An apartment on the third floor without an elevator, a person with reduced mobility in the household, a cat that panics at the slightest sound of tape: moving is not done the same way depending on the initial configuration. Most guides compile generic lists, but a successful move depends on the specific constraints of the home you are leaving and the one you are joining.
Moving and Reduced Mobility: Adapting Each Step to the Terrain
When a senior or a person with a disability is part of the household, the move requires adjustments that classic checklists do not address. The first reflex is to identify the physical obstacles of both homes: door widths, access steps, presence of an elevator, distance between the truck parking and the entrance.
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For a wheelchair, a standard door of 73 cm is not always wide enough to fit certain furniture and the chair at the same time. We also check the height of switches and outlets in the new home, because reorganizing electricity after moving in costs time and energy.
On the packing side, we plan a circuit of boxes that keeps a clear passage at all times. Stacking boxes in a narrow hallway blocks access and creates a risk of falling. It is better to store boxes in a single room and completely clear the hallway and entrance.
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- Ask the movers if they have portable ramps to cross thresholds and isolated steps
- Plan for an accessible resting space on moving day, with a chair, water, and common medications within reach
- Prioritize the installation of the bathroom (grab bars, non-slip mats) before unpacking the rest
- Inform the movers about assistive devices (walker, shower seat) to load last so they can be unloaded first
To organize a move with C Ma Déco, one can anticipate the layout of the new home alongside the transport, which avoids living for several days in a non-functional space.
Packing Fragile Items: Techniques That Really Protect
Wrapping each plate in newspaper is well known. The challenge comes with large and fragile items: mirrors, screens, glass frames. A box that is too big without internal padding breaks more than it protects.
We use the double box technique for the most sensitive items. The first box, adjusted to the object, is padded with crumpled paper. This first box is then placed inside a second, larger box, with a layer of padding between the two walls. The result absorbs lateral shocks and vibrations from the truck.
Protecting Furniture Without Expensive Materials
Moving blankets can be rented, but we can also recycle comforters and thick sheets to wrap the corners of wooden furniture. Masking tape (the beige one used in painting) holds well without leaving residue on varnished surfaces, unlike regular packing tape.
The INRS study from February 2026 on the safety of domestic moves reports a marked decrease in lifting-related injuries since the adoption of ergonomic transport straps by individuals. These straps distribute weight across the shoulders and legs rather than the back. They can be found for a few euros at large DIY stores.
Moving Schedule: The Retro Planning That Works in Practice
Most moving calendars start two months before the big day. In practice, we find that administrative tasks are the ones most often postponed, and these are precisely the ones that cause problems if forgotten.
Three weeks before departure, we take care of address changes: energy provider, home insurance, benefits office, mutual insurance. Waiting until the last week risks an electricity cut in the new home on the evening of the move.
On Moving Day: A Precise Sequence
In the morning, we start by disassembling the bulkiest furniture. Beds and wardrobes go first into the truck because they occupy the back of the loading area. The boxes fill the remaining spaces.
- Load heavy furniture first, secured against the walls of the truck
- Place fragile boxes (marked “FRAGILE” on two sides) last, on top
- Keep a bag with identification documents, keys for both homes, phone chargers, and a toiletry kit in the personal vehicle, not in the moving truck
Children and Pets on Moving Day: Managing Two Sources of Stress
A young child amidst open boxes and moving furniture is a constant risk. The most effective solution remains to entrust the children to a relative for the day. If that is not possible, we assign them a room emptied first, with a few toys and a dedicated adult.
For pets, the logic is the same. A cat or dog stressed by noise and commotion can injure itself or escape through an open door. We isolate the animal in a closed room with its litter box (for the cat), water, and its usual blanket. The transport of the animal is done last, in a personal vehicle, never in the moving truck.
Feedback varies on this point, but several pet owners find that setting up the pet’s belongings first in the new home (bed, bowl, scratching post) reduces the adjustment time.
A well-prepared move does not rely on a list of fifty tips, but on three or four decisions made early: adapting the logistical route to the people present, properly protecting the important items, and handling administrative tasks before the first box is closed.