Whether you’re facing a massive downsizing crisis, or you just need a serious reorganization of your clutter, there are solutions to de-clutter your NYC apartment and make put any traces of OCD to rest.
Moving to a big city such as New York City is exciting and a dream for many, but with that big move often comes a (very) small apartment. While you might have tried all of your downsizing strategies, you’ll want to make the most of your tiny space, which means you will need to get creative.
Small space storage hacks are some of the most innovative ways to make sure that you can keep all of your precious possessions and still comfortably navigate your home. Here are 10 storage hacks for your apartment.
Use Your Walls
Odds are, you won’t have an issue finding space on the walls as you would on your floors. Large furniture and appliances only have one place to rest on; so don’t waste any space putting shelves or storage there.
Your walls are prime real estate for shelving and other wall-hung storage devices. Hang it all on the wall.
Baskets
Baskets are great for decoration and organization. You can fit more staff into tight spaces when it’s uniform and can be fit together. Baskets are great for underneath sink cabinets, in pantries, on shelves, and, you guessed it, hung on the wall.
Over-the-Door Shoe Holders
Shoe obsession or not, these are great and take up minimal space. Place one on the back of the bathroom door for toiletries and towels, and put one on your closet door for socks, underwear, and some accessories. If you have anything that can fit in the same space as a pair of shoes, a few of these are a perfect investment.
Use Corners to Your Advantage
Pieces of furniture against the wall can create a corner that is might be too small or another piece, but it a perfect spot to create more storage. Here is where you can install corner shelves, available in different sizes and styles, to keep small decorative items, remotes, and books.
Multipurpose Furniture
There’s no need to purchase additional storage-specific pieces when your furniture already provides some great storage compartments. Ottomans that open provide a whole storage box. You can build your own trundle bed with drawer or pullout storage, as well as build your headboard to include shelving it.
Store Your Furniture
That’s right. When you’re not using it, just fold it up. Perfect for studio apartments is the fan-favorite: a murphy bed. This bed is hinged at the bottom so that it can be stored vertically against the wall or inside a closet. When you’re up for the day, you have that much extra space.
There are other options for furniture that you can fold-up. Special tables, desks and even counter tops can be installed to be stored flat against a wall or into a cabinet when they are not being used.
Hanging fruit baskets
In the off chance that you lose space on your walls, try hanging storage from the ceiling. Fruit baskets are perfect storage devices, with multiple tiers to them, and can easily fit above something that already takes up space on the floor, such as a side table, a toilet, or a counter.
8. Bed risers: a college classic.
Bed risers are often seen in cramped college dorm room, but these are great additions to any post-grad, small apartment lifestyle. Risers are about 8 inches tall, allowing you to store more under a normal bed, or even add a short set of drawers. As an added bonus, many of them also have power and USB outlets outlet.
Closet Hacks
Wooden hangers are bulky and some closet storage systems that are professionally installed can be great, but super pricey. Instead, make the most of the hangers you already have by adding S hooks or chains to them, allowing you to add several hangers while taking up the space of one.
Some other options you have for your closet is to add another rod for hangers, hang hooks on the back walls or back of the doors, and hanging a cork board on the door for jewelry and accessories.
Get creative with drawer space.
Everything is limited here. You can find organizers for drawers in many shapes and sizes to help you neatly squeeze what you need into them. Similar to the basket concept, you can usually fit more in a space when it is uniformly organized. For things that don’t fit- hang it on the wall. You can actually install a wall magnet that can hold your knife collection and other large kitchen utensils.
Lucky for you, when you still manage to run out of space for your wide array of belongings, you can use our storage services that are right for you.
Storage in New York City can get expensive. Divine Moving & Storage makes NYC storage affordable so you don’t break the bank moving. Call today for your free moving estimate! 212-244-4011
The process of moving to a new home in New York City is an often an overwhelming one. It is generally advised to create a list and add to it as you remember new things you need to do. No matter how early you start this list, you will invariably miss a few things on it. Below are six things you might have forgotten to add to your list.
Optimize Your Move Date
Easy, right? Just call up the best moving company you can find within your budget and set a date. Done. Check off the list. Did you get a good deal or were you trying to clear your list as quickly as possible? Moves are expensive, saving money where you can and setting your move date correctly are quick ways to keep money in your wallet.
Choose mid-week, mid-month moving dates. You usually get better deals because they are slow times. Peak times, when demands are high at the beginning and end of each month will cost you more than a pretty penny for them to squeeze you in. For the best deal, try to move between October and April when demand for moving companies is ‘off season’. check our off-peak dates calendar for the best deal days- Reduced Rate Dates
Transferring Your Utilities
The timing of the transfer is tricky while setting up your move date. The last thing you want is to show up to your new home and the lights are not on. Make a list of all the utilities you need at the new home and work your way down it giving the utility companies a firm date on when to turn off your current location’s utilities and turn them on at the new home.
Electrical
Water
Gas
Internet/Cable
In New York City, many of those utilities will already be ready to go or may be included in the rent if you are renting. Check with your landlord or the rental agreement to find out. Click here for direct links to the utilities websites
Moving Prescriptions
This one usually slips through the cracks until you order much needed prescriptions for your health and realize your health provider sent it to your old pharmacy…across town. While this is not the end of the world, a simple phone call can save you a lot of time and annoyance getting it transferred to a nearby pharmacy.
Pack an Essentials Bag
Think of it as a grab bag if you were running from the law. You will need a few basic necessities when moving to a new home until you can establish yourself.
Clothes
Toiletries including toilet paper
Cleaning supplies
Charges for electrical gadgets
Toolkit
Cash
There are plenty more things you could pack in the bag. Think about the day to day life of a normal week and think about what items you use regularly. Need your coffee in the morning and the Keurig is still packed? Throw in Starbucks bottled coffee to get you through the morning.
What Movers Can't Move
Surprise! You cannot transport certain items by moving company. There is a list of items that every moving company will refuse to haul. Ask for that list if it is not hosted on their company website. Divine's is here. Some are restricted by State or Federal law, and some are the company’s choice due to liability or complexity. These items can include: paints, pesticides, scuba tanks, propane tanks, extinguishers, fertilizer to name a few. For a complete list, ask your moving company. Some things like cleaning solvents are best transported by you.
New Home Measurements
The last thing on the list, that is most often forgotten about, is your new home’s measurements. Will the couch in the old place fit in the new one? Have you measured out all the furniture making the transition? Nothing is worse than putting all that effort into packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and then while unpacking you find out the dining room table does not fit. It is embarrassing and induces panic on what to do with the table. Avoid that by measuring the new home and having a plan on what to do with each piece of furniture.
Moving will always be a hassle, but going through your to do list and being as thorough as possible will help go from an overwhelming potential disaster to a controlled chaos ending in that new home feel and immense relief when it is finally over.
Divine Moving & Storage is the best licensed and insured moving company in NYC. We specialize in quick, efficient when moving, and easy packing, moving and storage services. Call today for a free quote! 212-244-4011
The task of packing up your NYC apartment and moving is like standing in front of a mountain with a roll of packing tape and overwhelming sense of hopelessness trying to find out where to start. To make a molehill out of a mountain, the first step is knowing how to avoid losing both time and money as well as preventing injury to yourself. Knowing these costly moving mistakes are key to arming yourself for the task ahead.
Moving Mistake 1- Packing Heavy Items Incorrectly
Sometimes we associate HEAVY with LARGE. For every heavy item, the goal is to put it in the smallest possible box that it will fit in. This will give you or our movers a better grip when carrying the box around and make it easier on your back and shoulders. You rarely want to pack too much stuff with your heavy items for fear of them breaking if the heavy item were to shift in the box.
Clearly mark a heavy box as heavy. The last thing you want is to see a small to medium box when you are already tired and you forget it has something heavy in it. That is a good way to end up on the ground with ice on a thrown back.
Moving Mistake 2- Forgetting To Take Measurements
This is mentioned a lot. People still forget to do it. Make sure your furniture will fit in the room of your new home. Before that, make sure it will fit through the door first. The moving effort bottlenecks very quickly when you have a stuck piece of furniture and a bunch of people standing around wondering what to do.
Moving Mistake 3- Take a Moment to Label
Never leave blank boxes. Always label your boxes with the contents and which room they go in. Having to move everything into the living room and then again to whatever room it was supposed to go in after the box has been opened is a pain and wastes time. If someone is hauling it into the new home, they might as know where it goes before putting it down in the first place.
Moving Mistake 4- Skipping Your Write-Offs
Did you know you can write off many of the expenses of moving? Every dollar you can save or get back while going through this taxing (pun intended) process is worth the extra effort of keeping a few receipts around.
Moving Mistake 5- Changing Your Address
Forgetting to change your address could cost you in late fees of bills that you forgot about. Or even lose birthday cards full of money. If you have very nice family and friends, they might send you house warming gifts or gift cards to help you reestablish yourself in your new home. You would get none of that if you forget to change your address. It is a simple process and takes only a few minutes of your time.
Saving Money Makes Life Easy
Saving money here and there adds up and eases the burden of a mover’s cost. Once that cost becomes more affordable, the mountain has truly become a small hill because the packing and moving stress and effort has been moved over to a professional. The sun can now shine and you can focus on the other things that matter.
Moving Made Easy in NYC: There’s moving the hard way, and then there’s moving the Divine Way. Call today for the easiest move in the 5 boroughs.
Tips When Combining decor Styles with Your Significant Other
So you’ve had the talk with your significant other about moving in together. While this is an exciting new chapter in your relationship, it can also be filled with new stresses and challenges. As you prepare for the big move, let’s discuss some important tips to keep in mind to guide you through this process.
Where to move?
The first step is to figure out where you’re going to move in NYC. If you already have your own space, it can be a difficult decision to leave and move somewhere new - but change is healthy! If you’re having trouble deciding who will give up their own space, there are a few things to consider. Who has a bigger space? Who has the lowest cost of rent? Who has the better neighborhood? Stay in Manhattan- Move to Brooklyn? If you can’t come to a decision, then consider looking into a fresh new place. That way you both are starting from scratch and you can start to make your new place feel like a home together.
What’s this move going to cost?
Before you sign any type of paperwork, make sure you sit down with your significant other to go over financial details. This won’t be the last time you ever discuss finances with your sweetie, so start to get comfortable talking about this topic. Be sure to discuss how you plan to pay for rent and utilities, along with other expenses such as furniture, entertainment, and groceries. Look into a budgeting app, like this one here, to keep you both accountable for your expenses as you start this journey together.
Who is going to help you move?
Let’s face it - moving is emotionally and physically exhausting. After figuring out your budget, look into a moving service that can help relieve some of that stress for the big move. By using a professional moving service, such as Divine Moving and Storage we will help to determine the best date/time to move, manpower and fees that you will need to consider. Divine offers full range of services including packing and unpacking as well as furniture disposal and storage.
What should be kept and what needs to be thrown out?
Since you’re going to be moving in with your significant other it’s a good idea to make an inventory list of what you both own, what you plan to keep and anything that you will need to buy once you’re settled in your new place. This way you will avoid the change of bringing duplicates of the same items.
What is going to be your decor style?
Determining the decor style for your new NYC home can be a struggle. Remember you want this to be a fresh start for both of you. While you’re deciding what items are going to make the move and what pieces will be new additions to your home, start talking about what styles you both like - you’ll want to find a happy medium. If there is room in your budget, lean on the expertise of a professional interior designers to give you some style ideas that you both can agree on.
Who is in charge of what?
Living alone vs living with a roommate in NYC can be very different. While you get acclimated to living with your significant other, discuss what chores you both will be in charge of around your new home. While cleaning can be a hassle, it’s important that you both are considerate of your messes and follow through with your end of the bargain.
What happens now?
Now that you’re going to be seeing your significant other 24/7 it’s important to equally plan alone time, as well as time spent together. Whether it’s getting drinks with your friends after work or joining an intramural team, make sure you’re finding time for your own separate hobbies and friends. But keep in mind to not let date nights slip away. If going out on dates fits into your post-move budget, try out a new restaurant or go to a concert together. Or look into some creative “stay-in” date night ideas to save money. If you’re having trouble coming up with what to do, Pinterest has some great date night ideas to help you continue to connect as a new couple in your new home.
Be sure to follow along on our blog for more moving tips and expertise or call 212-244-4011
Moving can be exacting. Carrying boxes, yelling commands at movers and similar activities common with this task will often put a strain on you. Also, there is the emotional burden created by moving. Leaving your family, close friends and people you have gotten comfortable with can be difficult. While adequate rest and getting acquainted with your environment could help, it takes time.
The period after moving shouldn’t be difficult. There are lots of ways you can make your post-moving period less stressful. Follow the tips below, and you should get your life back on track without much fuss.
Be optimistic
Your outlook decides everything! The age-long talks about optimism and pessimism apply in this regard. See moving as a fun task, and it would be just that. If your thoughts about moving are mostly negative, you will likely find yourself feeling lethargic after relocating.
Yes, moving can be exhausting, but it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s your chance to get rid of unimportant things and perhaps, redirect your energy towards what counts. But, all this will only happen if you're optimistic about the task itself.
Have a plan
Congratulations! Getting a new house is no mean feat.
With a move completed successfully, it is time to get your ducks in a row. Planning is one way to achieve that. Time is of the essence, especially after a move. Have a plan and work smart.
You should have everything you need so you can maximize every minute you find yourself at home. A post-move period could be just as daunting as moving, so tread carefully.
Plow through those boxes
After moving, you are stuck in a house muddled with boxes and furniture. Unlike moving, unpacking can be done at your own pace. Yes, it takes time, but that’s not an excuse to delay putting your house in order.
Getting comfortable in your new home is dependent on how quickly you put things in their proper location. Use the labels on the boxes to identify what goes where. The bedroom and bathroom labels would usually be the first to get your attention. Plow through the boxes starting from the most important till you get to the frivolous stuff.
How about a familiarization tour?
Yes, it’s your home, but it is new. You will need to learn about every segment of the house. This might take a long time, but this first attempt could be decisive.
A tour can uncover any security underbelly unknown to you. Also, you can pick up signs of a possible bug infestation which could undermine the comfort in your new home. Identify the position of safety gimmicks around the house. By having this tour, you can find out just how impregnable your new house is to the elements.
Time to change your postal address
With a change in residence comes another responsibility – changing your postal address. This is to avoid your mail being sent to your previous house. The easiest way to do this is by locating the nearest post office and request to have your postal address changed.
While effecting the change shouldn’t take time, you can still get in contact with the new occupant(s) at your previous residence. They could help redirect any of your mail which gets to their home.
Get a new healthcare provider
Switching houses comes with some unwanted changes. Your health caregiver(s) belong to this category. Regardless of how comfortable you felt with your doctor, you will have to say goodbye – unless of course you can afford to make the trip back to his office in your old neighborhood.
To get a new healthcare giver, talk to colleagues and friends. They will likely recommend several professionals. Just make your pick depending on what sort of medical help you are looking for.
Build friendships
Moving often breaks friendship ties built over years. This could create emotional stress and loneliness. Making new friends will help soothe the pain you feel. Interact with your colleagues and don’t forget to visit public places where you can meet new people. However, always keep in touch with your friends from your previous residence. It helps mend the wounds created by moving.
Explore your new surrounding
Your move into a new residence means you will have to get supplies from a different source. Exploring the city is the best way to know where to get those. Also, knowing more about the city and the structures within can help you get the closure you seek after relocating.
Full Service Storage in NYC isn’t just a dream: With Divine Moving & Storage it’s as easy as call, book, store. Call today for your free quote! 212-2444011
There is a tendency to focus on the negatives when we find ourselves having to move in NYC. The mind is plagued with anxieties. We question our decision with questions like: What is the new place going to offer? Do I really have to leave here? Just why am I leaving? And the biggest of all, "Can I really afford it?” Truth is, these may often be rhetorical but they do have answers. You can make the best of your moving today, even profiting from it through the traditional garage sale - which I might add have been booming in recent times.
Business is all about maximizing profit -except you are a multinational company with one of those big labels, then we can add CSR interests. The point is, home movers have found a new and amazing way of making as much profit as they can through these sales and it is totally practical.
There is a proven set of steps to follow, to get the best out of your sale day. It is easy and most New Yorkers who have moved recently can testify to that. The most important thing is to have at the back of your mind the reason you are making this sale. If you carefully follow through with the laid out rules, you are assured of a profiting garage sale.
It usually begins with all your sentimental attachments to the things you want to sell and discovering you may just be able to make some cash from all that stuff. Now you begin to realize it could help cover a debt, with moving costs or could just serve as extra cash for the rainy day.
CREATE A PLAN
The best results usually achieved often starts with proper planning. As soon as you have made the decision to sell off, the time for the garage sale should be fixed smartly. If you find yourself in a location where garage sales are popular, you are at an advantage, as you will tap into a free expose and traffic. All you have to do is fix your own sale at the same time as the others. There are often communities which you could join up and make your own sales. If you are not a community person then all you have to do is set up at the right time. You might reside in an area where garage sales are not as popular but that is okay. You just have to pick the right date, and Saturdays are best.
HYPE YOUR GARAGE SALE UP
Basically, whatever you want to do, creating hype is the smart way to go. It is best you create a form of expectancy for your sale. You can put up adverts with your local paper. It is just being "pound wise". You put in a few dollars to popularize your little market. There are many other ways of creating this hype and you should not fail to utilize the quickest and easiest of all - the use of social media.
Make sure to make the anticipated garage sale big on your page, weeks beforehand. If you belong to any WhatsApp group or community where such a post will not be out of place, you can post there a week or two beforehand. Remember, it is important to know your target audience.
If you are going to post online, do not forget to take pictures of your items up for sale. Nobody wants to buy 'words' at a yard sale, but if they get to see what they want, then you can expect huge interest. Your biggest platform to post this is on Craigslist. You can also experiment with other classified ads websites.
You'd love to snag a sale, you should consider not being specific about certain items. You don't want a suburban mom pricing your priced figurines or any such thing as a toy for her child.
THROW IN SOME FUN!
No better way to keep the potential clients still hooked up on the idea of buying of that 80s CD, than to have your music booming in the background, with a little snack to go along. You should make sure to keep the sale as fun as possible because if the mood is dull, your buyer might associate it with the item he or who wants to pick.
Also, be sure to have your change on you at all times to be able to sell off quickly before interest is lost. An assistant or two will be useful to keep the buyers occupied and you should be careful about pricing.
You do not have to sell off a valuable item for less. Remember you have Craigslist. On the other hand, be careful not to attach too high a price on any item due to its sentimental value and not market value.
A garage sale is simply one of the most exciting ways of maximizing profits through moving sales. You to make your move easier and more convenient by getting rid of stuff you don’t need or use anymore and picking up cash for them!
8 Tips to Make Your Mover Love You AKA Moving Game Plan
Moving in NYC is a painful process. It involves a mind for logistics, preparation, sentimentality, and hard work. When hiring professionals, especially in New York City, it removes a lot of the stress you go through during a move. Movers take the heavy burden and heavy lifting off your shoulders. Since this work is hard, there are some things you can do to make their job easier and more efficient saving you time and money in the process.
Prepare for The Movers
Hiring movers is not as hands-off as you want in NYC or any city. They manage the logistics of the move, the packing and hauling, and the storage of your stuff. Preparation is still required on your part. Make sure they have a place to park their truck. In cramped streets of New York City, it is hard to find a place for trucks to park so they can load and unload your things. Take this into consideration and plan with the property manager or city to set time and space aside. Movers cannot help you if they have nowhere to park.
Have a Moving Game Plan
When the movers arrive at the location they need to pack or wrap everything and empty room by room, it is a good idea to have a plan of action. If you have none, they will do their best, as professionals with experience, to pack what they think makes sense. However, they do not know which stuff you consider a priority over others, or what needs to be set aside. If you take the hands-off approach to their packing, you may be looking for items for a long time not knowing which box something ends up in.
Pack Your Fragile Items
Make fragile items your responsibility. The movers will pack your items as carefully as they can but they are on the clock. A clock you are paying for. They do not want to drag their feet so there is a balance between careful packing and getting the job done. It is strongly recommended that the owner of the fragile items be the one to pack them. That way, they have the control and time to carefully wrap their items to keep them safe. Label them clearly on multiple sides of a box to note the fragile item so when it is being loaded and unloaded, the professionals will know to take extra care.
Group Like-Items Together
If the movers are packing out your stuff, do your best to group items together. This will help keeping like items together and also in the unpacking later. If board games and clothes are in fifteen different boxes because they were spread throughout an apartment, how will you ever find what you are looking for? Try to keep it together so it is easier for the movers to pack and, at the other end, easy for you to know what to unpack.
Storage or No Storage
New York City is not known for its vast storage in most apartments. Sometimes storage units are a necessary evil. When hiring professional NYC movers, life becomes much easier if the movers have their own storage facility. Companies like Divine Moving offer such services. If storage is needed, clearly indicate what stuff needs to go to storage. This to differentiates what needs to be set aside at their storage facility and what needs to go to the new location.
Clear Separation of Immediate Needs
When movers are packing you out of your old place, make sure you set aside things you will need immediately upon moving to the new location. Leaving everything lying around will ensure the movers packing up needed items in boxes with non-immediately needed stuff. When the movers do not have to ask if something should be set aside, then they can move more quickly and efficiently. This helps you as well. More often than not, once you are at your new home, it can take time to go through and unpack all your boxes and find the right place for all the items. It is less stressful when you are not frantically digging through boxes looking for that one item you needed yesterday.
Get Out of the Way
Once the game plan is communicated, everything is grouped and separated, and all is ready to go…get out of the way. The movers are professional. They do this daily and are good at it. Letting them get into the rhythm of their task at hand without interruption is key to a fast, painless move.
Tipping Your Movers
You tip waitresses, you tip your hair dresser, you should tip your mover. While not required, it is proper etiquette to do so. Their effort should be appreciated for lifting and hauling heavy furniture, protecting your walls and floors, and protecting your stuff and tipping is the best way to do so. It is also common decency to offer cold drinks like water or sports drinks if you have them.
The caveat here is their interaction with you. If they act like professionals, show you curtesy, and listen and follow your requests, then a tip is deserved. If they do not, then just like at a restaurant, it is not deserved. Please do not confuse cool, determined, professionalism with indifference. The movers are single-minded in getting their job done quickly and done well.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
These eight tips will make your moving experience with professional movers run smooth and relatively pain-free. We all know how overwhelming moving can be and with the myriad of things to do on your check-off list, these few tips will ease the burden of the move itself and make your movers love and appreciate you.
NYC trusts Divine Moving & Storage’s premium White Glove relocation service to take care of all their moving needs. Our professional moving specialists have years of experience packing up priceless works of art, antiques, crystal, china, and even musical instruments. With Divine, you never have to worry about damage because we take the time to ensure your valuables are protected and safe for the entire time they’re in our care. For a luxury move without the luxury price tag, call Divine 212-244-4011
Moving in NYC is not stressful at all. Why, all you do is pick up a couple boxes and shift them around. You are good to go. Roll credits.
If you believed that, I have a bridge to sell you in New York City. Stress is the biggest, more taxing part of any NYC move. There are so many moving parts, a number of people involved, and so many things to remember to change that you feel as though the weight on your chest is drowning you. Reducing your stress will make moving in NYC survivable and here we will tell you how.
Acceptance
Just the thought of moving your apartment and you already feel anxious, there is no completely stress free move. Accepting that stress is part of the moving process will help steel your inner self to understanding you must go through it to get to the light on the other side. Throughout our lives, especially with kids or our work place, we accept stress as a part of our daily life. While moving includes a higher level of stress than normal, it is still something we can take on for this short burst of time.
Plan for Time
Time is one of the larger problems in a move. You are trying to wrap up your time at the old home, get into the new home. You are trying to time the utility hook ups and shut offs, you are trying to get the movers ready and give them enough time to get everything done.
This is not a high school book report. You cannot wait until the last minute to plan everything. In fact, the sooner you start planning and preparing, the easier moving day will be. Some steps, like planning movers or a moving truck need to be done well in advance to avoid them not being available on the date you need them.
Packing your apartment will take time. Most people keep putting it off until it is the last minute and they become overwhelmed and fall victim to paralysis by analysis. Start way in advance. Pack one box a day for a full month and you suddenly have thirty or so boxes packed up and ready to go. The slow, methodical process of a box a day will allow for careful packing and labeling. A rush job could mean mislabeling or worse, broken stuff.
We at Divine Moving understand that the best laid plans are only good until the first bullet is fired but having no time to plan will bring chaos and disaster so give yourself time to plan and prepare.
Organization is the Key to Victory
Make a list. Put it on your phone, or the back of an envelope. No one really cares. Just make one. Keep it on hand every day until the move. Add stuff as it comes to mind and tick stuff off as you complete them. By the time moving day has arrived and seeing all the checked off tasks, you will feel more in control from having accomplished so much. You will have minimized the number of tasks that might get missed and rarely are those tasks that are forgotten monumentally important.
No one in NYC has time for the hassle of moving. For a stress free move if you want everything taken care of for you New York City move call Divine for a quick, stress-free, and easy move. We pack you up and move you into your new home in a New York minute. That way you can get back to what’s important: Living your life! For a quick move, call Divine. Divine Moving & Storage is moving in a flash! 212-244-4011
Learn How To Reduce Your Moving Stress: Tips from Divine Moving and Storage
Moving to a new home or office can be an exciting yet stressful experience. The key to a smooth transition lies in proper planning and organization. At Divine Moving and Storage, we understand the challenges of moving and are here to help you reduce your moving stress with expert tips and strategies. Follow our comprehensive guide to make your move as stress-free as possible.
1. Start Early and Plan Ahead
Begin Planning Early: The earlier you start planning your move, the better. Create a moving checklist and timeline to stay organized and ensure you don't overlook any important tasks. Aim to start planning at least two months before your moving date.
Set a Budget: Moving can be expensive, so it's important to set a budget and stick to it. Factor in costs for moving supplies, professional movers, transportation, and any other expenses that may arise.
2. Declutter and Downsize
Sort and Declutter: Before you start packing, take the time to declutter your home or office. Sort through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Reducing the number of items you need to move can save you time, money, and effort.
Organize a Garage Sale: If you have items you no longer need but are still in good condition, consider organizing a garage sale. This is a great way to earn some extra money and lighten your load before the move.
3. Hire Professional Movers
Research and Choose Reputable Movers: Hiring a professional moving company can significantly reduce your stress. Research and choose a reputable moving company with positive reviews and a track record of successful moves. Divine Moving and Storage offers reliable and comprehensive moving services to make your move hassle-free.
Get Multiple Quotes: Contact several moving companies to get detailed quotes. Compare their services, prices, and customer reviews to make an informed decision. Be wary of unusually low quotes, as they may indicate subpar service or hidden fees.
4. Pack Smartly and Efficiently
Gather Packing Supplies: Ensure you have all the necessary packing supplies, including boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Having the right supplies on hand will make the packing process smoother and more efficient.
Label Boxes Clearly: Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking easier and help you keep track of your belongings. Consider using color-coded labels for different rooms to further streamline the process.
Pack an Essentials Box: Pack a box with essential items you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home or office. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medications, and basic kitchen supplies. Keep this box easily accessible during the move.
5. Take Care of Utilities and Address Changes
Notify Utilities and Services: Contact your utility providers to schedule the disconnection of services at your current location and the connection of services at your new one. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable.
Update Your Address: Notify important parties of your address change, including the post office, banks, insurance providers, and any subscriptions you have. Update your address with friends, family, and employers as well.
6. Stay Organized and Calm
Create a Moving Binder: Keep all your moving-related documents, receipts, and checklists in a moving binder. This will help you stay organized and have important information readily available.
Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated: Moving can be physically and mentally exhausting. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and ensure you eat properly to maintain your energy levels.
7. Seek Support from Friends and Family
Ask for Help: Don't hesitate to ask friends and family for help with packing, moving, or watching your kids or pets during the move. Having extra hands can make the process much more manageable.
Plan a Moving Day Strategy: Coordinate with your helpers and assign specific tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly on moving day. Clear communication and teamwork can significantly reduce stress.
8. Trust the Experts at Divine Moving and Storage
At Divine Moving and Storage, we specialize in making your move as stress-free as possible. Our experienced team handles every aspect of your move with professionalism and care, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home or office. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and experience the difference of a seamless move.
Call us at (212) 244-4011 to speak with one of our moving experts.
Even though moving can be stressful for anyone, we know it especially impacts your children as they come to terms with all the changes coming up—a new school, new friends, new community activities, and more. Moving Day itself can seem overwhelming for kids too, as they say goodbye to the memories they’ve made in their old home and neighborhood. Here are our top four tips for making the move as easy on your kids as possible:
Let them be a part of the moving process.
Aside from the normal fears children may experience regarding the big changes created by moving, your kids are also affected by your planning efforts leading up to the move. The time you spend organizing belongings, packing up boxes, and arranging for Moving Day may take away time from your normal play and daily interactions with your children. Instead, let them be a part of the exciting transition!
Have your kids help you decide which of their old toys and books should be donated to other kids in need. Talk to them about how their generosity will change someone else’s life for the better. If you need help finding a great local nonprofit to support with these donations, we suggest NYC Mammas Give Back, which has two drop-off locations in Manhattan. This organization distributes donated childcare items (such as clothing, high chairs, and toys) to women and children living in shelters across the city. Another great charity is The Thrifty HoG, which is a thrift shop supporting homeless mothers. The moms receive job training and build up their work experience as employees of the shop, and all profits from the store’s sales assist the moms as they move into permanent housing.
Your kids can also help you pack up the belongings you will be moving to the new house. Turn packing into a game, such as Stuffed Animal Basketball, where they can “shoot baskets” by tossing stuffed animals into a box. You can also have them help you clean your home for the landlord or new owners—see who can clean the most baseboards, or who can vacuum the fastest.
Prepare them ahead of time for Moving Day.
If you can, try to find a family member or friend who will keep the kids occupied during the day of your move. This way, you don’t have to worry about keeping an eye on your children, movers, and belongings all at the same time. Having your kids stay busy somewhere else can also cut down on their boredom or anxiety during the transition.
If you will need to have the kids on-site during Moving Day, we suggest putting together a “Day of Move” box for them. Make sure this box is small enough for them to carry on their own, and fill it with activities that can keep them entertained and out of harm’s way during the move. For example, you could include their coloring books, a craft activity, and a good book to read.
Your kids can also help with the unpacking.
In the same way your children can contribute to your relocation, they can also help you settle into your new home. Give your kids ownership of their bedrooms, and have them unpack their toy boxes to arrange the rooms the way they want. If unpacking doesn’t sound very appealing to them, turn it into a game! Create a “reverse scavenger hunt,” where they have to find a list of belongings to unpack and put away. Let them know you’ll all work together to make a fort out of the used moving boxes when the monotonous task of unpacking is finished.
Focus on the positive!
Although moving definitely comes with challenges, there are so many exciting parts of a relocation! Tell your kids why you’re looking forward to living in your new home—maybe your children will have a new playroom, or new bunk beds. Maybe one parent is moving for a new job which will allow them to have more time for family vacations.
After you name some favorable aspects about the move, challenge each child to find three or four fun things they can do in their new neighborhood. For example, you might be moving closer to a branch of the New York Public Library, near a playground, or next to a free pool! Make sure you make an effort to visit some of the activities they list soon after the move so they can carry the enthusiasm through their adjustment period.
You can also ease some of the anxiety that comes with a new home by familiarizing your children with their new environment early on. Before school starts, take them on a walk through their new schoolyard and playground. Set up a tour with the administration so they can walk through the hallways and get an idea of where the cafeteria, library, and gym are located. Consider signing them up for a local YMCA or “little league” so they can make some new friends in the community.
For a stress free move in NYC, look no farther than Divine Moving & Storage. For 20 years, New York City has relied on Divine to make moving a breeze! 212-244-4011
We get it– You’re a millennial moving in Manhattan itching to dive into your move and set yourself up for success in your new place. No matter how many times you’ve moved before, relocating in NYC can be one hell of a headache. Contrary to what you might assume, moving in the city can be done smoothly, affordably and without losing your mind. Divine Moving and Storage has compiled a list of tips for Millennials to help take the stress out of moving in Manhattan.
Hire Moving Help
We totally understand the desire to do it yourself and save a couple dollars, but let’s be honest, furniture is heavy. Why risk hurting yourself or dropping your favorite lamp down a flight of stairs when Divine Moving and Storage makes NYC moving so easy and affordable?
Create a Packing List
If you’re moving for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll forget something. There is nothing worse than coming to the end of moving day and finally parking your bum on the couch only to realize you left your television remote control on the counter in your old apartment. Checking things off a list as you go is a great way to avoid forgetting anything you’ll regret later.
Downsize Unwanted Items
Take into consideration the size of your new home. How much extra stuff have you accumulated since your last move? Should you downsize? Donating things or giving them away on craigslist is a great option if you have some time to work with. If you don’t, NYC Department of Sanitation is pretty cool about curb side pick-up and will take just about anything that isn’t metal or electronic. Remember that mattresses must be enclosed in a mattress bag and curb side electronic disposal is not permitted per NY laws. This means tables, chairs, sofas and other miscellaneous items are a yes; TVs, DVD players, and computers are a no.
Carefully Choose your Move-In Date
Remember, this is New York City! Weekend moves are definitely recommended but don’t always fall on the first of the month. Try reaching out to both your new and prior landlords to coordinate a weekend date that works for everyone. Typically, landlords are willing to give you the keys a couple days early to allow for a weekend move. This gives you time to get things in order before you strut back to work on Monday gloating about your new place.
Gather Moving Supplies in Advance
No one wants to be packing up their last box and realize they’ve run out of packing tape. Compile a list of necessary moving supplies in advance.
Some things you’ll need to purchase include:
-Boxes (Small, Medium and Large)
-Packing Tape
-Bubble Wrap
-Markers for Labeling Boxes
-Cleaning Supplies (Paper Towels, Glass cleaner, etc.)
-Cash for tipping your movers
No one in NYC has time for the hassle of moving. If you want everything taken care of for you New York City move call Divine for a quick, stress-free, and easy move. We pack you up and move you into your new home in a New York minute. That way you can get back to what’s important: Living your life! For a quick move, call Divine.
Divine Moving & Storage is moving in a flash! 212-244-4011
Moving Day can be stressful enough when you’re moving with great weather conditions… It’s definitely not an easy task to load up everything you own in one truck, move it across the city or even between states, and then set up everything in the right place at your new home. However, relocating under unpleasant weather conditions such as rain, snow, and ice can exacerbate the problem. Here are the strategies we’ve learned work best for completing a successful NYC move in bad weather:
Make sure your belongings are adequately protected.
Divine Moving’s professionals are always prepared to wrap your furniture in moving blankets and plastic wrap before exposing it to the elements on the way to our trucks. We also bring floor runners to your home to minimize the frequency that our movers have to walk on your carpeting with muddy shoes. However, there are steps you should take before our movers arrive to make sure your stuff is kept safe from water and wind.
First, you should make sure you’re only packing your smaller odds and ends into new, sturdy boxes as opposed to “free” used boxes available at grocery stores and other retailers. Used boxes have already been weakened from storing merchandise through transit, and depending on what items they contained, may be damaged from moisture and contain pests. When used boxes are exposed to stormy weather, it’s likely that they will fall apart while being lifted into the truck, or even collapse from the weight of other items during the drive over to your new location. Ask us about the professional boxes we sell for your move.
You should also consider wrapping your mattresses in mattress bags to protect them against precipitation, pests, and dirt before they’re moved. These bags are fairly inexpensive and are also available for sale from our store. Simply ask your scheduling agent to have the crew bring some out on your moving day, and your movers can place your mattresses in the bags before loading them into the truck.
Check out your moving company’s trucks first.
Did you know most moving companies don’t own the trucks they use every day? Usually, moving companies rent trucks from U-Haul, Enterprise, or a similar company each morning before heading out to their customers’ homes and businesses because it’s cheaper than purchasing and maintaining their own fleet. Fortunately, Divine Moving owns all of its trucks, so we stay up to date on any issues that could potentially harm your belongings, such as holes in the roof caused by driving underneath tree branches, pests or spills from previous renters. Our trucks are marked with our logo and built for household moves with air ride suspensions and more.
Have your movers park strategically.
When moving in bad weather that could harm your belongings, it’s a good idea to minimize the amount of time your things are being carried outside between your home and the moving truck. If your house has a driveway that can support the weight of a moving truck, have your movers back into the driveway so they can quickly move things from your front door to the truck. If you’re living in an apartment complex or moving out of an office building that has a parking garage, check to see if the garage has the overhead clearance to allow the truck to park inside. This way, no precipitation should have to touch your belongings at all. If the complex doesn’t have a garage, try and schedule a moving date with your property manager so you can reserve space in front of the building where the truck can be parked for a few hours.
No matter where you’re moving from, be sure you do not ask your movers to park in a yard or field. When it’s raining, snowing, or hailing (or even if it has recently stormed in the past couple of days), a heavy truck will sink into the mud and have to be towed out of the ground.
Address safety concerns before the move begins.
If you know there are safety concerns in your home or office complex, make sure you take care of these problem spots and warn your movers before they begin the job. Are there any wooden steps that become weak and slippery when wet? Does water pool in any lower areas of the ground? Does any snow need to be shoveled, or do any walking surfaces need to be salted before ice can freeze? Make sure we take care of these issues before anyone gets hurt.
Unwrap belongings when the move is over.
While it’s important to wrap belongings bringing them into the rain or snow to prevent water from getting in, it’s also vital to unwrap furniture and pictures in a timely manner once they’ve been moved to their new location. These items may already have had moisture inside before being wrapped, and locking this moisture in can cause mildew to grow.
More bad weather moving tips and general moving tips can be found here:
Donating your unwanted items to a worthy cause is a beautiful thing. Helping out local charities with more resources to help disadvantaged people by providing accessible options are a sure fire way in making the world a better place. And what's not to love about donating our items? Not only you'll feel good about helping your fellow New Yorkers, but your mind will be at ease knowing that your unwanted items will be put to good use.
Below, here are a list of resources (categorized by type) if you're looking for reputable donation organizations to give away your items. Be sure to read over the requirements before mailing (or dropping off).
Donate furniture, Clothing, Jewelry and Shoes
We've all been there - whenever there's a sale at our favorite online store (we're looking at you Old Navy, Amazon and Zappos), we take advantage of the discounts. In most cases, we usually wear them once or twice and never bother seeing them again in our closets. When it comes time to clean out our closets, it's often a surprising feeling on how much clothing, jewelry and shoes we accumulated. There are many donation organizations that accept clothing, jewelry and shoes. However, the top four donation places listed below are well known to those who are looking for an easier way to provide their unwanted items, without the hassle.
For makeup and beauty lovers - when was the last time you did a quick check on your haul sprees? You may find some products on your shelf that were rarely used. Perhaps a friend or relative may have gifted you the wrong lipstick shade of color or made a mistake in buying the incorrect foundation color. Rather than throwing out your makeup and beauty products, consider donating them to Project Beauty Share. According to their website, the main purpose for Project Beauty share is to "collect personal hygiene, cosmetics and beauty products and distributes them through non profit organizations who serve women and families overcoming abuse, addiction, homelessness and poverty." Currently, Project Beauty Share accepts barely used makeup, beauty products that are half full and other toiletries. Some makeup products may require you to sanitize your items by spritzing some rubbing alcohol before donating to the organization.
Donate furniture, Computers, Electronics & Books
It's difficult to give away books, especially ones where we've treasured them from early childhood through our adult years. Unless if you have a large room dedicated to a large library of books (and who wouldn't want that?), consider checking at your local libraries and school systems to see what are the requirements for accepting new and used books. Before donating to your local libraries, make sure to clean away any dust and notes that may be left hidden in your books.
With computers and electronics, some local libraries and school systems may have different specifications on what type of tech items are acceptable and in working condition. Before donating your computers and electronics, make sure that your hard drives and other devices are formatted to factory settings in order to prevent anyone stealing your personal information. If you're not sure how to do so, consider asking a friend or relative on assisting you with the formatting process before donating to the organization. It would not be a wise idea to rely on your local libraries and school systems to wipe away the information on your behalf.
NYC trusts Divine Moving & Storage’s premium White Glove relocation service to take care of all their moving needs. Our professional moving specialists have years of experience packing up priceless works of art, antiques, crystal, china, and even musical instruments. With Divine, you never have to worry about damage because we take the time to ensure your valuables are protected and safe for the entire time they’re in our care. For a luxury move without the luxury price tag, call us today!
Fragile items are everywhere. As much as we adore them on our living spaces, moving them from one location to another in NYC can make us feel like we're walking on eggshells. One wrong move and your precious antiques can meet their fate on the floor. Rather than calling a doctor to check on your blood pressure, here are our no-fuss tips that will provide reassurance when packing away fragile items. Trust us - we've been there.
Use plenty of wrapping supplies
Just like mothers who overdress their kids when the weather drops to frigid temperatures (even if it's above 50°F), having enough wrapping supplies is crucial when packing away your fragile items. Aside from bubble wrap and packing paper, consider looking into foam dividers when packing away appliances (such as your favorite crockpot and china). If you have any left over packing supplies from your online shopping sprees, be sure to save them in the corner instead of throwing them out. Not only you're saving money, but you're also repurposing them for a better use.
Take your time
It's easier said than done, but the key to packing fragile items is to relax! It's a good idea to pack your items in advance before your moving date (preferably one month before) so that you can take your time during the process. If you're feeling nervous, try to see if you can ask your friends and family members on assisting you with wrapping your items. Additionally, try to make a list on which items you should take care of first. Adopt the "triage method" - handle the easy fragile items first before working on towards more difficult packing (i.e. electronics and dishes).
Choose the right type of wrapping
Not all wrapping supplies are made equally. Bubble wrap and packing paper have its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to wrapping your fragile items. For example, if you're packing away mirrors, you might want to consider using bubble wrap to prevent the glass from breaking. Work on the strengths of your wrapping supplies to ensure that your fragile items are kept safely during transportation. Additionally, you may want to consider having a moving vehicle that has climate control so that way it'll be the right set of temperature when carrying your fragile items. It'll help prevent any warping, wear and tear when you decide to unpack your items after a long travel.
Provide enough cushion
Go beyond your typical wrapping supplies! If you have pillows, blankets and foam dividers, consider using them to cushion your fragile items in between. Not only it'll provide enough security during transportation, but it will absorb most of the shock in case if you're travelling between bumpy roads to your destination.
Avoid loose wrapping
Nothing says like throwing caution into the wind by not wrapping your items securely. It's a recipe for disaster. When wrapping your items, make sure to seal your items firmly to prevent any jiggling during transportation. If you have wine glasses, cups and mugs, add some crumpled paper in between so that it'll absorb the shock when moving your items. You can also invest in packing peanuts to place at the bottom of your boxes before adding your fragile items on top. Just be mindful that packing peanuts (like paper) can take up as much space, so make sure that you're placing a good ratio of your packing supplies with the amount of fragile items inside your boxes.
Packing--let alone moving in NYC--your home and belongings can send anyone into a panic. Divine Moving & Storage takes the stress out of it with our professional movers. Each packing professional has years of experience packing up homes just like yours. They come armed with the moving boxes, packing supplies, and relocation tools to make packing a breeze. There’s packing the hard way, and then there’s packing the Divine way.
In New York City, it’s tempting to try to move and pack by yourself. Between selecting an honest and reputable company, the cost, and trusting them with your valuables, we understand why many people try to move themselves. It seems easy—until you get started.
Divine is the best professional moving & packing company in New York City’s five boroughs and makes moving a breeze!
New York Professional Moving So You Never Have To Move Alone
When it comes time to move in New York City, you shouldn’t go at it alone. Moving is stressful enough by yourself but when you hire a licensed professional moving like Divine Moving & Storage you will have the best professional New York City movers on your side. With two decades experience packing, moving, and unpacking all over New York City’s five boroughs we have the knowledge, materials, and tools to pack you up and get you into your new home (or storage) quickly, efficiently, and without the stress (like broken items!) that most people usually associate with moving. New York City Professional Movers: Getting It Done Right… The First Time. Friends can help but it is the professionals who really get the job done. We know how to pack china and glassware, carefully wrap furniture, and breakdown large furniture items to protect them during transportation to your new home. Moving should never be difficult, and with Divine Moving & Storage it never will be.
The Benefits of NYC Professional Moving Services
The benefits of hiring a professional moving service far outweigh the consequences of trying to move yourself all by yourself. Divine’s professional New York movers come with fully stocked trucks all of the supplies you will need to have a successful move. On moving day, Divine’s moving team will bring packing paper, moving boxes of every size and shape—small, mediums, larges, extra larges and boxes for mattresses of all sizes, lamp boxes, even boxes for art and TVs—moving blankets, packing peanuts, packing tape, magic markers and more. Plus, we having moving dollies, floor and wall protection, and don’t forget: Divine has the muscle to get it from your front door to your new door—regardless of whether you are in an elevator building or a fifth floor walk up.
Avoid Disaster: Hire A Licensed Professional Moving Company
When you hire a licensed professional moving company to relocate you and your family you’ll avoid all of the stress, headaches, and physical pain of moving by yourself. Often, clients come to us after a move they attempted to complete themselves. We’ve heard every horror story in the book! From shattered glassware and china, to muddy dirt covered mattresses, boxes too heavy to lift (the most common problem when packing oneself), and even boxes packed with the keys that were supposed to be handed over to the landlord! Professional movers move every day. You move at most once a year. Moving requires expertise, and Divine has more than 20 years experience making moving a success!
Experienced New York City Moving is Stress-Free Moving
Hiring a professional moving company like Divine to expertly pack boxes ensures boxes are never back breakingly heavy, items are properly wrapped to safeguard them against breaking and damage, and mattresses and other furniture are covered and protected to ensure they get to your new home exactly as they left your old home: In one piece, unsoiled, and pristine. There’s moving the hard way and then there’s moving the Divine way. Life is hard enough—moving shouldn’t be!
DIY Moving vs. Professional Movers: Which Is Right for You?
Moving can be a stressful event, and one of the hardest decisions to make is whether to hire a professional moving company or attempt to do it on your own. Both approaches have their pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them out before you make a decision.
DIY Moving
DIY moving can be a great way to save money, since you won’t have to pay for a professional moving company. However, it can be a lot of hard work and requires a lot of planning. You’ll need to rent a truck, buy packing materials, and enlist the help of friends and family to help you move. Plus, you’ll need to make sure everything is packed properly to ensure it arrives to your new home safely.
Professional Movers
Hiring a professional moving company can be a great way to alleviate the stress of moving. They’ll provide all the necessary packing materials, and they’ll handle the entire move for you. Plus, they’ll be insured, so if any of your belongings are damaged during the move, they’ll be able to cover the cost of repairs. However, professional movers can be expensive and not always available on short notice.
Why move the hard way when you can move the Divine Way? Call for your free quote and get moving today.
212-244-4011
For your upcoming move or storage needs Divine can handle every relocation request. Have a last minute move? Renovation or construction actually going faster than expected (lucky you!)? New home not available? Let us know and we’ll make sure you and your family are taken care of. Professional movers are always the right choice!
Whether you’re facing a massive downsizing crisis, or you just need a serious reorganization of your clutter, there are solutions to de-clutter your NYC apartment and make put any traces of OCD to rest.
Moving to a big city such as New York City is exciting and a dream for many, but with that big move often comes a (very) small apartment. While you might have tried all of your downsizing strategies, you’ll want to make the most of your tiny space, which means you will need to get creative.
Small space storage hacks are some of the most innovative ways to make sure that you can keep all of your precious possessions and still comfortably navigate your home. Here are 10 storage hacks for your apartment.
In New York City, many of those utilities will already be ready to go or may be included in the rent if you are renting. Check with your landlord or the rental agreement to find out. 
There are plenty more things you could pack in the bag. Think about the day to day life of a normal week and think about what items you use regularly. Need your coffee in the morning and the Keurig is still packed? Throw in Starbucks bottled coffee to get you through the morning.
