It’s widely accepted that moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do in your life.

Long gone are the days when we would move home just once. As a ‘generation of renters’it’s likely that we’ll be packing up our belongings and relocating to pastures new several times in our lives.

Well, fear not! Whether you’re a student going into halls, newlyweds moving into your first ever love shack or a family of five with two cats, a dog, and a goldfish —we’ve complied some of the best time-saving (and stress free) tips to help you move home like a pro…

1. De-clutter

Before you do anything, grab a couple of charity bags and get ready to de-clutter. Clearing out the never-worn, never-touched and totally useless things currently taking up space in your abode will not only mean you have less to transport but it is a therapeutic way of starting the process.

2. Cash in on the favours

No one likes to be an inconvenience but this is the moment you should really cash in on all the times you’ve given friends and family lifts, looked after pets/children, loaned money…you get the idea. You cannot do this alone. Bulk buy the snacks, keep the kettle boiling and rope in everyone and anyone to help get things moving.

3. End it on good terms

Like a break up, it’s always best to leave things on good terms. As far in advance as possible, get your affairs in order. Pay outstanding bills, notify all of your suppliers and give them a forwarding address and remember cancel all direct debits. If you’re a renter, make sure you revisit your inventory checklist to ensure there are no nasty surprises when it comes to getting your deposit back, a lick of paint to spruce things up before you leave might save you cash in the long run.

4. Colour Co-ordinate

If you’re already obsessed with organisation then this will be your dream come true. If you are more of a laid back just-ram-it-in-any-old-box type, this may be more of a struggle. Invest in some coloured post-its and assign a different colour to every room. When it comes to packing and unpacking at your new abode you (and every helper you have roped in) will know exactly where to put every box saving you time and avoiding unnecessary stress.

5. Boxes, boxes, boxes

Speaking of boxes, you’ll need plenty. Whether you are borrowing or purchasing some new ones it’s best to ensure they’re good quality before placing your treasured possessions inside them, and if they’re big, remember not to fill them all the way to the top as they’ll be too heavy to carry. (Oh and lift from the knees, people!)

6. Van strategy

Be strategic when loading the van. Ever played Tetris? Good, it’ll come in handy. Remember the first thing you put into the van will be the last thing you take out, so leave essentials untill the very end.

7. The file of important things

We can’t stress this one enough. Keep all important paperwork and documents in a file which you can keep with you. We’re talking passports, birth certificates, drivers licence, marriage certificates, bank letters etc. These are definitely things you don’t want to lose and 100% the things that will wake you up on Night 1 leaving you ripping through boxes to double check you know where they are.

8. Emergency box of bits

And finally, the emergency box of bits. We really can’t stress this one enough. Whether you are a tea or coffee fiend make sure you have some stashed in your go-to box so you can get yourself a well-earned cuppa without having to make another trip out to the shop. Make sure the biscuit tin makes it in there too…

Any we’ve missed? Tweet your top moving tips to @MakeItRustoleum and we’ll add in our favourites…