MOVING TIPS - STRESS FREE


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December 11th, 2025


Expert Moving Tips for a Stress-Free Move in Ontario

Moving to a new home is one of life's most significant transitions, and in Ontario's diverse climate, it requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you're relocating within Port Elgin, Owen Sound, or anywhere across Grey-Bruce, these expert moving tips will help you navigate every stage of your move with confidence.After helping hundreds of families and businesses transition smoothly in our community, we've learned what makes the difference between a chaotic moving day and a well-orchestrated relocation. Here's your complete guide to making your next move your easiest one yet.

Start Planning Early: The 8-Week Moving Timeline

8 Weeks Before Moving DayThe secret to a stress-free move is starting early. Begin by creating a comprehensive moving binder or digital folder to keep all your documents, receipts, and checklists organized. Research moving options and decide whether you'll hire professional movers or tackle a DIY move.If you're planning a self-move, this is the perfect time to reserve your moving truck. At Stow It Self Storage, we offer a FREE moving truck when you move in to either our Port Elgin or Owen Sound location—a significant cost-saver that many residents don't realize is available to them.6 Weeks Before Moving DayStart decluttering room by room. Be ruthless in your decisions about what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. The less you move, the easier and less expensive your relocation will be. This is also an excellent time to measure your furniture and create a floor plan for your new space to ensure everything fits properly.4 Weeks Before Moving DayBegin gathering packing supplies. You'll need various box sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers for labeling. At Stow It Self Storage, we stock a complete range of moving supplies at both our locations, making it convenient to pick up everything you need in one trip.Order specialty boxes for items like dishes, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, and picture boxes for artwork and mirrors. Having the right supplies from the start prevents damage and saves time during the packing process.2 Weeks Before Moving DayStart packing non-essential items like seasonal decorations, books, and items from storage areas. Label each box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home. Use a color-coding system or numbering method to make unpacking more organized.Confirm your moving truck reservation and finalize any storage arrangements. If you need temporary storage during your transition, secure your climate-controlled unit now to avoid last-minute stress.

Master the Art of Packing: Room-by-Room Strategies

Kitchen Packing Tips

The kitchen is often the most challenging room to pack due to fragile items and irregular shapes. Start by packing items you rarely use, like special occasion serving pieces and small appliances.
  • Wrap each dish individually in packing paper or bubble wrap
  • Pack plates vertically (like records) rather than stacking them flat—this reduces breakage
  • Fill empty spaces in boxes with dish towels or packing paper to prevent shifting
  • Mark all boxes containing fragile items on multiple sides
  • Pack a "first day" box with essential kitchen items: coffee maker, kettle, paper plates, utensils, and cleaning supplies

Bedroom Packing Strategies

Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to keep them wrinkle-free. For folded clothing, consider leaving items in drawers if the furniture allows safe transport—just secure the drawers with plastic wrap or tape.Vacuum-seal bags work excellently for bulky items like comforters, pillows, and winter coats, saving considerable space in your moving truck or storage unit.

Living Room and Electronics

Take photos of all electronic setups before disconnecting cables. This simple step saves hours of frustration when reconnecting everything in your new home. Store all cables, remotes, and small parts in labeled ziplock bags taped to the corresponding device.For large screen TVs and monitors, use the original boxes if you still have them. If not, protect screens with moving blankets and secure them properly in the truck to prevent damage during transport.

Bathroom Organization

Pack a separate "essentials" bag for each family member containing toiletries, medications, and necessities for the first 24 hours. This prevents digging through boxes when you're exhausted on moving day.Pack bathroom items carefully, ensuring bottles are sealed with plastic wrap under the caps to prevent leaking. Place liquids in sealed plastic bags as an extra precaution.

Ontario-Specific Moving Considerations

Weather Adaptability

Ontario weather can be unpredictable, especially during transitional seasons. Always check the forecast for moving day and have backup plans ready. Keep tarps, plastic sheeting, and towels handy to protect belongings from unexpected rain or snow.In winter months, ensure walkways are cleared and salted at both your old and new residences. Consider laying down cardboard or protective mats to prevent tracking snow and salt through homes.

Climate-Controlled Storage Benefits

Ontario's temperature extremes can damage sensitive items. If your move involves a gap between closing dates or if you need to downsize temporarily, climate-controlled storage is essential for:
  • Electronics and appliances
  • Wooden furniture and antiques
  • Musical instruments
  • Important documents and photographs
  • Artwork and collectibles
  • Leather furniture
  • Wine collections
Our climate-controlled units maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels year-round, providing the same protection as indoor heated storage in your home.

Loading Your Moving Truck Like a Professional

The way you load your moving truck directly impacts the safety of your belongings and the efficiency of your move.Heavy Items FirstLoad the heaviest items first and place them toward the front of the truck, nearest the cab. This includes appliances, loaded dressers, and boxes of books. Distribute weight evenly from side to side to maintain balance.Strategic Furniture PlacementStand mattresses and box springs upright against the wall to save floor space. Place sofas on end or upside down. Use furniture pads or moving blankets between pieces to prevent scratching and damage.Fill Every GapUtilize vertical space efficiently and fill gaps with soft items like pillows, linens, and bags of clothing. This prevents shifting during transport—the leading cause of damage during DIY moves.Last In, First OutLoad items you'll need immediately upon arrival last, so they're first off the truck. This includes your essentials box, tools for furniture assembly, cleaning supplies, and first-night necessities.

Maximize Your Storage Strategy During Transition

Many moves require temporary storage, whether you're downsizing, dealing with timing gaps between homes, or staging your current house for sale. Here's how to use storage effectively:

Short-Term Storage Solutions

For moves with 30-60 day gaps between closing dates, a storage unit provides a convenient intermediate step. This allows you to move out on schedule without rushing to coordinate moving into your new space on the same day—a major stress reducer.

Downsizing and Estate Transitions

When moving to a smaller space, storage gives you time to make thoughtful decisions about what truly fits your new lifestyle without pressure. Keep seasonal items, recreational equipment, or sentimental pieces you're not ready to part with in storage while you settle into your new home.

Staging Your Home for Sale

Real estate professionals consistently report that staged homes sell faster and for higher prices. Consider storing excess furniture, personal items, and clutter in a storage unit to make your current home show at its best. The investment in storage often pays for itself through a quicker sale and better offers.

Business Relocations

If you're moving your business, storage provides flexibility for managing inventory, office equipment, and documents during the transition. Our 24-hour access means you can retrieve items as needed without disrupting business operations.

Moving Day Essentials Checklist

Create a moving day survival kit containing:
  • Important documents (lease, contracts, identification, medical records)
  • Phone chargers and power banks
  • Basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, utility knife, tape)
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Snacks and beverages for moving helpers
  • First aid kit
  • Pet supplies if applicable
  • Cash for tips and unexpected expenses
  • Change of clothes
  • Paper towels and garbage bags

Special Considerations for Ontario Moves

Update Your Address

Notify important parties of your address change:
  • Service Ontario for driver's license and health card
  • Canada Post mail forwarding service
  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Insurance providers (home, auto, life)
  • CRA for tax documents
  • Subscription services and recurring deliveries
  • Utilities at your old address (schedule disconnection)
  • Utilities at your new address (schedule connection)

Community Resources

Take advantage of local Ontario resources:
  • Municipal websites often have moving guides and utility information
  • Local Facebook groups can connect you with reliable movers, handymen, and resources
  • Community bulletin boards for selling items you won't move
  • Donation centers like Habitat for Humanity ReStore accept furniture and building materials

Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating Time Required Most people underestimate packing time by 50%. What seems like a weekend project often takes a full week or more.2. Not Labeling Boxes Properly Writing just the room name isn't enough. Include a brief content description so you know which boxes to unpack first.3. Overpacking Boxes Keep box weight manageable—if you can't lift it comfortably, it's too heavy. Heavy boxes are more likely to break and can cause injury.4. Forgetting to Measure Doorways and Staircases Large furniture pieces won't always fit through doorways or around corners. Measure everything beforehand and have a backup plan.5. Not Protecting Furniture Properly Moving blankets, furniture pads, and plastic wrap are inexpensive investments that prevent costly damage to furniture and walls.

Post-Move Organization Tips

Once you've arrived at your new home:
  • Unpack essentials boxes first
  • Set up beds and bathrooms as priorities
  • Focus on one room at a time for systematic unpacking
  • Break down boxes as you go to prevent clutter
  • Take time to properly organize storage spaces before filling them
  • Don't rush—thoughtful unpacking prevents having to reorganize later

Make Your Move Easier with Stow It Self Storage

At Stow It Self Storage, we understand that moving is more than just transporting belongings from one place to another—it's about starting a new chapter in your life. That's why we've designed our services to support you through every step of your relocation:Free Moving Truck Save hundreds of dollars with our complimentary moving truck available when you move into either our Port Elgin or Owen Sound location. This significant benefit helps make your transition more affordable.Complete Moving Supplies Stop at our facility for all your packing materials—boxes in multiple sizes, tape, bubble wrap, furniture covers, and specialty containers. Having everything in one convenient location saves time and multiple shopping trips.Flexible Storage Solutions Whether you need storage for a few weeks during your transition or long-term space for items that don't fit in your new home, we offer:
  • Climate-controlled units for sensitive items
  • Multiple sizes to fit your exact needs
  • Month-to-month rentals with no long-term commitments
  • 24-hour access when you need it
  • Ground-floor and upstairs options for different accessibility needs
Two Convenient Locations Serving Port Elgin and Owen Sound means we're accessible throughout Grey-Bruce, making drop-offs and pick-ups convenient no matter where your move takes you.Expert Guidance Our team has helped countless families and businesses through moves of all sizes. We're happy to answer questions, recommend unit sizes, and share tips specific to your situation.

Ready to Start Your Moving Journey?

Moving doesn't have to be overwhelming. With proper planning, the right resources, and support from storage professionals who understand the unique needs of Ontario movers, your relocation can be smooth and stress-free. Whether you're downsizing, upsizing, relocating for work, or starting a new adventure, Stow It Self Storage is here to make your transition easier. Take advantage of our free moving truck, stock up on quality packing supplies, and secure climate-controlled storage that keeps your belongings safe during the process.
Contact Stow-It Self Storage:📍 Port Elgin: 1264 Mackenzie Road. 519-389-7700.📍 Owen Sound: 1960 20th Street East. 519-376-8831.🌐 www.stowit.ca

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