Moving to a new home doesn’t always have to be such a complicated or overwhelming process. With the right planning, you’ll be able to relocate more seamlessly. Here are four smart ways to make moving easier and that can also take some of the stress out of the process. Making for a much smoother transition overall.

1. Downsize as Much as Possible

Trying to pack and transport a lot of things that you don’t need can make relocating much more difficult. Not only do you have to track down enough containers and boxes to fit everything, but you also have to figure out where to store everything as you unpack and move in. As your life has changed and you grow out of items, you should be willing to part with the things that you no longer need in order to lighten your load. This can be done by selling, donating, or discarding the things you don’t need. Downsizing can also save you money since you won’t need to pay as much for space in a moving truck if you have fewer items or pay for as many boxes in order to pack them all up.

2. Start Packing Your Most Difficult Rooms First

The rooms that are the fullest or have the most awkward items to pack should be worked on first before you progress to the easier rooms and items. If you wait until the last minute to pack your most difficult rooms, you may find that these rooms take longer to pack than you previously thought, and this could delay your move. If you need help with packing your toughest rooms, professionals from a trusted moving company, someone like All America Moving, can lend a hand.

3. Document Your Items

If you just throw a bunch of random stuff into a box, you might have trouble finding the things that you need after you’ve settled into your new digs. You should plan a write a checklist of all the items that you need to bring and keep a record of what’s in each box or label the boxes with the list of the things that are inside of them after you’ve packed them. You can also take pictures of some of your belongings and the places where you’re putting them as you’re packing to move.

4. Don’t Just Use Moving Boxes

The cost of moving boxes can add up, and you can save money along with some space if you pack certain items in different containers. Garbage bags often work great for packing clothes. Some of your items can even be placed in suitcases. Some liquor stores are also known to give away some of their empty boxes for free, and some of these boxes may come in different sizes that will be perfect for your belongings.

Whether you’re moving across town or across the world, you can take much of the stress and guesswork out of moving if you find ways to simplify the process. Professional movers are also available to help alleviate some of the burdens.