Moving house is a big challenge and it’s one of the most stressful things people have to go through. Don’t let anyone tell you moving house is easy as a smooth move is somewhat of a myth. However, there are several ways to make it simpler, and a lot more organised.
Why Moving House is Never as Simple as It Looks
When you first decide you’re moving house, it all feels so organised in your head. You will colour-code boxes, create a spreadsheet, and have the van booked weeks in advance. You even say things like, “We’ll get it all done in a weekend.”
Then, reality hits.
- The kettle’s gone missing.
- You’ve packed the bin bags but not the bins.
- The cat is hiding somewhere between the sofa cushions and the existential dread of starting over.
Moving house, as it it turns out, isn’t a tidy little project but rather a full-contact sport with boxes.
The Things No One Warns You About Moving House
- You will lose your scissors.
No matter how many pairs you own, they’ll vanish into the same abyss as missing socks and phone chargers. - “Essentials” boxes are a myth.
The box labelled ESSENTIALS will, without fail, contain one sock, a ladle, and your 2017 council tax bill. - You will find something sticky.
Every cupboard hides one mysterious patch of stickiness that no cleaning product or scientist can explain. - The Allen key crisis is real.
You’ll swear on your life you kept it. You’ll find three spare ones a week later. - The neighbours will absolutely judge you.
Particularly when your front lawn becomes a cardboard graveyard that screams “we tried our best.”
The Packing Phase (or, The Seven Circles of Cardboard Hell)
At first, packing is thrilling; like life-size Tetris but then you realise it’s endless.
You start labelling boxes with optimism: Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom.
By day three, you’ve switched to Misc, Other Misc, Random and Absolutely No Idea.
Pro tip? Be honest with yourself. You’re not labelling for now; you’re labelling for a future version of you who will undoubtedly be tired, emotional, and swearing at cardboard in a week’s time.
And this is where self storage can quietly save your sanity. If you start boxing up non-essentials early, you can move them out of the way — creating space to breathe (and somewhere for the cat to hide that isn’t the washing machine).
Think of storage as the adult version of a magic portal: one minute your clutter’s there, the next, it’s safely out of sight.
Moving Day Madness
Then comes The Big Day.
The day you’ve been planning, dreading, and denying all at once.
You’ve barely slept. You’re wearing yesterday’s clothes. The removal van is “just around the corner” (for the past two hours).
It’s raining, obviously. Someone’s packed the loo roll. The kettle is still missing.
You tell yourself this is temporary, that one day you’ll look back and laugh. You will, but not yet.
At some point, someone will attempt to lift the sofa through a doorway that is clearly too small. You’ll discover new physics, new swear words, and a new appreciation for bubble wrap. Speaking of which, here are some fun things you can do with bubble wrap.
If you’re trying to keep the process on track, have a look at these expert tips on speeding up your move from the HomeOwners Alliance.
The Settling-In Stage (The Lie We Tell Ourselves)
Once the boxes are stacked and the keys are yours, you’ll tell yourself the hard part’s over. Well, it isn’t. Not really. You’ll unpack one box and immediately lose your motivation. You’ll have dinner surrounded by towers of “stuff,” like a post-apocalyptic fort.
Weeks later, you’ll still have boxes marked Decorations that you’re too scared to open because they rattle suspiciously. You’ll also realise your new home has 14 light switches and you have no idea what half of them do. And, somewhere along the way, you’ll discover you own four cheese graters and two irons but somehow, still no scissors.
The Secret No One Mentions When Moving House
Here’s what every experienced mover learns too late: self storage for moving house is the unsung hero of the whole operation.
- You don’t need to live in chaos.
- You don’t need to trip over boxes for weeks.
- Can simply move things in stages.
Start by storing what you won’t need straight away: seasonal clothes, spare furniture, or anything you’re not sure fits the new space yet. It buys you time, keeps your home liveable, and stops you from rushing decisions about what stays and what goes.
Bonus: you’ll rediscover your floor, your sanity, and possibly your missing kettle.
Read this handy guide on household storage and selling your home.
The Real Truth About Moving House
Everyone will tell you that moving house is stressful and they’d be right. But what they forget to mention is that it’s also a weirdly emotional process. It’s not just about boxes and logistics. It’s about the little moments:
- The last echo of your old home.
- That first cup of tea (if you ever find the kettle).
- The mix of exhaustion, excitement, and “what now?” that hits once the dust settles.
So here’s the truth: moving house will test your patience, your muscles, and your relationships. But it’s also proof that you’re still building, still growing, still brave enough to start fresh. And, if it ever feels too much, there’s always self storage and a takeaway pizza waiting to make things easier.
Expert Advice for Moving House
Every move has that moment — usually around box number 47 — when you wonder why you ever started this. Don’t worry. People have been there before, and they’ve left behind a few golden rules to help you survive the chaos.
- Choose Timing Over Speed
Moving house isn’t a race; it’s more like an endurance event with paperwork. If you can, move midweek or mid-month as it’s quieter, cheaper, and removal companies are less likely to vanish into “fully booked” limbo.
- Think Stages, Not Sprints
You don’t have to move everything at once. Pack the non-essentials early, move them out of the way, and give yourself breathing space. (This is where self storage quietly earns hero status.)
- Keep One Zone Chaos-Free
Whether it’s a corner, a sofa, or just a clear bit of floor, protect one tiny space of calm. You’ll need somewhere to sit with a brew and question all your life choices.
- Follow the Boring but Brilliant Advice
The experts at the HomeOwners Alliance suggest getting your paperwork and conveyancer sorted early. It’s not glamorous, but neither is chasing a missing leasehold pack two weeks before Christmas.
How Space Centre Self Storage Can Help When Moving House
If you’re in the middle of moving house, chances are you’ve got more boxes than floor space and a to-do list that keeps growing. That’s exactly where Space Centre Self Storage can make life simpler.
Whether you’re downsizing, renovating, waiting for completion, or just trying to declutter before the big move, a secure storage unit gives you flexibility and breathing room. You can move in stages, store your furniture safely while you clean or decorate, and unpack at your own pace without tripping over boxes for weeks.
All of our units are clean, dry, and secure, with easy access so you can pop in whenever you need. There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees, just straightforward pricing and friendly staff who’ve helped hundreds of families through exactly the same chaos. Here’s some more information on self storage costs, whether you need a short-term or long-term storage unit.
It’s not magic but when you’re knee-deep in cardboard and chaos, self storage is the next best thing when it comes to moving house.
Ready to make your next move smoother? Find a Space Centre Self Storage branch near you and make moving house a little less chaotic this time.