Known on Instagram for her @kiiraorganizing account, Kiira Vuorinen is a professional organiser who coordinates moves for her clients. According to Vuorinen, a successful move requires planning and decluttering, as well as openness to new possibilities and kindness to oneself.

Next, let's look at Vuorinen's five tips for moving successfully.

If possible, plan the layout of your new home carefully before moving in. Ideally, you should visit the home in advance.

"It's worth drawing a floor plan of the new home on paper, planning where the furniture will go, and even writing down in the cupboards where various items will be stored," says Kiira.

When packing, take advantage of the new home's layout plan and pack items so that the contents of each box can be unpacked into the same cupboard in the new home.

"Being organised during the moving process saves a lot of time when unpacking."

According to Vuorinen, it's best to start decluttering as soon as the move is confirmed – even two months in advance is not too early. Decluttering should be done in small segments to prevent the project from becoming too large and unmanageable.

"The aim is to avoid discovering strange items in moving boxes that you've never used when you arrive at the new home," says Vuorinen.

The philosophy of Japanese professional organiser and author Marie Kondo is to let go of items that do not spark joy. Vuorinen takes a more rational approach: if, for example, you haven't worn a piece of clothing for a year, you probably won't miss it in the future. You also don't need to own items you rarely use and can easily borrow or rent.

"For example, the few times I use a raclette grill, I borrow it from my mum," Vuorinen explains.

Decluttering may also unearth forgotten treasures, which can be prominently displayed in your new home. Vuorinen believes moving is an opportunity to fall in love with your belongings again.

Vuorinen compares moving to a new year: you can start fresh in your new home. Moving is a great chance to become more organised if you're seeking an easier life. When you declutter, pack systematically, and plan a place for everything in your new home, your home and its organisation become more manageable.

"It has been scientifically proven that order and a serene environment increase the production of feel-good hormones. Conversely, disorder and mess increase the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, especially in women," Vuorinen says.

A messy home also strains relationships, according to Vuorinen's experience.

"It's not one or two clients who have told me I saved their marriage."

A new environment can also inspire other life changes. Vuorinen recommends James Clear's book Atomic Habits, which states that the environment greatly influences human behaviour. For instance, if you ate unhealthily and irregularly in your previous home, it's easier to start eating better in your new home.

The most eco-friendly packing material is what you already have. Vuorinen suggests wrapping items like dishes in newspapers or kitchen towels. A vase can be wrapped in a jumper to keep it well protected.

"I often save a small amount of bubble wrap and other packing materials that accumulate at home before a move. It's nice to reuse packing materials rather than buy plastic that ends up in the bin after the move."

Even though a move can be organised perfectly, Vuorinen advises against putting too much pressure on yourself. The most important thing is to get the items from one place to another without exhausting yourself.

"There's a fine line in organising between doing things well and striving for perfection. Ordering has benefits, but I don't encourage going beyond your means," Vuorinen says.

You can choose your battles during a move: for some, having an organised fridge may be enough.

You might see pictures where items are perfectly categorised and arranged on social media. Still, it's important to remember that a photo only captures a small part of a home. You can take ideas and inspiration from them, but you don't have to replicate them perfectly. Vuorinen also notes that different people have different realities and capabilities.

"For example, a family's ability to maintain order is very different from that of a single person or a couple. Even Marie Kondo reportedly stopped folding clothes upright after her third child," Vuorinen points out.