Get quality moving boxes that can be reused again and again for storage and moving.

So you have just finished unpacking but your new home still seems cluttered from all those packing boxes. From grade school we’ve had those three words engrained into our brains; reduce, reuse, recycle. Naturally you feel a bit guilty about the thought of putting your moving boxes in the dumpster. But relax, here’s a list of some easy and creative ways to salvage those cardboard boxes:

Right away the first thing I think of is how kid friendly moving boxes can be. Actually they might become pretty antsy while they wait for their toys to be unpacked, so this is something you might want to give them to do in the yard to keep them busy while you are unpacking. Give them some markers or paint and they will create a rocket ship or playhouse that will amuse them for days. You can glue a picture to a section of cardboard and using a sharp utility knife, cut it into shapes to make a cool puzzle. If you have an hour, spend it with your children making crafts, it will get them to use their imagination and can be educational. Some cool ones can be found at enchantedlearning.com/crafts/box, and mycraftbook.com/list.asp?subcategoryid=50. Your used bubble wrap can also be used to make 3D collages but should be used with adult supervision.

-Cardboard boxes can be used as temporary trash bins while getting organized in your new home. Although, it can be made into your permanent recycling bin if you want to be even more resourceful.

- In my home, cardboard boxes are used as storage bins, and to hold household items such as magazines or toys.

- If you own a fireplace it can be used for fire kindling.

-Use cardboard in your compost. It is decomposable and is beneficial to garden soil.

-Old bubble wrap can be placed at the bottom of your produce drawers. It is easy to clean, and will be helpful in keeping your fruits and vegetables from bruising.

Of course moving boxes can always be stored and reused for its original purpose. Save them for when you need to mail packages. Post an ad on Craigslist.org in the “free stuff” section, I’m sure they will be promptly taken away. If you live on a college campus, you can always find a student or classroom in need.

According to the American Forest and Paper Association, 90% of all products are shipped in corrugated boxes in the United States. As a result cardboard boxes make up almost 14% of the nations municipal solid waste. It’s easy to think of different ways to reuse boxes instead of throwing them out. Be sure and help boxes reach their full potential.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Home moving and decorating can be stressful without the right moving supplies.

When redecorating a home, it’s always important to keep in mind who will be living there. If there are kids in the house, not only it’s important to remember that during the actual planning stage, but also while you’re working on the room. To make the most of your new room and to avoid accidents and problems, try the following:

Have the kids leave if at all possible. Having a three-year-old walking around tools and open cans of paint is a recipe for disaster. Ask a loved one to take over babysitting duties for a while so you can at least get through the most basic renovations without having to look over your shoulder all the time.

Keep dangerous tools out of reach. This is especially true of anything electric, but don’t forget small items such as nails or items such as wood pieces (which can have splinters) and metal items in general.

Always keep thinking about what the final design will look like, even during the initial stages of the remodeling. This will allow you to incorporate safety measures, such as rails or drawer stops, in the design.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

When moving, put all your kitchenware in moving boxes marked fragile.

When planning a kitchen remodeling (or even some basic redecoration), it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

Kitchen are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to remodel (bathrooms are the other) because they usually require structural changes. Expect to spend quite a large sum, even for smaller changes, and be prepared for surprises or additional charges that may pop up along the way.

You probably won’t be able to cook at all when your kitchen is being remodeled. Even during small changes, there will still be debris and dust flying around, which makes the handling of food rather dangerous. During this time, it just makes sense to either order in or eat out.

Remodeling your kitchen will shield the best results when and if you decide to sell your home. Experts agree that future home owners look at the size and overall design of a kitchen above that of the bedroom and living room when making a decision.

If you can’t afford to do structural changes, go for impact: paint the cabinets, get a new table and chairs, hung new curtains and change the cabinet’s hardware.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Make sure you have all of the moving supplies and boxes you need to complete your move.

If you’re moving next week (or tomorrow!) and you haven’t had a chance to pack properly, don’t despair. There are lots of things you can do to get your things in order at the last minute.

Pack the big things first. Make sure the furniture is wrapped with moving supplies or has been taken apart, the blankets are boxed and the patio umbrellas have been put away. It’s easier to throw all small things into a box at the last minute, but finding time to organize the big items will require more planning.

Don’t worry about organization. Packing boxes don’t have to look neat and structured. Just try to distribute things evenly so you make good use of the space.

Don’t forget to wrap delicate items using moving supplies such as bubble wrap. Just because things are not organized doesn’t mean you need to risk their safety. Be careful.

Do a little bit at a time. If you have little time left and lots of things to do before moving day, break it down in parts. Pack as you go along: when you see dry dishes, put them away in moving boxes, rather than back in the pantry. The same is true of other things you run across along the day.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

By maximizing space in your packing boxes you can save even more money on your moving supplies.

Realized at the last minute that you don’t have enough boxes to pack it all? Don’t despair. With a little planning, your boxes can pack a lot more than you would expect.

Pack things as organized as possible. You don’t need to spend hours at it, but just throwing things randomly inside will probably waste a lot of valuable space.

Fit things into one another. Small items can go inside baskets, glasses can go inside pots and ceramic knick-knacks should fit well (and actually be better protected) if packed inside shoes or travel bags. Try to keep things that belong in the same room together, but other than that, don’t be afraid to pile them up.

Try to place things inside the packing boxes according to their shape. If you are packing things away inside a box, try matching corners so there are no small empty spaces anywhere. Then use any leftover spaces for small flat items.

Throw away anything you don’t really need. Food that is not likely to survive the trip, magazines you haven’t read (and probably never will) and clothes that haven’t been worn in a year should really stay behind. You’ll save space, time and money by not even packing these things up in the first place.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Get the proper packing boxes to move your belongings.

Who said you need to spend thousands of dollars to give a room a facelift? While some expenses are mandatory, you still can change the whole look of a room just by rearranging what you already have. Here are a few tips on doing that successfully:

1. Go “shopping” in another room. A small side table, a quirky chair or a mismatched rug can all help change the look of a room.
2.Rearrange the furniture. Don’t just move it around but instead find ways to change the focal point of the room by facing the couch or the dining table a different way.
3. Use things in an unexpected way. A bookcase can easily turn into a room divider and a screen can be used to create a separate office in what would normally be just a living room.
4. Can’t afford to replace the couch? Use a throw or a nice afghan to cover it up, either completely or just across the back. Use a contrasting color as well, so the impact is greater.
5. Get one or two large potted plants. Resist the temptation of turning the room into a jungle. 6. 6. Instead, get a large palm or fern for a stronger impact without overwhelming the furniture.
7. Hang a picture on the wall. This is a lot cheaper than you may think. If you have an old calendar you love, just frame your favorite pages and hang them on the wall in groups. Otherwise, places like IKEA sell cheap prints that are large enough to draw attention by themselves.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Safely Moving to a new Neighborhood with the right Moving Supplies

All settled in your new home? Now is the time to step out of the house and see what the area has to offer.

Start with the main buildings and destinations in your neighborhood. Visit the town hall or arts center to get a calendar of events for the next month or so. You may not think this is important but it will give you something to do if you suddenly find yourself lost and bored, missing your old friends.

Walk a radius of five blocks in each direction from your home and take mental notes of the shops around you. Supermarkets and Laundromats are the most important ones, but don’t forget bookstores, 24-hour delis, pharmacies and library. One of those not close-by? Find out their location so you don’t need to start looking when it’s 3AM in the morning and you have a pounding headache.

Talk to your neighbors. If you prefer keeping to yourself, at least say hi when you’re coming in and out of the house. It will be enough introduction in case you ever need to ask a question or recommendation and it’s always nice to know who lives next door to you.

Take advantage of the internet. Use Citysearch and Craigslist to find services and products in your area. Whether you’re shopping or just exploring, going online will probably shield the best results, especially at the beginning, when you don’t know the best places to go to locally.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites