chance to deal with your emotions. Completing small tasks also gives you a sense of accomplishment, which can help you stay motivated.

Andrea Dekker, founder of andreadekker.com, agrees with the step-by-step approach, stating:

Andrew Mellen, speaker and author, has some practical advice for the packing and unpacking phases of your move:

When you’re ready to unpack, follow Amy’s advice: “A great strategy when sorting through your belongings post move, is to start small and not to try and take on too much at once. I’d suggest a room-by-room approach that commences with the easiest space first.”

3. Play the Dopamine Game

Dopamine is one of the chemical messengers in your nervous system. When you experience something enjoyable, dopamine floods your brain, reinforcing your recent behavior. Instead of treating moving like a chore, leverage the effects of dopamine. Gamify the process by “racing” to see who can pack a box the fastest or declutter the most items. Short bursts of dopamine help you maintain momentum, ensuring your move goes smoothly.

Amy concurs, explaining that, “Creating small victories with rooms that are less intimidating builds the foundation and the momentum to tackle more difficult places.” 

If you need a quick win, here’s a suggestion from Melanie Summers, owner of I Speak Organized:

4. Less Stuff, Less to Organize

The less stuff you have, the less you have to pack, move, and organize. Don’t be afraid to give away little-used items that do nothing but collect dust. The more you declutter, the easier it is to get a fresh start. Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, suggests,

Lucy Milligan, founder of LMW Edits LLC, agrees, noting,

5. Don’t Procrastinate

When it comes to planning a move, procrastination is your enemy. The longer you wait to get started, the less time you have to accomplish each task. Unless you want to pack your entire apartment the day before your move, it’s important to stamp out demotivation and stagnation before it gets the best of you. 

Start by identifying your procrastination triggers. Are you feeling emotional about leaving your starter home or worried about moving to a new neighborhood? Process these emotions before you start packing. It’s also helpful to share your goals with loved ones. You might plan to pack 5 boxes or drop off donations at the local thrift store. Letting people know your plans keeps you accountable.

Finally, once you get moving, avoid distractions and start checking tasks off your to-do list. This applies to unpacking as well as packing. Darla advises, “Unpack ALL the boxes. Do it as soon as possible. The sooner you get all boxes and packing material out of the way, the sooner you can truly settle in. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t have room for the things in your boxes; you do.”

6. Get Visual

Moving is a little different than other projects. You have to deal with items you haven’t seen in a long time but hold emotional value, such as your child’s kindergarten artwork or tickets from the first concert you ever attended. Some items have been hidden away for so long that you’ve never had to consider them on a spatial level. In this case, seeing really is believing. Viewing your belongings can help you put together the perfect game plan for moving day.

According to Darla, “Seeing everything you’ll need to store can give you visual information you’ll need to buy appropriate storage furniture.” To make it easier to see your belongings, take a tip from the playbook of Barbara Metzel, founder of Professional Organizing Plus LLC:

7. Help Your Future Self

A little planning today can help you avoid a lot of stress in the future. It’s not easy to look past all the tasks piling up immediately in front of you, but instead of focusing completely on the present, think about what you’ll need after your move. What can you do today to make tomorrow a little easier?

John Monte, co-founder of Elegant Simplicity, recommends dedicating

Barbara states, “I never start a move without a label maker and a set of pre-printed labels. Having everything labeled from the beginning helps avoid that ‘Where did I put it?’ feeling.” 

Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli, Owner of Sabrina’s Organizing & Admin Services, advises her clients to Following these tips can make it a little easier to transition into a new routine.

Following these tips can make it a little easier to transition into a new routine.

8. Be Intentional

A detailed plan can help you stay on track when you tackle a packing, unpacking, or organizing project. Planning ahead also helps you avoid the dreaded “analysis paralysis,” which is when you overthink every decision to the point you can’t make any progress. A plan gives you actionable steps to follow, eliminating hemming and hawing.

Keli Jakel, CEO and life transitions coach, emphasizes the importance of categorization and structure. He claims the secret to packing and unpacking is

Andrew says, “Structure, not struggle, will carry you through this process. So take a breath, prepare your plan, and start where the stakes are lowest. Before you know it, you’ll be in flow — and that’s where the magic happens.”

Certified Professional Organizer® Ellen Delap agrees and offers a full-scope strategy to simplify the entire move. She recommends decluttering room by room and eliminating anything you haven’t used or that’s broken to lighten your load. “It saves you money to have less to move,” she says. Once you’ve decluttered, create a full inventory and assign each item a place or room in your new home to stay organized when unpacking.

She also encourages families to divide tasks, get started early, and take care of themselves in the process. “A move is hard work,” she says. “Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your best self.”

9. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

No matter how organized you are, moving is a big job. You have to declutter, sort your belongings, pack everything, find a mover, and more. Many people make the mistake of trying to do it all on their own, leaving them tired and stressed. Unless you’re moving a box or two, you really can’t do it all yourself.

Lisa encourages you to get help early on, stating, “If you’re short on time or energy, consider hiring pros. Delegating isn’t cheating. It’s surviving!”

10. Make a Plan for Sentimental Stuff

Dealing with sentimental items is one of the most common stumbling blocks when planning a move. It’s tempting to look at every photo, think about every memory, and reminisce about all the people who’ve made your life special. This can derail the whole process, so it’s important to have a plan for what stays and what goes. It’s also helpful to think about how you’ll preserve some of your special memories without keeping every item you’ve ever owned.

Erin Neumann, founder of Sacred Space Organizing, proposes creating a memory box for each person in the household. A memory box “provides a designated space to store those special items you don’t necessarily want to display but also aren’t ready to part with.” Here are a few other options:

Here are a few other options:

• Create a quilt out of your favorite T-shirts.
• Build a shadow box to hang on the wall in your new place.
• Write a family history.

11. Digitization Is Your Friend

Unless you want to lug boxes of photos, videos, and important papers everywhere you go, incorporate digitization into your moving process. Ellen Goodwin, co-founder of Artifcts, explains,

Digitizing photos and videos also allows you to enjoy precious memories for years to come — without having to find room for thick photo albums or bulky video equipment. If you have extra time, you can use an app like Genius Scan or Adobe Scan to create digital versions of bank statements, instruction manuals, and other important documents. You can also hire a service to do the work for you.

12. Engage Kids and Teens

If you have kids or teens at home, include them in the process. Getting young people involved shows you value their input and care about their needs. It can also help them work through their emotions about the move. Pam Holland, virtual organizer, advises parents: 

Lauren Kim, owner of MomHomeGuide.com, says,

Final Thoughts

Sure, moving is stressful, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Creating a step-by-step plan, decluttering as much as possible, and preserving cherished memories are all good ways to make your move easier. Don’t be afraid to hire a residential mover or rely on other pros for help with packing and organizing. Delegating can help you make your move an even bigger success.

Expert Panel – Full Q&A

Amy Bloomer

MA Organizational Psychology, Columbia University

Amy started organizing as soon as she could walk, sorting her toy chest by size, color and function. Her innate organizational acumen led to success in academics and extracurriculars, all the way up to a Masters in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a successful Wall Street career.

She worked for almost fifteen years with executives of a global investment bank, a top hedge fund and several Fortune 500 companies in various roles within corporate human resources.

But after all those years, she left the corporate world to accept the most challenging job – a stay at home mom to her two kids, Thomas and Zoë. Fast forward to 2016, when Amy brought her passion for helping people flourish through organization to the Baltimore market. Since then, she’s been in hundreds of homes, helping families, professionals and retirees to transform their space, and in turn, their lives.

How can people set up long-term home organization systems right from day one after a move?

“Relinquish what has served you in the past, and retain what will serve you moving forward. A move is an ideal time to take stock of what you have, determine what still serves you well, and release things that are creating clutter. I’ve found that clients are more open to letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose when they have a safe landing place. As my home base is in Baltimore, Maryland, I reference a long list of local non-profit organizations that are looking for everything from old computers to building supplies. My goal when working with clients during this decluttering process is to find a new home for everything, either with another local organization or in their new home.

A great strategy when sorting through your belongings post move, is to start small and not to try and take on too much at once. I’d suggest a room-by-room approach that commences with the easiest space first. Creating small victories with rooms that are less intimidating builds the foundation and the momentum to tackle more difficult places. I also recommend starting with smaller rooms.

Reducing the amount of stuff you have helps creating new organizational systems easier. And the more work you do setting up organizational systems in the beginning, the less stressful it will be down the road. It’s an upfront investment in time that pays long-term dividends. When you can find what you need quickly and easily, then you have more time, energy and resources to do what you love.”

Darla DeMorrow

Executive Productivity and Organizing Coach

Darla DeMorrow is a Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of HeartWork Organizing since 2004. Based near Philadelphia, PA, she is a mom of 2, an international speaker, and the author of the best-selling book series SORT and Succeed, which outlines five simple steps to help you organize stuff, time, paperwork, money, and photos.

What’s your top unpacking tip for setting up a new home in an organized, low-stress way?

“Unpack ALL the boxes. Do it as soon as possible. The sooner you get all boxes and packing material out of the way, the sooner you can truly settle in.

• Don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t have room for the things in your boxes; you do.
  
• Don’t put packed boxes aside if you think they have low-value things inside; they’ll grow roots.
  
• Don’t re-buy things you own but haven’t unpacked yet; doubles are usually clutter. By bringing all your belongings out in the open, you can decide what gets displayed, stored, and tossed. As you unpack, put things away in storage spaces (closets, dressers, cabinets), then stack remaining items neatly in rooms where they belong, even if you don’t have the ideal furniture for them.
  
• Don’t make the mistake of not using the current closets and furniture because they don’t seem good enough. You can always remove items if you decide to upgrade a closet system. Seeing everything you’ll need to store can give you visual information you’ll need to buy appropriate storage furniture.
  
• Don’t let the idea of perfect get in the way of the necessary work of getting out of your moving boxes.”

John Monte

CEO + Co-Founder Elegant Simplicity

John, Co-Founder + CEO of Elegant Simplicity, is a loyal leader with a passion for guiding others. A former college football coach at Army-West Point, he brings a unique perspective on leadership + self-growth. John is dedicated to empowering his team + clients, finding joy in witnessing their ownership + commitment to excellence. Off-duty, you’ll find him on the slopes or cherishing time with his family.

What’s a common packing or organizing mistake people make that adds more stress on moving day—and how can they avoid it?

“Moving day is inherently chaotic + it’s easy to fall prey to a common packing mistake that escalates stress rather than reducing it: the “just throw it in” method. We’ve all been there – faced with a mountain of miscellaneous items, we opt for speed over strategy, tossing things into boxes without much thought. This seemingly small shortcut creates a nightmare on the other end though, friend, turning unpacking into a scavenger hunt + delaying the feeling of actually being settled in our new surroundings.

My wife, Sherri, Principal Interior Designer at Elegant Simplicity, learned this lesson the hard way during our first big move. Excited to get it all done, we haphazardly packed kitchen drawers, closets + bathroom cabinets. When it came time to unpack, we then spent hours searching for everyday essentials + not knowing which box to open first. The feeling? Overwhelmed. Defeated.

The solution we’ve used for ourselves since then as well as for all of our organizing clients? The “open first” box method. Before you seal up your main moving boxes, dedicate a clearly labeled box (or two!) to immediate necessities for the first 24-48 hours in your new home. Think toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchenware for coffee + a quick meal, phone chargers, + any critical documents. For families, include a favorite toy or comfort item for the kids.

This simple act of thinking ahead transforms unpacking from a frantic search into a calm, systematic process, allowing you to breathe + truly begin nesting in your new space. It’s a small effort with a massive payoff in peace of mind.”

Andrea Dekker

CEO + Co-Founder Elegant Simplicity

Andrea Dekker is a happy wife, mother of 4, farmhouse lover, and simple-living enthusiast! She is passionate about managing her home well, stewarding her resources wisely, and encouraging women in all stages to pursue intentionality in their homes, families, and lives. Browse her many free simple-living resources online at AndreaDekker.com.

What’s the first step you recommend to help someone start organizing their home before a move, especially if they feel overwhelmed?

“As with almost everything in life, getting started is often the hardest part; so my advice is always to “Start Small”. Starting small gives you more control, reduces stress, and makes big projects, like a whole-house move, feel more achievable for busy families. Practically speaking, this could look like making a list of each room in your home, and then breaking each room up into zones (closet, dresser, individual cabinets/drawers, flat surfaces, etc.)

Commit to tackling one zone per day or week, depending on your moving timeline. Go into each zone with the mindset of “progress,” not “perfection” — you don’t need to have a perfectly decluttered home before you move. While working in each zone, declutter everything you don’t want to move (trash, donate, or sell) and pack up non-essentials you won’t need shortly (remember to label those boxes).

Once you complete a few zones, your momentum will likely propel you forward, and each completed zone/room will get you one step closer to a simpler, less- stressful move!”

Barbara Metzel

Owner and Founder Professional Organizing Plus, LLC

Barbara Metzel is the founder and lead organizer at Professional Organizing Plus, a Phoenix-based company dedicated to transforming cluttered spaces into functional, serene environments. With a background rooted in European efficiency, Barbara brings a unique blend of style and practicality to each project, helping clients across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the greater Phoenix area achieve organized living.

Are there any must-have tools, bins, or organizing supplies you always recommend during or after a move?

“One of the most overlooked parts of moving is what happens after the boxes arrive. That’s usually when the real stress sets in, but the right organizing tools can make a huge difference. I always suggest clear modular bins in a couple of standard sizes, like 6-quart and 15-quart. They’re easy to stack, work well in nearly every room, and keep things consistent. Once labeled, you can reuse them again and again, even after the move.

I also love using open bins or lidless baskets during the unpacking phase. They make it easier to sort things quickly, especially when juggling kids or a tight schedule. Plus, they tend to look great and fit right into your new space. I never start a move without a label maker and a set of pre-printed labels. Having everything labeled from the beginning helps avoid that “where did I put it?” feeling. Clients often say it saves them weeks of digging through drawers and bins later.

With just a few smart tools, it’s possible to turn that overwhelming post-move mess into a home that feels calm, clear, and easy to live in.”

Lisa Zaslow

Founder of Gotham Organizers

Over the past 20 years, Gotham Organizers founder Lisa Zaslow has helped thousands of people get organized. Lisa doesn’t preach the conventional organizing “rules” — she has yet to figure out how to touch every piece of paper only once. Get her practical tips, information and inspiration at GothamOrganizers.

What’s your best tip for staying organized while packing on a tight schedule or deadline?

“Moving can be stressful and emotional. Add in a tight packing deadline and it can feel overwhelming. Start by creating a clear plan; the structure gives you a sense of control and confidence, which is calming. Use a paper month-at-a-glance calendar (you can print one from the internet) to map out your packing schedule. The visual format helps you stay on track, spot unrealistic goals, and account for holidays and events that could impact your timing.

I’ve managed moves for over 20 years, including one that involved multiple properties and 65 beds. Every single one starts with a blank calendar. Tackle one room at a time, starting with fragile items so they’re packed safely and early. Label boxes clearly, on at least one side, with the destination room and contents (e.g.,“Main Bedroom / Linens”). Set aside essential items to pack last and unpack first, including toiletries, chargers, and basic kitchenware. And snacks!

De-clutter as you go. Moving math: Less stuff = faster packing + easier unpacking. Perhaps most important: Don’t feel that you need to do it all yourself. If you’re short on time or energy, consider hiring pros. Delegating isn’t cheating. It’s surviving!”

Keli Jakel

CEO & Life Transitions Coach

Having walked through many challenging transitions herself, Keli knows well the value of being able to find order in a season that feels chaotic. With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Keli spent her early years working in the field of education. It was her passion for serving others and her ability to see patterns where others can’t that inspired her to launch Organized by Keli & Co. Since then, she’s dedicated her career to helping people reach their potential in spaces they love. When she’s not making magic happen in the homes of her clients, you can find Keli spending time with her husband and four kids, baking the world’s best chocolate chip cookies, and experimenting with (and of course, organizing!) her own collection of art supplies.

How can people avoid the “junk drawer effect” when unpacking and setting up a new home?

“To avoid the dreaded “junk drawer effect” when unpacking and setting up a new home, the secret is all about intentional categorization—both during packing and unpacking.

If you’re still packing:

Pack each box with just 1–3 specific categories of items, rather than by cabinet or random drawers. For example, instead of filling a box with everything from your kitchen “junk drawer,” pack one box with only office supplies, another with electronics accessories, and so on. If your current home is already well organized, this will feel natural—your cabinets or drawers may already be sorted by category. This method makes unpacking a breeze, because each box will only contain a small number of related items, so you can set up one category at a time without mixing unrelated things together.

If you’re already unpacking:

Don’t just pull items out and put them away as you go. Instead, as you empty each box, sort everything onto a table or countertop by category—grouping like items together (all pens in one pile, all cords in another, etc.). Once everything is sorted, you can put each group away all at once. This prevents the frustration of putting something away, only to discover more of the same item in another box later, forcing you to rearrange your drawers and cabinets.

The key takeaway:

Sorted groups are the secret weapon against the junk drawer effect. When you categorize before you store, every item has a logical home, and you’re much less likely to end up with a catch-all drawer full of odds and ends. Unpacking by category helps you set up functional, easy-to-maintain systems—and makes your new space feel organized from day one.”

Melanie Summers

Professional Organizer | Keynote Speaker | Owner – I Speak Organized

Melanie Summers is a professional organizer and productivity coach based in the Portland, Oregon metro and Vancouver, Washington area. She specializes in ADHD-friendly organizing strategies for busy families and professionals. Through her company, I Speak Organized, Melanie helps clients across the Pacific Northwest simplify life transitions like moving with clarity, calm, and confidence.

What are your favorite “quick wins” or micro-tasks that make a big impact when decluttering before a move?

“When helping clients prep for a move, my favorite quick win is this: one drawer or one shelf at a time. Start with low-pressure zones like the junk drawer, an underwear drawer, or that random kitchen utensil drawer that hasn’t seen daylight in a while. These micro-spaces are low on sentimental value but high on impact—they offer a visible transformation without the emotional overwhelm.

Even just tackling one small area per day builds powerful momentum. Another big-impact task? Purging off-season items. Holiday decor, winter coats in summer (or vice versa), hobby gear, books, and craft supplies you won’t touch for months—these are ideal to sort, donate, or pre-pack early. Many of these are already stored in bins, so you’re simply streamlining what comes with you and what doesn’t.

This approach helps reduce decision fatigue and gets you closer to that “move-ready” feeling—without the stress spiral.”

Andrew Mellen

Speaker, coach, author + organizer

Andrew Mellen is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, transformational coach, and sought-after speaker who helps people break free from overwhelm, disorganization, and limiting beliefs around time, stuff, and self-worth. With almost three decades of experience, Andrew has guided over 500,000 businesses and individuals worldwide to greater clarity, freedom, and purpose in their lives and businesses.

Which room or category should people pack first—and why does starting there make the process easier?

“When it’s time to pack, start with the easiest, least emotional categories first—typically off-season or infrequently used items—rather than going room by room. Holiday decorations, out-of-season clothing, seldom-used kitchen tools, archived paperwork, or spare linens are great starting points.

Why? Because preparation is the antidote to anxiety. Packing can feel overwhelming when you try to do too much, too fast, or tackle emotionally charged items too soon. Starting small allows you to establish a clear plan, build momentum, and reduce decision fatigue. Success breeds success; failure breeds failure. Each simple, completed category fuels your confidence for what’s next.

Over almost three decades, I’ve seen this structured approach transform chaotic moves into calm, deliberate transitions. Structure, not struggle, will carry you through this process. So take a breath, prepare your plan, and start where the stakes are lowest. Before you know it, you’ll be in flow—and that’s where the magic happens.”

Erin Neumann

CEO, USMA, MBA

Erin Neumann is a West Point graduate, former Army Captain, and founder of Sacred Space Organizing. With an MBA and a background in Organizational Behavior, she helps clients create intentional, joyful spaces. Inspired by the KonMari method, Erin blends structure and heart to guide lasting transformation in homes, rooted in clarity, purpose, and meaningful change.

How do you recommend organizing sentimental items that are hard to part with, but may not have a place in the new home?

“Sentimental items are often the hardest to let go of when decluttering. They carry memories, emotions, and personal meaning that can make it feel impossible to part with them—even if they’re taking up valuable space. One simple strategy we always recommend to our clients is to create a memory box for each person in the home, especially for children.

A memory box provides a designated space to store those special items you don’t necessarily want to display but also aren’t ready to part with. It might include artwork, letters, small mementos, baby items, or keepsakes from important milestones. This approach allows you to honor the memories without letting them take over your living space. It also makes it easier to revisit those moments when you’re ready, knowing everything is kept safe and organized in one place. Over time, it becomes a cherished collection of meaningful items that tell your family’s story.”

Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli

CEO + Co-Founder Elegant Simplicity

Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli owns Sabrina’s Organizing & Admin Services in Collegeville, PA, with over 30 years of experience organizing homes, offices, and lives. She holds a Business Administration degree and offers virtual and onsite services to help small businesses and individuals streamline operations and achieve their goals through organizing consultations and administrative support.

What are your best tips for organizing and labeling boxes in a way that makes unpacking easier and less chaotic?

“Decluttering is vital before packing. I recommend this initial step to all my clients, and I recently worked with my daughter to complete it before she moved. Planning is key, decide on what you will need first, second, etc, in your new home. Then, pack up the items you will NOT need right away first. Working your way toward the items you will need on the day and week of your move, for a less chaotic move.

A key tip is to create a master box content list or log and pack boxes with pre-room labeled packing tape, color-coded dots, or a QR code for each room to ensure privacy. As you pack, one approach is to assign each box a unique number and clearly label it on the box with a marker. On your master list, note the box number, a description of its contents, and the specific room it should go to in your new home. This list is crucial for remembering what’s inside, especially if you plan on storing the items for some time. We tend to forget the items we have when we do not see them.

Remember to pack essential items, such as a week’s worth of clothes, kitchen supplies, and vital and private documents last, and always keep them with you. Doing this will allow you to prioritize unpacking essential areas first, and by tackling one room at a time, you can stay organized.”

Ellen Goodwin

Co-Founder & CSO, Artifcts

Prior to co-founding Artifcts, Ellen served as Chief Solutions Officer of Knoema. She managed Knoema’s largest strategic client engagements. As CSO, she also directed content solutions and client services in concert with her role, helping to drive the corporate product roadmap. 

Before joining Knoema, Ellen served as an Intelligence Analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency, including serving more than one year as a briefer to a cabinet level official. Ellen holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Masters of Public

How do you recommend organizing important documents, manuals, and records during a move so they don’t get lost in the chaos?

“During a move we recommend setting aside two boxes, a stay box and a go box, to collect documents that will stay with the house – everything from user manuals to local menus – and documents making the move with you. But make sure the documents in your “go” box are only your backups. Digitization of key documents is your friend in the move process. As you close or transfer services, hire people for repairs and remodels and the like, you’ll be grateful to be able to reference, download, or share a secure link to supporting documents, saving save you countless headaches and delays and quite possibly a lot of money, too.

One homeowner we spoke with attributed her home inventory app to helping her secure a higher final closing price on her house because she had uploaded documentation about the updated gutters, regular tree trimmings, and air conditioning maintenance.

You can use a flatbed scanner or your phone to scan important personal and financial documents and upload to a secure digital vault. For documents about your home furnishings, appliances, and the like, use an inventory app instead. If you want help digitizing, scanners are often available in local print shops and libraries.”

Pam Holland

Virtual Organizer and Productivity Consultant Mindful Decluttering & Organizing

Pam Holland is a professional home organizer and founder of Mindful Decluttering & Organizing. Since 2005, she’s helped families navigate life’s transitions with clarity, compassion, and a little bit of joy. Pam blends mindfulness with practical organizing strategies to create calm, clutter-free homes.

How can parents involve kids or teens in the organizing process to help them feel more in control and less anxious about the move?

“Moving can feel overwhelming for parents, kids, and teens—but when the whole family is a part of the process, it can become a confidence boost… and even a little fun. Really! I encourage families to invite kids and teens into the organizing process in age-appropriate ways.

Let them help sort their belongings: What do they want to bring? What are they ready to donate or pass along? You can even turn it into a game or a storytelling moment. Younger kids love packing a “first night” box with their favorite treasures. Teens often enjoy creating a playlist for packing day or sketching ideas for their new space.

Even small choices—like labeling boxes or picking moving-day snacks—help kids feel more in control. These little touches go a long way. As I share on my blog at Mindful Decluttering & Organizing, transitions are smoother when you blend structure with connection, creativity, and just a bit of joy.”

Lucy Milligan

Founder, LMW Edits LLC

Lucy Milligan Wahl is the founder of LMW Edits, a San Francisco-based boutique professional organizing company founded in 2014. Her organizing work focuses on common sense solutions for modern urban living. Lucy and her team have organized for dual income families, recent grads, tech CEO’s, tweens and teens, and all the busy people who call San Francisco home. Even more than getting her hands dirty organizing, Lucy loves the opportunity to share her message with audiences large and small. That message? Everyone can be organized, and being organized makes life easier.

What strategies do you recommend for planning the unpacking process in advance—before the move even happens—to make settling in smoother and more organized?

“There is one bottom line when it comes to unpacking: the less you have, the easier it is to unpack. I strongly recommend that my clients declutter as much as possible before they pack, so that unpacking on the other side goes as smoothly as possible. Clients of mine have used the word “ruthless” to describe their approach to pre-move decluttering. If they don’t absolutely love and use it, it doesn’t make the move with them! And even for those clients who ruthlessly declutter, they STILL end up unpacking boxes on the other end and wondering exactly where all this stuff comes from and why they have it! 

Decluttering is half the battle, the other half is organizing. The more you can group like items with like before you pack them, the more sense they will make and the easier it will be to find them homes when you’re unpacking. This is especially true if you are using professional movers to pack. Movers pack everything exactly how it lies in your house, they are not going to go around and make sure that all the cups are in one box and all the socks are in another. The more you organize for the way you use your stuff before packing, the easier it will be to unpack.

And finally, you want to have some sort of plan for unpacking. It doesn’t have to be exact, but you will want a general layout of where things will go. This is especially critical in closets and kitchens. if you decide beforehand where you’ll hang shirts and pants, and which drawers will be for t-shirts and workout clothes, it’s so much easier to unpack quickly.”

Lauren Kim

Owner of MomHomeGuide.com

Lauren Kim is the owner of MomHomeGuide, a blog that’s focused on helping families create a cozy, functional, and beautiful home on a budget. The website is a helpful resource offering guidance on DIY home projects, recipes, gardening, and travel and lifestyle tips—all from a mom’s first-person perspective. She’s also a writer who’s been published in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Unique Homes Magazine.

How should families—especially those with children—approach downsizing in a way that feels practical and less stressful?

“Any kind of move can be stressful for children, so it’s best to prepare them as much as possible before relocating. For instance, if they’ll be transferring to a new school, you could arrange visits in advance so they can become familiar with the environment and meet their future teachers. Pack your belongings early—ideally weeks or even months ahead of time—you could donate items you no longer need.

Involve your children in the process as much as you can so they feel included; let them keep the items that are most meaningful to them, helping them gain a sense of control. If you many items you no longer need, but not enough time to box them up yourself, you could use a junk removal service to remove them from your home for you. Whether your children help label boxes or choose what they want to keep, these small steps can ease their transition and make the experience more manageable for everyone.

You could even host a pizza night and invite a few of their friends so they have a chance to say good-bye and create a positive memory before the big move. You could also help them decorate their new bedroom either before moving day so it starts to feel more like home.”

Ellen Delap

Certified Professional Organizer

Ellen Delap is Certified Professional Organizer® with 25 years of experience in organizing and productivity. She is an industry leader, serving both NAPO and BCPO as president, Founders Award recipient in 2022, as well as Service to NAPO awards. Ellen specializes in empowering clients with ADHD working alongside individuals and families assisting with all sorts of organizing and productivity. Connect with Ellen on Instagram at EllenDelapCPO.

What’s your step-by-step strategy for staying organized and efficient throughout the entire moving process—from planning to unpacking?

1. Declutter first. Go room by room and eliminate what you have not used, what’s broken, and what’s trash. It saves you money to have less to move. Donate the items you don’t want to the local Goodwill or have a garage sale to make some extra money for your move. Remember, what may be trash to you may be someone else’s treasure. Getting organized before you sell makes a difference in the speed of your sale.
   
2. Take inventory. Create a spreadsheet to list your items. Specify which room will be used for what use. Assign furniture to the room for use and storage. As items are packed and unpacked, you will be sure all your items arrive and are placed appropriately. This is also valuable information for your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
   
3. Start packing early. Pack by room or by use. It will take longer than you think to get all the odds and ends as well as the big items packed safely. Pack a “last out, first in” bag. It can be packed in overnight bags and kept apart from items going on the moving truck.
   
4. Label everything. Yes, everything! Label the box on 3 sides, including the top. Write what the room is and what the items in the box are. Have plenty of sharpies or colored tape to write this on the boxes.
   
5. Use plastic bins. Bins can be reused once you are in your home or office for other storage as well. This is especially helpful for seasonal decorations. Purchase the bins with lids, pack your seasonal items in those, and then stack them in the garage without worrying about the elements ruining everything.
   
6. Update your address. Start early by letting others know your new address by email.
   
7. Organize your papers and bills. You may have 2 sets of bills and papers when you move for a short time. It’s a perfect time to update your online bill-paying system with new account numbers and addresses.
   
8. Research and choose a well-established moving company. Review online reviews to be sure you have a reputable company to move. Find a company that fits your budget and your move date.
   
9. Work as a team. Write a list of all the tasks related to your move and divide up the responsibilities with your family. Check-in each evening to check off what has been accomplished.
   
10. Get plenty of rest and take care of yourself. A move is hard work! Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your best self.