Did you enjoy your last move? If you are like most people, you probably found yourself tripping over boxes, going through drawers, and filling up trashcans. However, you might be able to streamline your relocation by taking care of a few things beforehand. Here are two ways to move smarter, so that you can enjoy the experience:

1: Communicate Effectively With Your Moving Company

After you set up an appointment with a moving company, you might feel like your job is done. However, you might be able to avoid a few hassles along the way by taking the time to go through certain details of your move with the professionals. Here are a few things that you should discuss with movers, and why it will matter later:

• Inventory: To get a better idea of how many people they need to send, most professional moving companies will call you beforehand to ask about your stuff. Although it might seem like a silly detail, failure to depict an accurate inventory level might cause problems later. If movers discover loads of heavy furniture and packed attics when they arrive, it could delay things. Before you call movers, go through your house and make notes about the size of filled rooms, heavy furniture pieces, and storage areas.
• Accessibility: Do you live on a main floor or the third story of a walkout apartment complex? To plan your move, professionals will want to know how easy it is to get to your front door. Talk with movers about stairs entering and exiting your home, and whether or not a moving truck can be parked in close proximity to your place. 
• Timeline: Do you need to move out of your old apartment or close on your new home by a certain date? If you are restricted by timelines, make sure to discuss important dates with your movers, so they can stay within schedule. 
• Prohibited Items: Believe it or not, movers can't just transport any old thing you pack into a box. Talk with your moving company about potentially prohibited items, such as weaponry, ammunition, chemicals, and paint.

Talking with your moving company might help you to anticipate and resolve problems, before they ever occur.  

2: Buy the Right Supplies

Moving can get expensive, which is why you might be tempted to skimp on the packing supplies. However, the boxes you choose can significantly impact your move. Here are a few supplies you should pick up before moving day, and how they can make a big difference:

• High-Quality Moving Boxes: Have you ever wondered why some cardboard boxes can hold just about anything, while others fail as soon as you fill them to the brim? The fact of the matter is that cardboard boxes are rated for strength. Look for cardboard boxes with high burst strength ratings, so that you won't have to worry about your heavy books spilling down the stairs.
• Stretch Wrap: Wouldn't it be nice if you could simultaneously keep those dresser drawers from sliding out and protect your furniture from scrapes? Fortunately, stretch wrap can provide both services. Stretch wrap is a super sturdy, stretchy plastic that clings to itself. With stretch wrap, you can quickly encase your furniture in a protective layer of plastic, which will keep your things clean and safe during the journey.
• Color-Coded Labels: To take the guesswork out of moving, create color-coded labels for all of your stuff. Using simple construction paper and a printer, assign a color and a title for each room of your place, and make sheets of large labels. When you get to your new place, hang a corresponding color-coded sheet on the door of each room so that movers can quickly deliver objects to the right location.
• Electronics Boxes: Those extra grocery store boxes might have been free, but will they protect your electronics from damaging static electricity? Instead of braving it, invest in specialized electronics boxes that will protect your items from charges with special liners.

Making smart moving decisions might help you to avoid hassles, and keep your stuff in better shape.