There's no doubt that moving to your new home in the New York metro area can be stressful. But with a little organization, you can make it as smooth as possible.

Keep a list. Get a notebook and create a master inventory list before you even start packing. Assign each box a number and write down the contents (being as specific as possible) on your list. 

Color code your stuff. Designate a color for each room of the house, e.g. red for the kitchen and blue for the master bedroom. When you arrive at your new home, place the matching color sign on each room so movers can instantly identify where boxes belong.

Utilize your luggage. Fill your travel bags with your clothes, cleaning supplies and sheets. You’ll be able to retrieve them quickly from a stack of boxes. 

Go for garment boxes. You can ship clothing on their hangers with these neat boxes. Buy or rent them from a storage facility or moving company.

Pack consistently. You want to fill boxes to capacity without making them too heavy to lift. In other words, you don’t want them to get crushed but you don’t want them to fall apart. You should also pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on top.

Provide a cushion. Place a two-inch layer of crushed paper at the bottom of your boxes and fill empty spaces with crushed paper, peanuts or bubble wrap. You can even use towels and lightweight blankets.

Avoid the mess. Use unprinted newsprint or packing paper instead of newspaper to wrap your breakable items. The newsprint can stain your hands and dishes.

Eye your electronics. Before you disassemble your computer and stereo equipment, use colored stickers to mark both the cord and where it gets plugged into the device. This will be a sanity saver when it comes time to put it all together again.

Pack books and plates vertically. This will utilize their maximum structural strength. 

Keep parts together. Place removed hardware in a plastic ziptop bag and tape it to the item to which it belongs.