In the Northeast, after a long, cold winter, spring is a season of fresh beginnings. And for the real estate market, spring is generally viewed as the best time to buy a house. So if you’ve been considering putting your house on the market, now is the time to get your current home organized and start shopping around for your next dream home.
The idea of moving can be overwhelming, and many people don’t know where to begin. Enter The Settler, a full-service concierge move-management and organizational company. The Settler is the brainchild of Darien resident Jackie Randall, who recently joined forces with New Canaan’s Bridget Urgo (formerly of B.Organized Home), to create a singular, all-encompassing, one-stop solution to move management and home organization. Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, moving down the street or across the country, The Settler’s owners say they understand why people feel overwhelmed and truly believe the process of moving can be a stress-free reset and refresh. Here are some helpful tips they shared for simplifying and mastering your move:
1. Cleanse
Parting with your belongings can be emotional and difficult, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Decluttering doesn’t mean getting rid of everything though; it’s about making intentional choices to keep what adds value and purpose to your life. The Settler recommends being truly honest with yourself and starting in small increments. “Spend 15 to 30 minutes in each room and get rid of anything that no longer serves you and that will not have a spot in your new home,” Urgo says, adding that it costs money to pack up, move and unpack items. So if you aren’t going to use something—just get rid of it off the bat.
2. Categorize
After you’ve streamlined your belongings, the next step is to categorize by room or destination. Think about the layout of your new place and where items will live. Will you move seasonal items to the attic or certain toys from a bedroom to a playroom? The Settler also recommends color-coding packing tape for each room for easy identification (green for kitchen, blue for bathroom, yellow for bedroom, etc.), and taking inventory of each box. Mapping out the process ahead of time should make unpacking a breeze.
3. Showcase with storage solutions
After cleansing and categorizing, the next step is to utilize storage solutions—baskets, containers, drawer dividers/organizers, etc.—to make the most of your space. The Settler says that storage solutions don’t have to be boring—there are lots of options that blend functionality with flair.
4. Relish the results
The final step is the best part—enjoying your hard work! Making your home look perfect for listing or making a new space feel like a home can be a journey, but if you start early and use the simple tips above, there is a stress-free path to creating a meaningful and purposeful home that reflects who you are and what’s important to you. Life is busy and hectic enough; moving doesn’t have to be.
Photographs by Pedro E. Guerrero/courtesy of Pamela Gores