Q&A With NEAT Method: Moving Edition
Moving mayhem, closet chaos, furniture fiascos—whatever you call it, moving is a notoriously stressful process. To avoid unnecessary anxiety, we asked the co-founders of the NEAT Method (our trusted source on all things organization), Ashley Murphy (CEO) and Marissa Hagmeyer (COO), to share all of their best tips and tricks on how to organize your next move-in and move-out.
What is NEAT Method?
Marissa: NEAT Method is a luxury home organization company offering quality products and services to help make your life neat and organized, helping you declutter your life. Launching in 2010 after two friends discovered their mutual passion for creating organized, clutter-free spaces, the company quickly expanded reaching over 100 locations across the US and Canada helping people declutter, organize, downsize, and pack/unpack during moves and relocations.
How could someone benefit from using NEAT method before a move?
Ashley: The most important part of moving is the preparation. NEAT can help you edit and downsize your belongings before a move, to avoid moving anything that is no longer of use to you. This will not only save you money on moving less, but it will ensure you are only bringing items you love and need into your new home. In addition, we can help categorize belongings to ensure they are packed together for a smoother transition.
When preparing for a big move, how early should you start prepping?
Ashley: As soon as you know you are moving! The decluttering process can be tasking, so the earlier you can get started on it the better. You can also typically start packing out-of-season items right away.
What are some tips you give to your clients to mitigate the stress of moving?
Marissa: Streamline moving day by boarding pets, ordering takeout, and enlisting help to unload. If possible, get a babysitter for small children. Focus on organizing priority spaces like the kitchen and primary closet first to get you back to your routines and enjoy your new home as soon as possible.
How do you stay organized when packing?
Ashley: Categorize and pack items into boxes based on the room they will be located in at your new home. This may not be the same room as the one they are currently in, especially if you are losing or gaining rooms. Don’t forget to add the name of the room in large, easy-to-read text, as well as a small list of what is inside, to the outside of the box.
How do you stay organized when unpacking?
Marissa: We suggest adding signs to the door or entryway of each room that matches your box labels. This makes it clear to everyone helping unload the moving truck, what boxes go where. Once you’re ready to open up your boxes, we encourage you to protect surfaces and unpack one room all at once. From there, you can better determine which categories should be located in your prime real estate zones and edit further if necessary, based on your new space.
What should you prioritize when prepping for a move?
Marissa: Editing should be the priority for anyone who is moving, even if you’re gaining square footage. The more items you move, the more time, energy, and moving supplies are needed. Do yourself a favor and ruthlessly edit in advance, in order to get rid of anything not worth that additional effort.
When thinking about organizing a new home, what are some things to keep in mind?
Ashley: Keep in mind that the bins, baskets, and other organizers in your current home may not work with the dimensions of storage spaces in your new home. However, we suggest unpacking first and determining what should belong where, before purchasing anything new. Sometimes products can also be shifted around and repurposed in different spaces.
What are some moving and organizing products you recommend for a move?
Marissa: A box cutter, sticky notes, and a Sharpie will be your best friends. As you unpack, label each drawer and cupboard with the category name using a sticky note, to help household members with the new layout. Once everyone feels comfortable finding their way around, you can toss them.
What is your favorite tip to give when a client is moving?
Ashley: We always suggest packing an overnight bag for each family member to use the first night in your new home. This will eliminate the stress of hunting things down in boxes after a long day of moving.
And be sure to read more of our NEAT Method series, like how to organize your kids' spaces!