Pro Shares 5 Ways To Make Your Next Moving Day a Stress-Free Piece of Cake

Moving is one of life’s great nuisances, but at the end of the piles of boxes comes the happiness of settling into a new home. Whether you’re bouncing in between apartments, finally buying your dream house or choosing to downsize once the kids have flown the coop, there are all kinds of moving scenarios—and each one of them involves decisions both big (like figuring out how best to transport precious family heirlooms) and small (like choosing which of those T-shirts in the back of your drawer you’re really going to wear at your new place).

There are so many different approaches one can take to a move that the mere suggestion of packing up your house can make your head spin, and the question of whether or not to hire a professional mover can be a tricky one. In recent years, one moving company in particular has become ubiquitous. Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, founded in New York City in 2017, with local moving operations in New York, the Tri-State Area, Florida and Los Angeles, is instantly recognizable for its hot pink trucks. Naturally, their Chief Marketing Officer, Najah Ayoub, knows a thing or two about relocating in style. Read on to see her pro tips to make moving as low-stress as possible.

1. Embrace the essentials

Often, you might not realize which essentials you need for your new place until you’ve actually moved in, which can lead to frantic list-making and late-night online shopping. “Putting together a ‘first-night essentials’ box or two can be overlooked,” says Ayoub. “Packing everything you’ll need for the first 24 to 48 hours in your new home—including toiletries, a few outfits, a set of basic kitchen items, pillows, towels, bed linens and any electronics you use every day, including laptops, chargers or any smart home devices—is always a good idea. That way, even if everything else is still packed, you have the basics, allowing you to settle in comfortably right away.”

To help make the first few days in a new home easier, Piece of Cake just launched a Moving Day Glow Up Kit in collaboration with C.O. Bigelow (a historic New York pharmacy known for being one of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s favorite places to shop). The kit features a selection of essential toiletries in a cute package.

2. Find peace in downsizing

“Moving is more than just a change of address; it’s a major life transition,” notes Ayoub. “Taking an organized approach can significantly reduce stress. Before boxing anything up, go through your belongings and donate, sell or dispose of items that no longer serve you. This not only reduces what you have to pack and move, but it can help you mentally prepare for a new chapter. Letting go of excess can feel incredibly empowering.”

3. Start earlier than you think

A universal truth of moving? Everything takes way longer than you expect it to! “Give yourself enough time to prepare,” Ayoub says. “Packing a one or two-bedroom apartment can take around two weeks, while a larger home may take two to four weeks. Starting early prevents last-minute chaos and allows you to move at a steady, manageable pace.”

“People often underestimate the time it takes to pack,” she continues. “Making a plan of what rooms can be packed well in advance versus what spaces or essentials can be packed last is helpful, as is organizing a room-by-room packing checklist.” “Most people assume they can pack quickly or figure things out as they go, but moving is a logistical process,” Ayoub observes. “When you don’t plan ahead, everything becomes reactive.”

4. Know the right time to schedule the pros

If you choose to hire a professional moving company, Ayoub says it’s best to schedule a weekday or mid-month move whenever possible. “Weekends and the end of the month are peak moving dates, so they’ll often come at a premium, and you can often save by booking outside of that window,” she shares. “Booking in advance is also a good idea, as last-minute moves tend to be more expensive.”

5. Turn stress into joy

“Moving is a chance to reset your environment and step into a new chapter with intention,” says Ayoub. “When approached thoughtfully, it can be a source of real joy rather than stress, and it helps to see it as a fresh start rather than fearing change. Moving allows you to create a space that reflects who you are, and it’s a perfect opportunity to assess your daily routines, from how your space is organized to how you move through it each day.”