The decision is made; you will soon be moving abroad (for a while). This exciting adventure requires a lot of practical arrangements, such as moving your belongings or some of your furniture and your personal belongings, of course. A smooth move abroad requires good planning and organization. But what is involved when moving your furniture to another country? We explain the 'do's & don'ts' for a smooth move.
Moving furniture abroad - what to take into account?
Planning your international move thoroughly
Even before you start packing your belongings, it is important to have a clear plan in mind; What items are you going to take abroad? Which ones could you possibly miss for a while? Everything depends on how long the period you will spend abroad is.
Moving abroad for a short period
If you are only going to work abroad for a few months, you obviously do not want to take all your belongings with you. The costs and hassle of moving furniture internationally are outweighed by finding a local alternative. Some possibilities? Consider renting a fully furnished apartment or house. Or how about renting furniture, decoration and electronics for a few months? That is also an interesting solution than an entire move for just a short period.
Moving your furniture - a step by step guide
Moving your furniture involves a lot, it can feel like a complete burden. Especially if you want to take your belongings to another country, there are a number of things to take into account.
- Packing furniture
To ensure that your furniture arrives safely, it is important that you pack it carefully. So if you take all your belongings with you to your new destination, make sure you have meters and meters of bubble wrap and packaging materials at hand. Cardboard boxes are also important when moving internationally, to accommodate smaller items.
Will your furniture be transported by moving van or truck? Then you can pack everything yourself, but if you have to use a container for transport by sea or air, you must also take additional account of maximum weight and volume.
- Choose a moving company
To ensure that your international move runs smoothly, it is important to choose a reliable partner. Research different moving companies that move to your destination country and who also assist you in arranging transportation. Most moving companies offer a professional packing service, so you don't have to worry about that either. Request various quotes for an interesting price.
- Customs regulations and insurance
When moving to another country, there are issues such as customs regulations and other paperwork. Especially when you choose transport by sea or air, it is important that you comply with all formalities. So research the requirements for the country of destination in advance, because you are obviously not allowed to import everything into every country.
And insurance for moving your belongings is also something important to consider. By picking the right insurance, you can rest assured that your personal belongings will arrive safely at their destination.
Moving your furniture abroad undoubtedly brings some worries. Especially when you are moving for only a short period, the costs are high compared to the benefits of having your own furniture at your destination. Not to mention the hassle of an international move.
Fortunately, there are many interesting alternatives for moving furniture internationally. We see that expat families, for example, have many creative solutions for when they cannot move their belongings for a temporary stay. Furniture rental is one of these interesting solutions.
Furniture rental as an alternative to moving your belongings
If you only need temporary furniture for your home abroad, renting a complete furniture package can offer a good solution.
The advantage of this is that you can put together furniture according to your own style and the needs of your family. You can choose the complete furnishing of the dining room and living room, but also of the bedrooms, office space, baby room and so on. Did you know that you can even rent electronics and kitchen equipment?
At In-Lease we offer expats, diplomats and families who temporarily live abroad the option to fully furnish their home with rented furniture. There are various rental contracts available, all depending on the period for which you want to furnish your home. Ideal to relieve the stress of an international move.
Discover our rental plans
Buy (second-hand) furniture
Although purchasing new furniture is not an interesting option if you only have to furnish a home abroad temporarily, it can offer added value under certain circumstances. For example, consider when you can find some interesting second-hand furniture or when you can take it over from an expat family that is moving back home. You can often also supplement second-hand furniture with DIY furniture. Especially if you are quite handy, you can put together or refurbish a table or lounge sofa yourself, for a solution at an attractive price.
Rent a furnished home
An ideal solution for temporarily living somewhere is renting a furnished house or apartment. You don't have to worry about furnishing all the rooms and you don't have to invest in new furniture. On the other hand, finding a furnished temporary home is a bigger challenge than a home that you have to furnish yourself. And it is possible that the furnishings do not match your own style at all.
Looking for the perfect solution to furnish your temporary housing?
Are you not at all planning to mov your belongings abroad? Are you looking for a solution that is easier and often even cheaper?
Contact us and discover the possibilities of furniture rental at various locations in Europe.
