You never truly know what you own until you have to move. That's when your complaints about what you lack will fade away, replaced by the overwhelming realisation of everything that needs to be done. The first question that will go round and round in your head before organising a move is: what should I take first?
Stay calm. With good organisation, patience and a helping hand, anything is possible. Before long you'll be comfortably settled in your new home and those stressful days will be a distant memory. The key is making sure the experience isn't traumatic so you can put it behind you — here are some practical tips to help.
How to move the first things during a house removal
If you're not sure where to begin with your move, keep these tips in mind:
1. Gather your packing supplies and sort everything properly
The secret to knowing how to prepare a move lies in the packing. Make sure you have bin bags, cardboard boxes, newspaper, packing tape, scissors and thick markers to hand.
Use a clear and legible labelling system — you'll thank yourself later. The best approach is to write the name of the room where the contents belong on each box, but be specific. Briefly note what's inside each one and whether it's something you use regularly, as those will be the first boxes you'll want to unpack.
2. Don't forget everyday essentials
Keep within easy reach complete sets of bed linen for the whole family, towels, bathroom essentials (shampoo, shower gel, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes), and a change of clothes for everyone. If you have babies or young children, pack several changes.
These are the first things you'll need at your destination, and you won't be able to wait until everything is unpacked before having a shower and a rest. It's also a good idea to bring a bag of food that requires no cooking, such as cold salads.
3. Beds first
This is one of the best moving tips we can give you. Between packing, transporting and unpacking your belongings to make your new home liveable, a considerable amount of time will pass, and you'll need to rest in between. Unload the beds first, assemble them and avoid piling boxes and bags on top of them. After long days of hard work, when the time comes you'll be glad to have a proper place to rest.
The washing machine and tumble dryer are appliances you'll need in the short term, as is the fridge. Being bulky items, they should also be among the first things to be positioned so you don't have to move them around later.
4. Ask for help
Just thinking about assembling beds and moving large appliances is probably enough to make you feel tired — let alone dealing with sofas, armchairs and other oversized furniture. It's clear that you can't do it all on your own.
Removal companies not only have large, spacious vehicles but also specialist equipment such as the furniture hoist. There's a world of difference between carrying a sofa up eight flights of stairs and having it lifted directly to your floor by an autonomous vehicle with a load capacity of up to 250 kg.
Remember that the most valuable things you have are not the belongings you're transporting, but your time and your health. Don't give in to stress, overexertion and endless working days — put your trust in professionals like Horizont Atlantic. We don't just move your belongings; we treat them as if they were our own, and we know exactly what to take first during a move and how to manage the entire process. We will advise you every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions about what to move first
What is the optimal order for loading the removal van?
First to be loaded (last to be unloaded): large, heavy furniture (sofas, tables, dismantled wardrobes), appliances (empty and disconnected), bicycles, garden equipment. Last to be loaded (first to be unloaded): boxes labelled "FIRST NIGHT", a box with cleaning products to tidy the house before you start, and basic tools for urgent assembly.
What order should you follow when unloading?
First, the "FIRST NIGHT" box (place it somewhere visible), then tools and cleaning products (to clean the house before setting it up). Next, heavy furniture by room (sofa to the living room, bed to the bedroom, etc.). Finally, boxes labelled by destination room. This order means that on the first day you can sleep, wash your hands and cook something without having to open 40 boxes.
What should go in the "first night box"?
Essentials: sheets + pillowcase + blanket, towels (1 per person), basic toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toilet paper), phone and laptop chargers, torch or candle + lighter, scissors and a box cutter (to open other boxes), non-perishable snacks and water, disposable cutlery, regular medication, a change of clothes for 2 days. Label it in large letters: "OPEN FIRST".
What about critical documents?
NOT in the removal van. Carry them with you (in your car or personal luggage): national ID, passport, family record books, property deeds, important contracts (rental agreement, mortgage, insurance policies), medical records, cash, jewellery, and computers with critical data that hasn't been backed up. If the van were to go missing (rare, but it happens), your documents and most valuable items will be safe.
Is there a technique that saves time during unloading?
Yes: stick a colour-coded sign for each room on the door (kitchen=yellow, living room=blue, bedroom 1=green, etc.). Boxes previously labelled with the same colour during packing (professional system) go directly to their room without anyone having to ask. This one technique alone saves 2–4 hours during unloading. More detail: professional labelling system.
