Tag Archives: MOVING TIPS

If you’re dreading packing up your living room, we get it. It can be overwhelming. Living rooms usually hold a lot different objects varying in size and shape. Like other high traffic areas such as the kitchen and bathroom, you’ll likely be using your living right up until the very last minute. Start packing early and begin with the small items you don’t use on a daily basis. Then work your way up to larger pieces. We’ve provided a guide to how to pack your living room and tackling everyday items like books, lamps, and electronics.

Start with the books

If you’re downsizing, this is a good time to sort and donate books you don’t want to keep. Second-hand stores, school libraries, and used book retailers are all great places to leave the books you no longer want.

Try and find boxes that are sturdy and if you can, it’s better if they’re new. Or if you’re going to utilize used boxes, just make sure they aren’t damp as the moisture can damage your books. Be sure to use strong packing tape and secure all sides to avoid the boxes from falling apart. 

While it’s tempting to pack all of your books into a single box, try spreading them out to redistribute the weight. You might think that having the least amount of boxes will speed up the process, oftentimes it doesn’t. If they’re too heavy, they might require two people to carry them or they might need to be repacked into several lighter boxes, which will definitely take more time.

 If you have movers, they will likely assess the contents of your home and pack the truck accordingly. But if you’re doing this yourself, be sure to pack any book boxes on the floor of the truck. The books can be heavy and in order to avoid them from toppling over, it’s best to pack them at the bottom so they don’t cause damage to the furniture.  

Wrap Your Pictures Carefully

Moving framed art works and pictures can be a bit daunting. If you aren’t comfortable, feel free to leave this to the professionals. But if you want to handle this portion of the move, here are some tips.

First, find the most appropriate box. If the pictures are small, you can probably pack a few of them together. What if your pictures are large? It’s best to pack them separately. Specialty boxes do exist but they may be more expensive or harder to find. Regular medium and large sized boxes should work.

If the picture has a glass cover, tape an ‘x’ on the front. This will help keep the majority of the glass together if it does shatter or break. 

Then wrap the whole piece in cheap packing or butcher paper to protect the frame from any scratches or nicks. After that, wrap the frame in bubble wrap for extra protection and padding. 

Place the picture in the box and use more packing paper to secure the frame in place. This will keep it from moving on the journey. Tape the box thoroughly, mark as fragile, and describe its contents so that you and the movers know what it is. 

Protect Your Lamps, Vases, & Delicate Objects

While lamps may seem easy to pack, they’re actually quite delicate and fragile. Make sure they are broken down and the lightbulb is removed. Then pack each individual piece separately.

Find a box that will give you enough room to wrap each lamp with bubble wrap or towel and fill in any gaps with packing paper so it doesn’t move around in the box. Be sure to label the box as fragile and the room it belongs to for easy unpacking. 

Take that same care and apply it to your vases, decorative objects, and oddly shaped pieces. Be sure to use plenty of bubble wrap or paper to secure them into the box and fill in any empty spaces.

Organize the Electronics

While this might be your least favorite part, you’ll thank yourself when you get to the unpacking. We recommend wrapping up your cord neatly and labeling what device they belong to. If it helps, take pictures of how the cords are connected to their device. It will be a helpful guide and speed up the reassembly later on. 

Electronics are sensitive to extreme weather. If you’re moving in the sweltering heat of summer or in the cold of winter, we recommend taking them with you instead of leaving them for the movers to move. They’ll likely be sitting in the truck while everything else is being loaded as well. 

After you’ve packed your electronics and cords, label the boxes as “pack last” so your movers know to literally leave them as the last items packed into the truck. This ensures they don’t spend that much time in the truck and aren’t crushed by other boxes and items. 

Always Protect the Furniture

If you’re unsure how to pack your living room furniture, here’s how. But if you’ve hired movers, most ( 606 Movers included!) will have complimentary moving blankets for any of the wood, glass, and metal furniture. They’ll secure them to your furniture to avoid any damage. 

If you’re moving sofas and accent chairs, we recommend always opting for a plastic cover. Most movers will have shrink wrap or plastic wrap for purchase to keep them clean and safe. If you’re renting and expect to move again in the near future, we recommend investing in reusable covers. It’s both the green and cheaper option. 

We hope these tips help you pack your living room and happy moving!

Bathrooms are small but deceptive. While they lack the square footage, they are the perfect place to collect items well after their expiration dates and tuck them away in cabinets and on shelves. If you’re moving, then this is the perfect time to sort out your bathroom and toss out what you don’t need or want. Here are some tips to help you pack and move a bathroom like an expert.

Check your Medicine

Begin by looking through your medicine cabinet. Like most people, you’ll probably have medicine or pill bottles that you’ve forgotten about. Go through each item and if they’re past their expiration date, missing a label, or have changed color and consistency then you know you can toss them right away. It’s generally recommended that you don’t toss them down the drain or down the toilet as they might cause environmental damage. Talk to your pharmacist and they should be able to let you know how to dispose of them properly.

After you’ve cleared the excess and determined which ones you intend to keep, this is the perfect time to set up your essentials box. The essentials box should contain everything you need for the first few days after moving into your new home. The last thing you want to do is have to search every box for medications or a first-aid-kit you need right away.

Toiletries

Take the same energy you brought to your medicine cabinet to your toiletries. Toss what you don’t use, especially if it’s old or empty. Keep only what you need, use regularly, and love. Make sure the lids of anything you are taking are closed and secured properly. Then be sure to pack them in sealable plastic bags to prevent any leaks during the move.

Donate Unused Items

Do you have items that are unused but don’t need or want? Donating them to charities is a great option. Duplicate appliances, unopened shampoos, conditioners, and lotions are all necessary items. Be sure to do some research as to what your local charities do and don’t accept. It’s worth the time and effort to reduce needless waste.

Packing Essentials

Linens and towels make really good packing materials. They’ll cushion glass bottles, handheld bathroom appliances like hairdryers, and any glass or porcelain accessories. For smaller items, packing paper and bubble wrap might work better.

For packing bathrooms, small and medium boxes should do the trick. Just make sure to label them as fragile and indicate the designated room so your movers know where they go.

We hope these tips help you pack and move your bathroom with ease!

Move day can and will likely be hectic. It’s easy to forget things, especially if you’re trying to coordinate with movers and secure your next home. While you might be tempted to skip the small stuff, we’re here to help you reconsider. There are helpful techniques that will ensure you have peace of mind on the big day. Avoid these mistakes and get through move day (hopefully!) without any problems.

Don’t Leave Appliances for the Last Minute

If you’re taking your appliances with you, be sure to prep them ahead of time. For insurance purposes, most movers are not allowed to disconnect or reconnect appliances to gas lines. Be sure to secure an electrician for both the move out and move in locations. As for refrigerator or freezers, defrost and dry them out. Any moisture in the van can ruin furniture and create mold. Start a week before and begin defrosting them.

Don’t Forget Your Valuables

While the majority of movers are trustworthy (606 Movers very much included in this category!), we suggest packing and moving any valuables yourself. This can include jewelry with sentimental or monetary value and important paperwork like passports. The last thing you want to stress about is your valuables on move day, wondering what box they’re in or if they were tossed out. Do yourself a favor and take these items with you. You do not need any more stress on move day. 

Don’t Skip the Final Walk Through

You are finally moved out! While this is an exciting achievement, don’t forget the final walk through. Check every room and closet one more time. If you live in an apartment, make sure you get one last look at the elevators and loading docks. At 606 Movers, we never want to forget or risk losing anything, but we’re only human. Another set of eyes and a final walk through ensures small items aren’t left behind. 

Don’t Forget to Set Up Your Utilities

If you are finally moving into your own home, don’t forget to set up your utilities. Alert your utility company and update it with your new location. The last thing you want is to move in and realize there’s no power. It’s an easy thing to miss with all the excitement, but keep this in mind!

While this is not an extensive list, these are some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen on move day. Take your time and start early to avoid forgetting any of these small but important tasks.

While Chicago is gradually opening up, Covid-19 is still out there. If you are fortunate enough to work from home and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, it’s important to create a space that is inviting but helps you be productive. We have compiled some tips to help you curate a functional space now that our new normal is likely here to stay for a while. 

Choosing the Space

If you haven’t worked from home before, then this is probably new territory for you. It might be easy to choose a space if you live alone. Consider setting up near a window or clearing out a closet to easily transform into a work area.

If you live with significant others, family, or roommates, it might be tricky but not impossible. Identify a space that isn’t regularly used, like a guest room or dinning area. If you want some privacy, consider using screens to section off the desired area. Whatever you choose, clear communication with whoever you live with is key to ensuring that you have the time and privacy to work.

Create a Work Surface

If you have a desk on hand, great! That’s half the battle. If you don’t, there are plenty of ways to create a work surface in your home. While there are plenty of options online, maybe you’re not in the financial position to spend on a new desk. You can use what you already have, from a console table to a kitchen table.

If these options are already spoken for, consider using two filing cabinets with a board on top. These are great temporary alternatives but if you’re going to be working from home for a while, it might be time to invest in a desk. 

Get the Chair

Do invest in a chair with the right height and proper back support. You may have gotten used to office chairs so it’s important to recreate a comfortable space at home too. Do your research and find a chair that is functional and comfortable. 

Make it Bright

While not often talked about, lighting has an enormous effect on us. Natural light can be a great mood booster. Brighten up your new office by letting the light in. Keep your curtains open or use soft incandescent bulbs when the sun isn’t shining. Instead of intense fluorescent lights, consider floor lamps to create a warmer atmosphere. As opposed to working in an office space where the lighting is dictated by others, take this opportunity to create an environment that is conducive to your wellbeing and productivity.

Keep Work Separate 

This probably goes without saying but it’s a crucial step to working efficiently from home. Unlike working in an office, you might be tempted to work in various places depending on comfort levels. But we recommend you work in one area and one area alone. It’ll help maintain the separation between rest and work so you don’t get distracted or overwhelmed. If you’re planning on working from home for a while, it’s crucial for your mental health to create boundaries even when you’re in the same physical space. 

We hope this helps you create the space you need and want. But always be sure to rest, relax, and rejuvenate when you need to.

Moving is a necessary element of life that few of us like to do. It’s stressful, beginning to end. From finding a new place, to booking movers, to the actual day of the move, it can be overwhelming. Many renters stress about avoiding property damage on move day. We have included tips to help you prepare for the big day. As movers, we’re here to give guidance and assist on move day so you can focus on the next chapter of your life and settling into your new home. 

Protect Your High Traffic Areas 

As you prep, make note of the areas in your home that experience the most traffic. If a hallway or entryway has carpet, it’s best to lay out old rugs to protect them from dirt, water, and spills. If you have hardwood floors, tape down cardboard to protect them from getting scratched. If it rains or snows, consider investing in carpet shield. 

Always Measure Doorways

Measure your doorways and compare with any large or oversized items before move day. It might seem obvious but it doesn’t hurt to make sure your furniture fits, especially if you’ve assembled items within your house. If you do this before the day of the move, it will help you determine what will need to be disassembled and reassembled. You can disassemble before the move day or some movers include it in the services. 

Protect Your Valuables 

Most movers will supply moving blankets but there are ways to be more prepared when protecting your valuables. Wrap fragile items like glass and mirrors in towels or bedding to ensure they don’t shatter or damage anything else. Packing materials or cardboard will help sharp corners and edges from tables and dressers from scratching other items or the property. 

Watch Out for Corners 

If you’re worried about damaging wall corners, corner guards can be attached to high traffic areas as well. They will ensure walls are protected from the occasional bump or two. They can easily be attached in both the move out and move in location. 

Maybe you’re staying home to keep yourself safe, maybe you’re staying home to keep your family and your community healthy. Whatever your reasons might be, the next home you move into is likely where you’ll be spending most of your time for the foreseeable future. It’s daunting, we know. Chicago is always a great city in the summer, with festivals and events happening every weekend. But with COVID-19 in the picture and for the safety of our city, we can’t count on external entertainment this year. That is why it’s important to create a peaceful and welcoming space, especially if you’re relocating this season. We wanted to include some tips to help make your new home really feel like home, a refuge for this confusing and heartbreaking time. Use what you already have or splurge on a few key pieces. In order to continue fighting, we must know how to rest and decompress, and home is where we do that.  

Start with the Bathroom

While there is no wrong way to settle into your new home, we suggest starting with the bathroom. It’s the first room you’ll likely be using right away. Aim for a relaxing space. Think spa vibes with vanilla candles, plants, and neutral colors. Moving is intense, so do yourself a favor and set up your dream bathroom before unpacking anything else.

Keep it Bright

While not often talked about, lighting has an enormous effect on us. Natural light can be a great mood booster. Brighten up your new space by letting the light in. Keep your curtains open or use soft incandescent bulbs when the sun isn’t shining. Instead of intense fluorescent lights, consider floor lamps to create a warmer atmosphere. As opposed to working in an office space where the lighting is dictated by others, take this opportunity to create an environment that is conducive to your wellbeing and productivity. 

Get Creative

After your move is over and you’ve settled in, get creative in your new space. Add art to your walls, paint a statement wall or two, install shelves to show off your memories and decor. These are not only great hands-on projects that will keep your mind occupied, it will help your new space feel entirely yours. You’ll likely be home more often than not, so curate a space that makes you happy and optimistic. Having a space that brings you joy will make a huge difference, especially during this tough time. 

 Do you have a porch or backyard? Use it!

We hope you’re moving into your own home or at least renting an apartment with a patio this time around. No matter what it looks like, outdoor spaces are meant to be enjoyed and utilized. Now more than ever, it is important to find moments to unwind, relax, and have fun. Find comfortable seating, decorate with colorful pillows, get plants, invest in outdoor lighting or candles. No matter how you decorate it, make it a functional space you’ll actually use. Summer is here and you’ll likely get tired of working from inside. Shift your work space outside or keep it a purely recreational area. It is important for our mental health to keep work and rest separate but it’s absolutely up to you. Either way, your patio area will be a refuge and provide a much needed change in scenery. 

These are just some ideas to get you into a calm frame of mind in your new home. Or utilize these suggestions even if you’re not moving. We know it might not be easy for everyone but it’s important to rest and peace at home as we continue to move forward. 

Stay Safe!

Your professional Chicago Movers– 606 Movers Inc

Winter is nearly over. We made it through another season and I know Chicagoans are collectively taking a deep breath. And while Spring weather can also be unpredictable at times, there are advantages to moving this time of year. 

Warmer Weather

Moving in the winter is a stressful and daunting task. Spring brings warmer temperatures but beats moving in the sweltering heat of summer. While there is always a chance of rain, moving in spring is a much more comfortable experience. 

Lower Rates

If you’ve moved before, then you know summer is the busiest season. It tends to be the most convenient, especially since kids are out of school and its ideal for buying new homes. Summer rates surge because of this demand. Since spring is still technically the off-season, you might be able to take advantage of lower rates. 

More Flexibility 

In addition to higher rates, movers have limited flexibility during the summer due to such a high demand. There are simply not enough movers to meet everyone’s specific needs. Since spring is a less competitive season for moving, it’s much easier to secure the date you want, even if it’s short notice. 

A Perfect Time to Clean

With spring comes spring cleaning. If you’re moving, take advantage of this opportunity to clean, donate, sell, and recycle items you no longer want or need. If you’re moving less stuff, it likely means you’ll be paying less in the end. 

So embrace the transformative season and consider moving in the spring!