Excited about building or buying a new custom Florida home but NOT excited about the packing and moving processes?
Overwhelm is real. And, because many of us at ICI Homes have been there too, we’re glad to pass along helpful tips to reduce it, especially for customers from other states and climates.
Perhaps the most impactful tip is dealing with what you already own. The second most impactful tip is planning how to unpack what you keep and where to stow it.
Here’s more on what to do with stuff before you move to Florida.
Key takeaways
Don’t move what you don’t need—sell, donate, or gift extra furniture, appliances, and clutter before the big move.
Florida homes don’t have basements, so planning storage in advance is key—especially if you’re used to having one.
Avoid turning your new garage into a long-term storage unit by organizing and downsizing ahead of time.
Decluttering early, especially when staging your current home, can save time and stress later.
ICI Homes’ customization options let you plan built-in storage and functional spaces tailored to your lifestyle—before you even move in.
Good to know now
There are several reasons why it’s smart to address your stuff before you move into a new custom Florida home.
The first reason — why pay to move items you don’t want or need? You know you’re done with your antique furniture phase. Pass on items to friends or family members, or sell it via consignment shops or online marketplaces.
The second reason speaks to first-time Florida residents — you won’t have a basement due to the state’s geology. Not only are its coasts near or at sea level, its inland limestone backbone known as the Florida Aquifer is a major source of freshwater. Which you don’t have to dig far to find.
The third reason — once you move, it’s tempting to plop moving boxes in a pristine garage and use it as a temporary warehouse rather than shimmying between all those containers inside.
However, weeks pass and you and yours are still driveway parking, possibly blocking sidewalks, or street parking, which could annoy new neighbors or your homeowners association. Worse, your new garage might become a permanent storage facility.
All three examples are good motivation to reduce your “stuff” footprint pre-move.
Declutter is a good verb
Start the day you sign your ICI Homes contract.
If you’re selling a current home, you know you’ll need to clean, clear and tidy up for market listing photos. Use that time to jettison anything unnecessary, unneeded or that has outlived its usefulness.
Three coffeemakers, anyone? Don’t laugh!
Separate discards into categories to sell, donate or trash. Then follow through on those actions.
Design around it
Another awesome way to pre-plan your stuff.
Knowing how much room you’ll have in advance allows you to focus on streamlining and decluttering well before you move. ICI Homes helps you do this through our dedication to customization. Meet with one of our floor plan designers to go over your floor plan and tweak it to your specifications.
Need more closets? Built-in shelves in a home office? Extra storage cabinets in the laundry room? Our design pros move walls to get you there.
This is helpful for collections, placing existing furniture and furnishings, and creating spaces for hobbies, remote work, family activity rooms or home gyms.
When you move, you’ll have space for everything and everything in its place!
Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.
Overwhelm is real. And, because many of us at ICI Homes have been there too, we’re glad to pass along helpful tips to reduce it, especially for customers from other states and climates.
