Now you see it: stackable easy-access bins.

Stackable, see-through or reach-in bins make great homes for those toy collections. Amazon has open bins that let kids just grab and go. Leave them in easy-to-match white or paint them to match your room décor. This space-saving model adds a quick pop of colour to a room with no effort required. Prefer bins that keep the mess out of sight? Glue a sample toy to the outside of each box so kids quickly know what’s inside each bin. There are soft, whimsical storage options to de-clutter your baby’s room too: organize while enhancing your décor!.

Raise the bar and hang it up.

Any decorator will tell you that an easy way to create visual space is by getting things off the floor. In other words, think higher and a little more creatively. Park all those toy cars on the walls with a little magnetic tape or a magnetic bar. Repurpose an over-the-door clear shoe holder to store Lego, puzzle pieces, action figures, Barbie dolls, or even teen makeup and jewellery. Paint some wooden hooks in colours to match your décor and hang up backpacks, jackets, shoes (by their laces), hats or even clear bags of toys. Hang an animal hammock and give that stuffed animal collection a new home off the bed or floor.

Double up on duty. 

Multi-tasking pieces are especially valuable in small spaces. Storage benches not only keep toys out of sight, but they also serve as spaces for kids to curl up and play. Use them to tuck away stuffed animals, books, games, blankets, even out-of-season clothes. Time for a new bed? Choose a bed with drawers beneath it for extra storage. Or, for a younger child, opt for a cute playmat and toy bag in one.  

Clim the walls.

Draw the eye in different directions by mixing in a Think vertical and use your wall space to your storage advantage.

Channel your creative side and build and paint some cubes and organize books in them. Prefer a quicker solution? Order ready-made shelves and paint your own in colours to match the room.

Here’s another idea: paint an entire wall with magnetic paint, hot glue puzzle pieces, toys or brightly coloured buttons to magnets and create a giant bulletin board to clear off a desk.

Similarly, you can cover a wall with cork tiles and buy some colourful pushpins for the same result. 

Now you see it: stackable easy-access bins.

Stackable, see-through or reach-in bins make great homes for those toy collections. Amazon has open bins that let kids just grab and go. Leave them in easy-to-match white or paint them to match your room décor. This space-saving model adds a quick pop of colour to a room with no effort required. Prefer bins that keep the mess out of sight? Glue a sample toy to the outside of each box so kids quickly know what’s inside each bin. There are soft, whimsical storage options to de-clutter your baby’s room too: organize while enhancing your décor!.

Raise the bar and hang it up.

Any decorator will tell you that an easy way to create visual space is by getting things off the floor. In other words, think higher and a little more creatively. Park all those toy cars on the walls with a little magnetic tape or a magnetic bar. Repurpose an over-the-door clear shoe holder to store Lego, puzzle pieces, action figures, Barbie dolls, or even teen makeup and jewellery. Paint some wooden hooks in colours to match your décor and hang up backpacks, jackets, shoes (by their laces), hats or even clear bags of toys. Hang an animal hammock and give that stuffed animal collection a new home off the bed or floor.

Double up on duty. 

Multi-tasking pieces are especially valuable in small spaces. Storage benches not only keep toys out of sight, but they also serve as spaces for kids to curl up and play. Use them to tuck away stuffed animals, books, games, blankets, even out-of-season clothes. Time for a new bed? Choose a bed with drawers beneath it for extra storage. Or, for a younger child, opt for a cute playmat and toy bag in one.  

Clim the walls.

Draw the eye in different directions by mixing in a Think vertical and use your wall space to your storage advantage.

Channel your creative side and build and paint some cubes and organize books in them. Prefer a quicker solution? Order ready-made shelves and paint your own in colours to match the room.

Here’s another idea: paint an entire wall with magnetic paint, hot glue puzzle pieces, toys or brightly coloured buttons to magnets and create a giant bulletin board to clear off a desk.

Similarly, you can cover a wall with cork tiles and buy some colourful pushpins for the same result. 

Plan like a pro

Adequate planning and preparation are key to your success on moving day. By planning for your move properly, you won’t end up short on time and scrambling to get everything done by deadline. Investigate your moving company before you make a selection by checking references and obtaining a firm quote for both moving and unloading. Reduce the amount of food you buy a few weeks before you move so you have less to transport in coolers on moving day. As the big day approaches, pack a necessities bag for each family
member so you won’t be missing important items if moving day runs late due to weather or any last-minute requirements. This bag should have essentials to get everyone through a couple of days during the unpacking process.

pack less

It’s simple math – you won’t have to pack as much if you have less stuff. Your living environment can cause some serious strain on you emotionally, especially if it is overflowing with items you never use or wear. Often, as clutter builds, so does stress. By purging your belongings, you can gain a sense of calm seeing how much more organized a household can be. Put on your editor’s hat and toss out clothes that you haven’t worn in over one year, any items that are tattered or worn, and fast fashion items that you don’t see yourself wanting to take through another year. Get the whole family involved, allotting each member their own box to fill with items for donation they can live without. Some worthy organizations that have clothing donation bins across the country are Diabetes Canada and The Salvation Army. Check your listings for local charities that accept or even pick up clothing and household items from you.

Get the tools

You need the right materials and tools to make your life easier as you pack for the big move. Stock up on supplies such as packing tape (buy more than you think you’ll need), buy new carboard boxes or collect used ones from grocery or liquor stores, pick up a roll end of blank newsprint from your local newspaper or print shop, and test all your markers to make sure they work. There is nothing worse than getting into your packing groove and realizing you’ve run out of tape and the store is closed.

For more information on how to pack items safely, visit the Helpful Tools section of our website.

Make pre-cleaning a priority

Avoid the dreaded cleaning and unpacking at the same time scenario. Plan to clean or at least dust objects before you pack them away. By scheduling time before moving day to ensure your belongings are spotless before they go into the box, you’ll feel comfortable finding new places for your belongings as soon as you open boxes to unpack. For the space you are leaving, many people opt for hiring cleaners to make sure the empty home is thoroughly sanitized from fridge to toilets to windows.

Label with purpose

Think of a moving box as a blank slate. Use a heavy, well-inked marker to include the final destination (room name) of each box. Make sure to do this on at least two sides of the box, so it can easily be read when stacked. Then, use the extra space on the box to list key items you may need to access right away. Think corkscrew, nightlights, batteries.

Before embarking on your yard sale odyssey, it’s important to do some research. There are a number of products which must meet safety requirements under the Hazardous Products Act. Car seats, garden torches, and helmets, among others, need to meet certain requirements for legal resale. We suggest checking this list compiling banned garage sale items and reading Health Canada’s Facts for Garage Sale Vendors.

To help you get started on your moving sale, we’ve compiled our top 3 tips for making it easy.

Moving Sale Tip #1: Categorize Your Items

Visitors will have a better time navigating your market if it’s well-organized. Not only does it need to be easy to get through—it also needs to be well-presented. Be sure to wipe that layer of dust off your wares and avoid trying to sell broken items. The more efficiently they find what they’re looking for, the more likely they are to continue browsing—and buying!

Create Sections for Easier Shopping

While garage sales shoppers are all about the hunt for treasures, that doesn’t necessarily mean they want to dig through a box of random toys, kids’ clothes, and pet accessories to possibly find a gem. Create different sections for clothing, toys, ceramics, movies, and anything else that might be available. Some people are hunting specifically for lamps, kitchen items, or media, so give them the chance to access these items quickly and easily.

 Make Clothing Accessible

Sizing is a must when it comes to wardrobe. Separate different sizes (especially for kids’ clothes, a popular department at yard sales) so shoppers can browse the sizes they are looking for. Additionally, if you clearly mark shoes with their sizes, fewer people will be trying on shoes that don’t fit—keeping that section from getting congested throughout the day. Create a distinct area for accessories, as well—hats, belts, and scarves can be grouped together or separately, depending on quantity.

Be Smart About Pricing

Pricing items can be tricky. The cost needs to be low enough that it will sell, but high enough it will be worthwhile. Consider the retail value of the product (tip 7 in this blog), as well as the personal value of that item. If you’re really interested in getting rid of something before you move, such as a large piece of furniture, it might be worth pricing it conservatively, so you don’t wind up having to move it.

While it might be tempting to price things all at once on the morning of your yard sale, this may not be the best method. Dedicated garage-salers will be out first thing in the morning to get the best bargains around the neighbourhood. Price your items as you’re boxing them up for your sale to save some time and energy. Group pricing, like charging $10 for each shirt or 3 for $25, can save you a lot of time and possibly bring more sales. Most importantly, keep prices to quarter or whole-dollars denominations to make on-the-fly addition and change-making a snap.

Moving Sale Tip #2: Offer Snacks & Drinks

If you have kids who are eager helpers, consider allowing them to oversee a refreshment table. This will keep them busy and out of your way. Let them give away food and snacks to those attending your yard sale. Include a tip jar if you like but be sure to check your local laws if you plan on selling food at your yard sale, as you may need a permit.

A Delicious Energy Boost

Lemonade or iced tea can be served out of a large jug or dispenser; add lots of ice on hot days. In the morning or on chilly days, keep carafes of coffee and hot water for tea on-hand. These refreshing or warming beverages will delight your browsers and extend their patience.

Be Allergy Friendly

Not everyone can eat nuts, eggs, gluten, or dairy. Do your best to avoid them where possible, but if you can’t get around them, common allergens should all be clearly indicated. If you’re quite keen, you can even attempt to make all your treats allergen-free, to avoid cross-contamination or accidental ingestion.

Moving Sale Tip #3: Spread the Word

Don’t forget to advertise! Who can go to your garage sale if they don’t know it’s happening? The more people who know about your sale, the more successful it will be. Word of mouth is a good start—tell your friends, family, and neighbours about your market and encourage them to tell their social circle. However, don’t rely on this alone.

Signage Success

Make flyers to put up around the neighbourhood. Put them up in local businesses, like grocery stores and post offices, that frequently have a bulletin board for posters. Don’t forget to ask for permission—many places will require a stamp of approval. If it’s not approved, your flyer may get taken down. You can place temporary signage in the neighbourhood, where allowed, that includes directions to help funnel people to your sale. Balloons, flags, and bright colours are fabulous attention-grabbers.

Your signs should have the location of your sale, as well the types of items you’re selling. Include prices where applicable and be sure to mention items that may be of special interest, like kitchen appliances, furniture, or baby accessories. If you can, add photos of your unique wares on your signs.

Social Media Mentions

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are all useful platforms for advertising your yard sale. Create a Facebook event page where you can invite friends. You can also keep it public, so attendees can invite more people. Consider posting photos of your sale preparations with the date of the moving sale in the days leading up to it. On the day of, you could take photos or videos of the event or products for sale to entice your followers to check it out.

Online Marketplaces

People are checking online marketplaces every day. According to Global News, Kijiji Canada has 12 million monthly visits. Advertising your yard sale on Kijiji, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace could significantly boost traffic. Add your signage and items to your listing to help searchers get a good idea of what you have for sale to attract the right customers.

It’s Worth the Work

A moving sale is a big event that takes lots of groundwork. However, the work is well worth the effort. Not only will you have extra money for moving expenses—you’ll have fewer things to pack into the moving truck. When you arrive at your new place, you’ll have less to unpack and more room to settle in.