This is the second in a series. For the first part, click here.

Sketch a floor plan. This will be helpful when you actually move the furniture, of course, and it also helps with decisions about what will fit where and what may need to be let go. The fewer decisions you have to make on the spot on moving day, the easier it will be.

The rooms in your new location will probably have a different layout than the old location. A rough layout of the new place will allow you to think through and map out where each big piece of furniture will probably go. When you are standing in front of the truck, it’s much easier to know you know. You can even hand off the plan to someone else to direct traffic, as long as you have better descriptions than I do on my sketch (pictured).

As you work through your floor plan, you will probably see some things that need to go on your to-do list (i.e., buy a TV mount or install outlet on a certain wall or sell the enormous entertainment center that won’t fit anymore). Add them to the list right away!

Start using stuff up. Once you know you are moving, avoid the big grocery shopping trips or the warehouse store foray to stock up on paper supplies (except paperware for those in-between meals). The less you have to move, the better. A few creative meals won’t hurt anyone, so use up what you have as much as you can. It’s easier to move the kitchen when your refrigerator and freezer and cupboards are not slam full.