Moving to a new home can be incredibly exciting. Maybe you are moving away from your parents for the first time, moving in with your other half or maybe you have found a bigger home for your growing family. It is the start of a new chapter in your life and everything seems possible and uplifting.

Relocating also comes with numerous challenges including the emotional toll of leaving behind a part of your life with many unknowns on the horizon ahead. However, you and those moving with you (or helping you with your relocation) can take steps to make the process less stressful. After all, a smooth move sets the tone for things to come.

Having a to-do list before and during the move will help you sail through this challenge. Whether you are going to rely on professional movers or look into portable storage containers to keep some of your belongings, having a plan is paramount.

So keep reading and be sure to make a note of our top tips for a successful moving day!

1. Make sure everything is packed already

If you are at the end of a tenancy agreement, you will need to empty your property in full and hand over the keys to the landlord or their letting agency. This means that ALL of your stuff needs to be out of the property by a certain time.

Now, the Seasonsincolour family has moved plenty of times (before and after we had our kid) and I can tell you one thing: the amount of stuff we humans accumulate is bonkers. One more time for those in the back: you will need A LOT of moving boxes. So avoid moving homes stress by making sure you are prepared!

Maybe you are planning to rent a moving track for the day, or a family member is helping you move belongings to the new home. This will be a long day, loading boxes and more (bicycles, furniture, your empty - but pretty so let's keep them - flower pots) into the moving track, travelling to the new location, and unloading on the other end.

This means that all your things need to be placed in boxes, in the days leading to the move. Last-minute decluttering is impossible unless you have a crew of many to help you (and of course, depending on your home's size and number of earthly possessions). Have you even thought about using some self-storage when your new space is not big enough?

There is of course a white glove service that you could try - this is where your movers do all of the metaphorical heavy lifting for you, moving every room's belongings into boxes. They know how to do this quickly and efficiently, have plenty of packing supplies, and are insured for breakages.

2. Keep some moving essentials close at hand

On a moving day, you need to keep some essentials close at hand, in a box or a bag. That includes everything you might need during your move and all the items you know you will need for your first night in your new home, like a change of clothes, fresh linen, and towels as well as a cooking pot and some cutlery and glasses for cooking your first meal in the new home.

And of course, if you have young kids, keep some of their essentials in a bag or suitcase. There is nothing worse than trying to find must-use-now baby products in a sea of boxes. So keep these separately, and mark the box so it's clear where to find these. You should also have plenty of snacks, water or sports drinks, toilet paper, and a first aid kit.

3. Remember to have your utilities set up in advance

When it comes to your new home's utilities, install them in advance so they will be ready when you reach your destination and start unpacking. This is especially important if some of the services were not previously available, like WiFi.

For utilities that are already available in the new home, as soon as you arrive, take a photo of the meter readings: for electricity, gas, and water.

You can then contact suppliers of your choice, give them the readings, and ask that they move these utilities in your name. If the property is rented, the landlord can do this for you unless utilities are included in your rent.

4. Shutting off utilities in your current home

As for utilities in your current home, schedule shut-offs for the day after your move. You don't want to finish moving in the dark because your home no longer has electricity. However, if you are not shutting off the utilities, you just need to again give 'final meter readings' to the supplier. Again, you must take clear pictures of all meter readings and upload to your supplier's website.

5. Withdraw some cash in advance

Even if you are used to paying for everything with a card or phone, you might need cash on moving day. Cash can always come in handy if you have to pay your movers in cash, tip them, buy snacks, or pay tolls. Try to withdraw money before moving day or before your movers show up.

6. Start the moving day with a healthy breakfast

No matter how stressed or overwhelmed you are, you can't afford to skip breakfast on a moving day. This is the most significant meal of the day, after all.

Make sure you get up early enough to sit down and eat a healthy breakfast. It will give you the energy needed to get through this special day.

7. Wear comfortable and functional clothes

We cannot stress this enough: Don't wear loose-fitting clothes on a moving day, and above all, don't wear sandals or high-heeled shoes. Your clothes and shoes should be comfortable but functional since you will lift boxes and move around all day.

You will get sweaty, so be sure you have a clean outfit to change into at the end of the day.

8. Try to keep children and pets out of harm's way

Moving day can also be extremely stressful for children and pets. If possible, arrange for them to spend the day with a family member or friend.

If that's not possible, keep them in a room, out of harm's way, with everything they need to play, nap, and eat. They need a quiet space to feel safe.

9. Make sure you have plenty of cleaning supplies

Stocking up on cleaning supplies is necessary to clean your new home as you get settled into it and tidy up the home you are leaving.

At the very least, you will need trash bags, a duster, paper towels, a universal cleaner, and a vacuum or a broom with a dustpan.

10. Don't move anything you're not supposed to

If the curtains, the blinds, and the appliances were already in your home when you moved in, they probably have to stay there. If the property you are moving out from is rented, you should check the inventory you signed when moving in. It will list all the items that go with the home!

List all the items that should stay to ensure you don't move anything you're not supposed to. You should also put sticky notes on them so your movers know they shouldn't touch them.

11. Do one last walk-through before leaving

The last of our easy tips for moving day is doing one last walk-through before leaving. Visit each room and open the closets, drawers, and cabinets. Put any forgotten items in an empty box or bag.

Moving to your new home can be easy if you follow these handy tips. Remember that it's ok to feel a little sad leaving your current home and neighbors, but think of all the adventures that await you in your shiny new home!

Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.

Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.