Storage Giant’s Ultimate Guide to Moving House

Storage Giant | 28 July 2021

Moving house is a serious undertaking, and stressful and exciting in equal measure. If you’re preparing to move to your first home or you’ve not moved for a while, the team at Storage Giant put together everything you need to know about the preparation, packing and unpacking side of moving house. Click on the topics below to jump to the section you need.

Part 1 – Getting your house ready to sell and decluttering

If you’re not quite ready to move yet but know you need to, or have found the perfect new home and need to sell your current one, we’ve put together our top recommendations to get the house moving journey off to a smooth start.

Step 1: Disassociate yourself from your home and de-personalise

As hard as it may be, you need to remember this space won’t be yours anymore and it’s time to get it ready for potential buyers to imagine it as theirs. Not only will it make parting less painful but it will make the next step easier too: De-personalising.

When someone is viewing your house, an important part of their decision to buy is that they can see themselves living there. If a house already looks fitted to another family, it will be much more difficult for them to imagine personalising it with their own things. You might think that people should be able to see through this, and to use their creativity, but this isn’t so easy when you’re looking at someone else’s family photos and children’s paintings on the fridge. You need to make it as easy as possible for the potential buyer to imagine themselves living there, with their pictures on the wall and their granny’s dressing table in the bedroom.

Step 2: Make Minor Repairs and Repaint If Necessary

Many sellers are loathed to follow this step, and it is understandable why; it is hard to justify spending money fixing and refreshing a house that you’re about to move out of… especially when you may have to do the same to the house you are about to move into.

But… and that’s a big ‘but’, it is worth it. Fixing a door that won’t close properly, giving your tired living room a fresh lick of paint or finally getting round to replacing that cracked kitchen tile won’t cost a great deal but should enable a speedy sale (possibly saving you money) and may even mean that you can command a higher asking price.

As you have the roller out anyway, now is the time to think about painting over that pink statement wall too. As much as you love bright colours, your buyer may not. Remember: Neutralise and de-personalise.

Step 3: Decide what you want to take with you and what you need to throw away

This tip will not only help you secure your sale, but will also help you when you move. Most of us are guilty of collecting an alarming amount of stuff, whether antique furniture, football magazines or gadgets and gizmos are your vice, they all take up space. Whilst you might be happy filling your home with your treasures, they will make the space look smaller to a potential buyer, and you run the risk of putting them off your property. So now is the time to think; do you really need it?

If you do want to keep your items:

  • Consider packing small items away in a box that can be stored out of sight. It will save you time packing them all away when you move too!
  • For larger items or larger collections, consider hiring a storage unit to keep your pieces out of the way until you move to your next home. You could even start ordering bulky items you don’t have space for in your current house like furniture to your storage unit for safekeeping until moving day.

 If you don’t want to keep your items:

  • If your stuff still has some life in it or would hold value for someone else, then why not donate it to charity or sell it online?
  • If it’s no longer useful to anyone, simply throw it away – but remember to recycle where possible.

Step 4: Clean, Tidy and Organise

Lastly, it is time to give the house a good clean; make the windows sparkle, hire a steam cleaner to bring life back into your carpets and get rid of that stubborn mould in the bathroom. It should go without saying that people are much more likely to buy a house that looks and smells clean and well looked after than one that doesn’t.

Don’t just leave it to stuff that is on show – organise your cupboards and wardrobes too. Buyers love a snoop and you may undo all your hard work if they open a cupboard and the hastily shoved in items fall at their feet! This extends to the outside of your home too. It is crucial that you don’t forget the curb appeal of your property – if the front garden looks unkempt, the windowsills have chipped paint or if there is any rubbish lying around, then you may have lost your buyer before they have even stepped through the front door.

If you have a back garden, then mow the lawn, remove weeds and clip back unruly bushes. If a garden looks like it might take too much effort to up-keep, then you may lose the interest of the potential buyer.

Part 2 – Planning your move

Moving house comes with plenty of paperwork to sort and decisions to make before actually picking up the keys, with the occasional unforeseen delay thrown in along the way. Here are a few tips to help you get ahead of the game and apps to help you plan, prepare and prioritise.

Apps For Moving House

After spending months on Rightmove and Zoopla it’s time to switch to another set of apps to get addicted to as you prepare to move. Here are our recommendations for the most useful apps before, during and after you move in.

1.     Google Keep

A quick note taking app that you can use on any device at any time. Make lists with checkboxes, take voice notes, add images, save links and share your lists with anyone else with a Google account. You can add colour code to each list, search them easily and it will even sort your lists into smart lists like ‘Places’, ‘Groceries’ and ‘Travel’. It’s easy to make quick notes and easy to find them again, and you can copy lists in like our Change of address checklist below.

2.     Sortly

Free for up to 100 entries, Sortly lets you organise all your stuff into a virtual filing cabinet to help keep track of what you own, where it is and where it needs to go in your new house. Arrange your items by room, by collection (for things like records and shoes) or by type (big and bulky, small and fragile, electronics, white goods). Once they’re added you can add extra information like warranty information, value, cleaning instructions or a few photos. The photo feature comes in surprisingly handy when you’re shopping for your new home and need to match paints, colours, patterns and styles with what you’ve already got.

Once you’ve listed everything in Sortly you can print out a list for the removal company or create lists for each box so you know which one you’ve packed the most important items into. The photo function also lets you note the condition of items before they’re packed away so you can track any breakages.  

3.     Dulux Visualiser

The Dulux Visualiser helps you see what your new walls will look like without having to waste time with colour charts and tester pots. Using augmented reality you just point your smartphone’s camera at a blank space of wall, choose a colour and see for yourself what works. You can save what you see at a photo or video to get a second opinion and use the colour picker function to find the closest match to furniture, art work, carpets or anything else you have in your home already.

Stick with these apps and you should have everything in hand. In some cases though you may want to leave it all to the experts. Picking a reliable and good value removal company can be tough, but choosing well and booking well in advance can take a load off your mind on moving day. At Storage Giant we do a lot of unloading vans and moving belongings around, so here are our recommendations for choosing the right removal company.

Choosing a removal company

Choosing a removal company can be a very lengthy and difficult process. You want to have a good service, with people that will take care of your personal belongings, but you also want a service that isn’t too costly. Thinking about who to use and how much is reasonable to pay well ahead of moving day can help avoid a last minute rush or spending more than you can afford.

Finding the right removal company for you

  • It is important that you give yourself plenty of time to find the right removal company for you. You want to make sure that you get a good service for a good price.
  • When deciding on a removal company remember that being cheap doesn’t mean that they will still provide a good service. Ask around your friends and family to see what company they used, and about their experience.
  • You will also find that many good removal companies will be booked for weeks in advance so be prepared for this. Your quotation for the move will sometimes take a few weeks.
  • When you are receiving a quotation, remember to ask about the price, service and available time.

Removal Company Payments

There are many factors you need to keep in mind, when considering how much to pay for a removal company. These include:

  • How many items you will be moving- the more possessions you have the more it will cost, especially if you will need multiple lorries
  • How far will they travel- the further apart the two destinations are the more the move will cost
  • If they will be traveling a really long distance- you will need to keep in consideration if they will have to stay overnight (UK drivers have 45-minute break every 4.5 hours, and are only allowed to drive a maximum of 9 hours a day)
  • If you are moving in peak season the move will cost more

The best options for payment are by using a credit/debit card or paying by cheque. These methods guarantee more security and mean you can pay a deposit on booking and the balance once you’ve moved in successfully.

Having your items insured when moving home is vital. Some removal companies will have a dedicated insurer. Another option is to ask your current insurance company if they will cover your items in case, they are broken or lost in transport.

Removal Company Planning Considerations

To make unloading the removal lorry quick and easy, it is advised that you provide your removal company with a floor plan of your new home in advance. You should also provide your removal company with any access routes, for example where they can park and how to get there.  Making sure that your furniture is able to fit through the doors is something most people forget to think about.

If you’re close to one of Storage Giant’s stores we can recommend you removal companies and man and van services to help. Get in touch with our friendly customer service advisors at your local branch.

If you’re renting rather than buying, before you commit to a removal company and a move in date make sure you’ve asked your new landlord all of these questions.

Questions to ask your Landlord when you’re Renting

Renting a property for the first time can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to knowing the right questions to ask your landlord. We’ve put together some of the most important questions you should ask when renting a property.

How much is the rent, what is included and when is it due?

This is the most important question to ask, it is vital that there are no misunderstandings when it comes to the rent, especially what your rent covers, such as bills.

Many landlords will ask you to set up a standing order to pay your rent on the discussed date each month. This is the easiest way to avoid late payments and possibly fines from your landlord.

How long is the tenancy? What happens afterwards?

Many tenancies will be from 6 to 12 months. This will sometimes be extended if there have been no problems during the fixed term.

What is the policy with repairs?

It is always expected for something to go wrong with a property so it’s important that you know who is responsible for what. Your landlord has a responsibility to maintain the property and certain facilities, although it’s worth asking:
• How you should contact them if there is a problem with the property
• How quickly they aim to resolve the problem

If the property has a garden and outside area, it’s a good idea to know who is responsible for taking care of this area.

Is there a deposit? Where will it be protected?

The majority of landlords will require a deposit against possible damage to the property. The deposit will usually be the equivalent to one month’s rent and is refunded at the end of tenancy if no issues have arisen.

Since April 2007 any deposit that has been taken against an Assured Short Tenancy (the default tenancy in England and Wales) must be registered with one of three government recognised schemes. It is crucial you make sure that your landlord can tell you which one they plan on using.

Will an inventory be made?

Before your move into the property, it is useful to have your landlord create an inventory of the contents and condition of the property. This could become helpful if there are any disputes in the future.

Can I see a gas safety certificate?

By law, a copy of a gas safety certificate must be made available to tenants who will be living in a property with gas appliances or gas heating. A gas safety certificate can be obtained by having annual safety checks, conducted by an engineer on the “Gas Safe Register”.

Can I see the Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that outlines the energy efficiency rating of a property, which will be carried out by an independent assessor. They are valid for ten years and are legally required for every property up for rent.

Are you a member of the NLA, or of a landlord accreditation scheme?

Many landlords will decide not to join any kind of landlord accreditation scheme because it isn’t a legal requirement. If they have decided to sign up then this can be a good sign as it shows a commitment to professional development.

Of course, you might not just be moving from an old rental to a new rental on your own. If you’re renting a room, moving in with housemates or taking the next step in your relationship there are some extra aspects to think about.

Advice for moving in with someone else

If you’re moving in with someone else for the first time, there will be things for both of you to consider to keep things running smoothly and guarantee you have the equipment and space you all need.

Moving in Checklists

Begin creating a checklist, weeks in advance before the big move. This will give you plenty of time to keep adding items and actions so you don’t forget anything. There’s a lot to remember when moving, from items you want to keep to important documents needed. Our house moving apps include apps to create combined checklists and ones you can share, reuse and access through all kinds of devices.

When you’re moving in with someone else, you should remember that each of you are going to have different items and priorities that are important to each of you so make sure to take ownership of the areas you particularly care about.

Keep a Tab on Spending

One of the great things about living with another person, whether it is a partner or friend, is that you are able to split the cost of bills. You can either decide to keep things equal you both put in 50% of the bills or each person is responsible for certain bills. You might want to set up a dedicated account for bills that you can all access. If you’re moving in with a partner, although it can be stressful moving out and moving in with another person, it is important to enjoy your new life and make the most of the start of an adventure together. Managing money well can help take the stress out of the present and the future, aim to spend roughly 50% on living costs (Rent / mortgage, groceries, bills and transport), 30% on wants and lifestyle choices and 20% into savings.

Make Use of Storage Units

In the run up to moving house make use of storage units. They are a great way to keep items safe and organised. It will also give you more room in your current home and new home, making them both feel less hectic.

Tell the right people

When moving in together that may mean merging accounts and splitting others. There are potentially hundreds of organisations and individuals that you’ll need to tell that you’ve moved. Use our handy checklist below to keep track of who you’re telling.

Who to inform when changing your address

If you are moving house, it is important to let key organisations and businesses know about the change. This checklist will help you keep track of who to contact and how.

Government and Motoring

Utility Providers

  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Broadband
  • TV Licensing
  • Phone – landline and mobile
  • Royal Mail: You can set up Royal Mail redirect, so any post addressed to you at your former home will, instead, be delivered to your new address. You can do this here: Royal Mail redirect service here.

Health and Professional

  • School/University (even if you’ve graduated)
  • GP
  • Vet
  • Dentist
  • Optician
  • Employer
  • Your employer needs to know your change of address for their payroll. They will update your contact details and match these to HMRC and your National Insurance number.

Money and Insurance:

  • Bank and/or Building Society
  • Premium Bonds
  • Pension
  • Loan companies & Student Loans
  • Credit card company
  • Store cards and Loyalty cards
  • Health insurance
  • Home/contents insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • If you forget to update your address with your insurance company, they may refuse any claim you make.

Miscellaneous:

  • Pet micro-chipping – It is a legal requirement to keep your pet’s microchip details up-to-date so you can be notified if your pet goes missing.
  • Entertainment subscriptions
  • Library
  • Gym/sports clubs
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Charities you support regularly
  • Household subscriptions – Food or Drink services, Contact Lenses, Amazon Subscribe and Save and laundry tablets to name a few.
  • People who usually send you Christmas cards or birthday cards

Once all of your paperwork is sorted, it’s time to start packing!  

Packing to move house

One of the worst parts about moving house is the packing. It’s the thing people hate the most. So, we’ve put together some of our own top tips to help you find the best way to pack up your belongings.

Where to Begin

Putting packing off until the last moment won’t make it any easier. A great way to prepare yourself is to get everything you need ready. Find all the packaging materials you will need, these include:

  • Sturdy boxes- in a range of sizes https://www.storagegiant.co.uk/packaging-shop/
  • Packing tape
  • Bubble wrap
  • Permanent marker
  • Unprinted packing paper

It is important that you have enough boxes for everything. To know how many boxes you might need, create small piles of items, around the same size as a box. This will give you a rough idea of how many boxes it will take to pack all of your items. If you’re not sure which size to go for, medium boxes are 50 x 40 x 40cm and offer enough space without being too heavy to lift or awkward to pack and unpack. If you get too many boxes then it doesn’t matter as you can store them away and use them another day. If you have small children, or are feeling crafty, you can create some great DIYs from left over boxes – take a look at the last section of our guide for more inspiration!

Pack Necessities Last

  • Packing up your frying pans, dishes and cutlery is about as counterproductive as it gets. Boxing up everyday items in your home will more than likely mean they have to be unpacked again before the move date arrives.
  • While you are preparing for your move start taking mental stock of the items in your home that get used on a frequent basis and put them aside during packing times. Drawing up a 2-week meal plan detailed with the cooking utensils needed will make knowing what to and not to pack easy and convenient, and mean you’re not overwhelmed by takeaways.
  • Pack a small bag with everything you would need for a self catering weekend away to get you through the first couple of days. That way you’ll avoid having to unpack everything to find your toothbrush and socks. This includes:
    • Clothes and Pyjamas (Check the weather to make sure you’re not over dressing or under dressing)
    • Bedding
    • Bathroom essentials (Towel, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Soap, Shower Gel, Shampoo/Conditioner and Toilet Paper)
    • Duster, Anti-Bacterial Wipes, Cleaning Spray and Bin Bags
    • First aid kit and Medicine
    • Pots, a frying pan, chopping board and knives
    • Washing up bowl, liquid and sponge
    • Plates, Bowls, Knives, Forks and Spoons
    • Mug and Glass
    • Kettle and Toaster
    • Basic food supplies (Milk, Teabags, Bread)
    • Toolkit and Torch
    • Phone charger

Packing Boxes Top Tips

  • Boxes are supplied flat packed, so check the instructions that come with the pack and make sure you have plenty of tape to hand!
  • Reinforce the bottom of your boxes with extra packing tape to prevent everything from falling out.
  • You want to avoid your boxes from opening up or breaking during the move, which is why knowing the correct way to pack boxes is vital.
  • To fully protect your items, wrap them up in bubble wrap or ink-free paper. Using newspaper will ruin your items as the ink can rub off and stain. You can also line your boxes with the same materials. If you run out, using blankets and pillows is just as good.
  • To prevent your boxes from breaking and being too difficult to move, keep the weight of each box to a minimum. 20kg is enough for each box, roughly the weight of a piece of check in baggage. Keep the heaviest items at the bottom of the boxes and those boxes at the bottom of piles. This will prevent smaller, lighter object being squashed during the move.

You can fill any small gaps with fabrics, such as: blankets, bedding or towels. This will also keep whatever is in the box safe.

Packing Hacks

  • When you get round to packing your belongings, to make life easier begin from the top of your house to the bottom. The upstairs of your house can always be the most daunting, which is why it’s better to get that over and done with as soon as possible.
  • Avoid using bin bags to pack items, such as clothes. Bin bags will tear; this could result in you losing some of your items during the move. It’s best if you stick to using cardboard boxes to pack your items.
  • If you can’t find enough boxes then using drawers that you already own is the perfect solution. One thing to remember though when using drawers is to either lock or tape them shut. This will prevent them opening during the move and causing a bigger mess than necessary.
  • When dismantling furniture, put the screws into a little bag and tape it to the furniture. Screws are always the part you will lose so this helpful tip will solve this problem.
  • Once you have packed up your boxes, keep them separated into the different rooms. This will make life easier when unpacking in your new home.
  • If you don’t want your current house to be filled with boxes, then investing in a self storage room is the perfect solution. Your belongings will be safe and guarded over by CCTV. You can also come and go as much as you like a slowly take boxes to your new house.

Place Items in Storage

  • One way to reduce the move load is to store some items ahead of time that are seldom used or will not be needed for a month or more. For example, if you are moving in the winter time you will have little use for your lawn mower, barbeque or outdoor furniture. Same goes with a spring or summer move, Christmas decorations, portable heaters etc. is just one more thing to have to find a place for in your new home, this can be an unnecessary time waster if the items you are putting away won’t be needed for months.
  • Placing items with no immediate use in storage allows you to set up your new home with its necessities right away while the items that currently have no use are stored safely at a secure facility. Today most storage companies will pick up and drop off your items for a small additional cost adding even more convenience. If you move in small amounts, initially taking the necessities only, you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free move with only small jobs to be done after the big stuff is in place.

Once you’re all packed up, it’s time to make a move. Take a look at our next section for those all important moving day considerations.


Part 3 – Moving House

With moving day on the horizon, stress levels may be rising. Here are a few suggestions you may not have thought of to help you keep a clear head and avoid any stressful incidents so moving day runs smoothly. Moving house can be a stressful time but being organised will help reduce the stress. If you have children and/or animals, dropping them off at a friend or family member’s house can really reduce the stress of moving house. People may be keen to help but not everyone is suited to the physical work of moving so asking them to look after your pets or children, wait at your new or old address for deliveries / utilities or do a shop for the essentials are all useful ways they can contribute.

Moving Day – Considerations for your Current House

Being organised ahead of time is the key to having a smooth moving day. Make sure that your movers have access to your new home, whether that be giving them a key to the new house or having someone there to meet them. It would also be helpful for your movers to have a copy of the floor plan of at least your new home. With this they can see which rooms furniture and boxes need to go into and work from back to front so your hallway isn’t crowded.

While you are moving keep keys and important documents on you at all times. You don’t want to lose these, as they’re difficult to get replacements. These documents include:

  • Deeds
  • Ownership papers
  • Passports
  • Driving licences
  • Birth certificates

Before the movers leave, have a walk around the house and make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Look in all cupboards and hidden areas of your house you could have missed like the top of cupboards and shelves which can’t be seen properly from ground level.

It is also a good idea to check that the gas, electricity and water supplies are all switched off at the mains. The buyers of your house will want to move into a safe home. Leave instructions for turning these supplies back on in an obvious place.

Then finally, as you are leaving check windows and doors are correctly closed and that no one will be able to get in without a key.

Moving Day – Considerations for your New House

Before you start unpacking double check that everything that was agreed to be left there, i.e. fittings and fixtures, are still there. If they are not, contact your solicitor as soon as you can. Also make sure there are no serious problems that were missed out during the survey. If you find any then contact your surveyor as soon as possible.

Storage Rooms

If you decide that you don’t want to have all of your boxes in your new house on your first night and want to keep them somewhere else, renting a storage room is the perfect solution. Storage rooms will allow you to gradually move items into your new house without completely cluttering your house. A cluttered home and an overwhelming number of boxes can increase your stress levels.

There are a few key points that you should remember on moving day. Having a phone on you at all times gives you quick access to call anyone in case of an emergency. It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day and have a range of refreshments for you and the movers. Take photos of your furniture in case they get damaged during the move. If you have moving insurance, then you will be able to claim for the damages.

To make moving day as stress-less as possible, be as organised as you can. Plan the day ahead so you know what time you will need to leave. Get as much of the packing done before moving day so on the day you can get up, pack the last few things, fill up the moving truck and get going.

How we can help with your house move:

Moving house can be a stressful time. However, at Storage Giant we are here to help make the process run as smoothly as possible. Here are the services we offer that make moving house a walk in the park:

Running out of boxes to fit all your stuff in? Fear not, as Storage Giant’s on-site packaging store has everything you need. We sell sturdy cardboard boxes, packing crates, bubble wrap, furniture and mattress covers, tape, and even labels and pens to mark your stuff. We even offer discounts for bulk purchases, so don’t worry if you have a lot of things to transport.

Planning to move transport your things by endless car journeys? Think again, as at Storage Giant can set you up with affordable removal services in South Wales and we also organise home moves further afield.

Renting or staying with friends in between houses? Downsizing? Moving abroad? Take advantage of our affordable self-storage rooms. We have thousands of storage units across South Wales, the South of England and the Midlands in over 40 different sizes, so there is guaranteed to be something to suit your needs.

Moving House – Unpacking Hacks

If you followed our packing advice, unpacking should be straightforward and efficient. If you threw everything into boxes in a mad rush, don’t worry! You can still use these top tips to unpack like a professional.

1.     The Essentials Box

The first thing to unpack is the essentials box with the bedding, bathroom and kitchen supplies you’ll need for the first 24 hours. You don’t need to unpack everything straight away, but do open it to check that everything in it has survived the journey.

2.     Fridge, Freezer and Furniture first

Decide where you want the large items to live before unpacking. It’s easier to move around a large bed, chest of drawers, book case, wardrobe or cupboard when they’re empty and the only object in the room. It also means that you only have to assemble them once rather than taking it apart again to get through doorways to the right place, and you only need to drill one set of fixing holes. This is also a great time to put together flat packed items or install shelves which need extra room to manoeuvre so grab your toolbox from the essentials box. Also make sure you plug in your fridge and freezer once they have settled to check there are no issues with the electricals and to get them cooling down ready to be filled.

3.     Kitchen Essentials

It’s important to keep the kitchen clear to help avoid any accidents so unpack your main kitchen items early on. You don’t need to unpack absolutely everything and may wish to move things around later on but there are a few priority areas:

  • Unpacking glass and crockery to make sure it’s not been broken.
  • Finding your more regularly used items.
  • Getting cleaning items all in one place.
  • Putting any hazardous kitchen items (sharp knives, toxic cleaners, allergens) away safely before children or pets get to them. Equally this goes for hazardous gardening tools or small items that could be choked on.

4.     Get ready for bed

After your bed is in the right place, put the bedding on before the excitement of moving gives way to the exhaustion of unpacking. Having the bed somewhere also helps think through where the rest of your bedroom items will go, from alarm clocks to washing baskets and any smaller pieces of furniture. Put clothes you’re likely to need over the next 3 months away early on and leave the Christmas jumpers and thick coats in their boxes if you’re moving in the middle of summer. Take a note of anything that may need ironing or mending before it’s next worn. One other important thing to do here is make sure there’s a curtain (with curtain rail) or blind up in the room you’re planning to sleep and change in, or you could be in for a sleepless night.

5.     Tackle the Bathroom

The bathroom is the first room worth unpacking in its entirety. Putting medication, lotions and creams in the cupboard, finding your hairbrush and razor and having all of the comforts of towels and toilet roll is fairly quick and painless to do but can really start to make you feel at home.

6.     Pictures

Finally the decoration and personalisation can really begin, and it’s a chance to work your way around the house and set everything up just as you like it. Then you just need to get rid of your used moving boxes before the housewarming party can start.

What to do with your moving boxes

Figuring out what to do with your leftover boxes can be frustrating. The first thing that comes to mind is to put them out for the recycling collection, but if recycling isn’t for a few days then they could be invading the space in your home for longer than you are comfortable with. Here are a few ideas on what you can do with those space-sucking boxes.

Give Your Moving Boxes Away

People who are planning to move, are always looking for new boxes. Try finding a local Facebook page or message board to let people in your community know that you have a surplus of boxes to get rid of.

People who are moving or know someone who are moving will jump on the opportunity to grab a lot of boxes from one source rather than going from store to store asking for their spare boxes or worse having to buy them. You will be surprised how fast they will go. People aren’t just looking for boxes for moving house either, with plenty of charities and other organisations needing to store equipment and supplies.

Flat Pack and Store Your Moving Boxes

  • If you’ve just moved house, then chances are you’ll have moved a lot of stuff that doesn’t necessarily have a place in your new home. If you’ve made the (very sensible) decision to store some items, then why not consider storing some spare boxes too. You never know when they’ll come in handy.

Re-Purpose Your Moving Boxes

  • If you’re feeling crafty, there is a ton of ways to find a new use for your left-over boxes. Maybe the kids need a disposableplayhouse or a box maze in the playroom, or think forward to Halloween and help your son or daughter to create a cool robot costume.
  • Include the little ones in your repurposing project and make a craft day out of it.
  • Is Christmas or a special birthday around the corner? Why waste your money on gift boxes if you have a mountain of unused boxes to get rid of? Some wrapping paper, scissors and tape will transform your unused boxes into practically free gift boxes!
  • Websites like Pinterest have a lot of unique and fun ideas on what you can do with your unused boxes.

Protect your Floors with Moving Boxes

  • If you decided to treat your new home to some new furniture, then the last thing you want is the delivery man scratching up your new floors and freshly painted walls with your new stove and sofa. Laying your boxes flat on the floor as well as leaning against your new walls will protect your floors and walls from any potential damage.
  • If you want something more heavy duty than a dust sheet to protect your carpet when you’re painting, a cardboard moving box can be just the job as it offers a straight edge with just the right amount of flexibility. Just flatten out your box, tape up any gaps and make sure you’re flush to the wall.

All in all, there’s a whole host of uses for those handy cardboard boxes, so make sure you don’t just throw them away!

So there you have it, you’ve completed moving house and you’ve completed our guide. If you’ve found it useful why not share it with a friend? And remember, Storage Giant don’t just offer advice about moving house. We’re on hand to help with domestic and student storage, business units, flexible office space, PO boxes and even vehicle storage, so find a location near you to get started with storage.

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