Moving into a bungalow is easier when you plan around one thing: all your daily living now happens on a single floor. That means measuring rooms before you move furniture, deciding early what goes in the basement and garage, and packing by zone so unpacking is fast. Here’s a practical plan from first measurements to your first week.
Key takeaways
- Use a floor plan to decide where every large piece of furniture will go.
- Bungalows often have less main-floor storage, so plan the basement and garage early.
- Pack and label boxes by destination room, not by the room they came from.
- Set up the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen first so day one feels like home.
Start with a floor plan, not a moving truck
Many people moving into a bungalow come from a two-storey home with more rooms. The total space may be similar once you count the basement, but the main floor holds more of your daily life.
Before you book movers, get a measured floor plan. Ask your agent or the seller, or measure during a final visit. Then follow these steps:
- Measure your large furniture: beds, sofas, dining table, dressers and desks.
- Sketch where each piece will go in the new rooms.
- Check doorways and hallway turns, especially into bedrooms and the basement.
- Leave clear walking paths. Aim for space to move around beds and through the kitchen.
- Mark anything that won’t fit, and decide whether to sell, donate or give it to family.
Bungalow tip: Basement stairs in older bungalows can be narrow and turn tightly. Measure the stairwell before you plan to put a sofa, bed or treadmill downstairs.
Decide what lives on the main floor vs the basement
A bungalow works best when the main floor holds what you use every day. Everything else can go downstairs or into the garage.
| Main floor | Basement | Garage or shed |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday dishes and cookware | Holiday decor and seasonal clothing | Garden tools and outdoor furniture |
| Daily clothes and linens | Guest bedding and extra towels | Snow shovels and salt |
| Cleaning supplies you use weekly | Bulk pantry items | Bikes and sports gear |
| Home office essentials | Hobby and craft supplies | Paint and renovation leftovers |
| Medications and first aid | Files and keepsakes | Car care items |
If you’re moving to reduce stairs, keep the basement for occasional items only. For more ideas, see our guide to bungalow storage ideas.
How to pack for a bungalow move
Label by destination
Label each box with the room it’s going to in the new home, plus “main” or “basement”. Movers can drop boxes in the right place on the first trip, so you’re not hauling them up and down stairs later.
Use colour codes
Give each room a coloured sticker and put a matching sticker on that room’s door in the new home. It speeds up unloading and helps if friends or family are helping.
Pack an open-first box
Pack one box per person with essentials for the first night: toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, bedding, a kettle, mugs, snacks, toilet paper and a basic tool kit.
Photograph electronics
Snap a photo of the cables behind your TV and computer before you unplug them. Reconnecting is much faster later.
Moving day: protect the home and your back
One-level homes are easier to move into, but a few steps keep the day smooth.
- Protect floors. Lay down runners or cardboard on the main traffic path, especially over hardwood.
- Clear the driveway so the truck can park close to the door.
- Prop doors open safely and remove screen doors if they block the path.
- Assign one person to direct movers to the right rooms.
- Keep kids and pets in one closed room or with a sitter for the day.
- Take meter photos for hydro, gas and water when you arrive.
Setting up your new one-level home
Unpack in this order, and your bungalow will feel like home within a day or two:
- Bedrooms and beds, so everyone can sleep well the first night.
- Bathrooms, with towels, toiletries and a shower curtain.
- Kitchen basics: a few dishes, a pot, a pan and the coffee maker.
- Living room, once the essentials are done.
- Basement and garage, at your own pace.
This is also the time to add simple safety and comfort upgrades. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level. Add night lights in the hallway between bedrooms and the bathroom. If you’re planning to age in place, consider grab bars and lever handles while the house is still empty.
Don’t forget the paperwork side of a move. Our change of address checklist covers government ID, the CRA, utilities and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easier to move into a bungalow than a two-storey house?
Usually, yes. With most rooms on one level, movers carry less up and down stairs, though a basement can still mean some stair work.
What should I do with furniture that doesn’t fit?
Offer it to family first, then sell or donate it. Decide before moving day so you don’t pay to move pieces you won’t use.
How can I make a smaller bungalow feel spacious?
Choose fewer, well-scaled pieces, keep walkways clear and use the basement for occasional items. Light colours and good lighting help too.
Settling in for the long run
A good bungalow move is mostly about decisions made before the truck arrives. Measure, plan where things will live and pack by destination, and moving day becomes much simpler.
Still looking for the right one-level home? Browse bungalows for sale across Ontario or try the bungalow swipe tool to find styles you love.
