| Greetings!
Hello! We hope you are well!
Exciting news for A Little Elf....we were the prize for the Marbig Messiest Office Contest in Australia (see the green bar on the right), check out the results...it was great fun and we were able to help a non-profit organisation out.
This month we are covering a moving home. Most of the tips apply for a local do it yourself move up through an large interstate move with removalists (movers). I personally have moved 17 times and helped countless clients manage their moves or unpacking projects. See my tricks of the trade below.
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Thanks so much!
Happy Organising! |
| Organising Your Move |
Moving house is a stressful, time consuming project, but by
being organised and getting started right away, you can make the job easier.
BEFORE YOU PACK
- Visit the new home with a measuring tape- make sure you
can fit in all your current furniture.
Measure the doorways, hallways, stairways as well, many a piece of furniture
had to be abandoned due to doorways and entryways.
- About a month before, start using up things like
perishable or frozen food items that won't be able to make the move.
- Redirect mail to your new address. Notify companies of your new billing address. Or get a post office box if you move often,
and send all of your mail there.
- Organise for connection of utilities such as electricity,
gas, phone and internet in advance of the move. Sometimes it can take weeks for to have a new
phone line or internet service connected.
Terribly frustrating!
PACKING
- Put your new keys on your key ring right away.
- It's important to have the right tools for packing-
boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, packing tape and permanent marker pens. A good option in Australia is to contact Hire
A Box (www.hireabox.com.au) - tell them A Little Elf sent you. You can rent the boxes and buy the supplies
from them, they will deliver them to you, and pick up the boxes when you are
done. You can keep the boxes for 3
months...excellent service. In the states,
try visiting your local Budget Truck location (www.budgettruck.com).
- Moving house is a great excuse to de-clutter. As you
pack, throw out or give away anything that is broken, damaged, outdated or
unused. Think about the fact that you
are paying for supplies and hourly wages to move the items...are they worth
it. Do they add value to your life?
- You can start packing items that you use infrequently
like out of season clothes, vases, photo albums and books weeks before your
moving date.
- A Little Elf always suggests that you keep your jewellery
with you at all times. Valuable artwork
requires specialist art movers.
- Pack small items in paper and then wrap packing tape
around it...label the packing tape so that you know there are parts in there...better
yet put small parts into food storage bags with a note inside saying what they
are for and pack them in your "OPEN FIRST" box (see below).
- Label each box with information including a general
description of what's inside, and what room it belongs in. Colour coding will not always work as many
movers are male, and can possibly be colour blind. Indicate if it is fragile. Label on the top and 2 sides for easy reading. If you are storing items for a while, it is a
good idea to type an inventory list up for yourself including a box number,
room, general details.
- If you have movers/removalists, label the rooms in your
new home with the same room titles.
- Always pack an "OPEN FIRST" box. Include all of your remote controls, phone
chargers, laptop charger, toilet paper, hand towels, kitchen towels, hand soap,
paper plates, napkins, cutlery, cups, any important paperwork, a box cutter,
bandaids, sticky tape, blank paper, pens, Phillips head screwdriver, Allen keys
for furniture, garbage bags, food storage bags or aluminium foil. Put two chairs in your new home right away...even
if they are beach chairs.
- Moving day - ensure that you have plenty to drink, make
sure your new fridge is on and cold, bring sandwiches or get a local takeaway/delivery
menu.
UNPACKING
- Open breakables over a surface such as a
counter/ bench top, with paper as a cushion.
Photograph any breakages for insurance claims.
- Make sure all of the boxes are delivered...compare to
moving inventory and your inventory.
- Unpack the kitchen and bed linens and bathroom first.
- Make sure that all small items have been unpacked.
This is not an all encompassing
list but is a good start for you. Call A Little Elf if you are
overwhelmed!
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We look forward to continued contact with you and the opportunity to assist you with your organising projects!
We would love to hear your organising questions and what has worked for you!
Warm regards,
Karen Koedding
A Little Elf
First Certified Professional Organiser in Australia
Live simply, laugh often, love deeply...today! |
A Little Elf Can Help!
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Dear A Little Elf,
I am moving soon but I need to put some things in storage. Should I be packing any differently? What should I do with my clothes?
Thanks.
Glen, VIC
Hi Glen,
I hope you get some good ideas from the article above. If you are packing clothes for storage, it's a good idea to pack cedar blocks with the clothes to protect them from boths. If you're going to be storing things in a basement, line a box with a large garbage bag so the clothes are protected from damp floors.
Some other tips are:
- Cover mattresses and store them on flat surfaces.
- Store small items like pots and pans inside larger things like a refrigerator or wardrobe.
- Make sure you don't store anything that is combustable or perishable.
- Wrap delicate items in bubble wrap and store them in drawers.
All the best,
A Little Elf
If you have a question for A Little Elf please reply to this email. | |
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| Competition |
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Marbig and A Little Elf teamed up to organise Australia's messiest office! Take a look at the results.
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August's to-do |
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This month is all about getting ready to move house. But even if you aren't moving, it's a good time to declutter as if you are, be ruthless! Ask yourself, does this add value to my life?
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| About A Little Elf |
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A Little Elf is a Professional Organising Firm based in Sydney and New York City. The firm was founded by Karen Koedding in May 2004. A Little Elf offers hands-on organising, organising consulting, training seminars, relocation unpacking services, and one-day re-design services for residences and small businesses/shops.
Karen is Australia's first and only Certified Professional Organiser. Karen's background includes degrees in Accounting and Interior Design, along with extensive experience as an Accountant and Financial Controller. She is currently serving on the AAPO National Committee for the 2nd year. |
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