How To Prepare For Living Without Your Furniture

Image CC 2.0 by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr

If you are moving cross-country, your mover has probably prepared you for the inconvenient fact that it takes longer for a truck to travel than it does your car. Sometimes it’s a lot longer, depending on when the truck leaves and how many stops it needs to make along the way. So, how do you prepare for living without your furniture?

Whether you are packing, or the movers are packing for you, you’ll want to set aside some necessities for the road trip and for when you arrive at your destination. You already know that the movers can’t move your jewelry, important paperwork, or liquid, flammable, and corrosive items. You probably also want to take your own houseplants, if state laws allow. What else should you take with you, though, and what should you tell the movers to leave behind?

Cleaning Supplies

Keep your cleaning supplies. You don’t want the movers transporting the potentially spill-able liquids anyway, but you’ll certainly need them to clean up your old home and spruce up your new one. That list should include a broom, a vacuum (if possible), some sponges and rags, and some microfiber cloths.

A few tools may also come in handy. Take a couple screwdrivers, a hammer, and possibly a picture hanging kit with you. You may also want to take some flashlights, in case there are some burned out lightbulbs in your new home, or if the utility company hasn’t turned the lights on.

Food

Keep your family well-fed and hydrated with some cold drinks and some easily transportable food, like trail mix, apples, bananas, and jerky. Use paper plates to save from having to use dishes, and if possible, transport your microwave, so you can have some hot food in your new home.

Personal Hygiene Items

Load your car with toilet paper, deodorant (the family can share one unscented one, right?), toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors, towels, washcloths, and makeup.

Clothing

You’ve probably already thought about your clothing, but bring several outfits, including work and casual clothing.