Britain's Busiest Moving Day is Coming: The Home Essential Most Homeowners Forget

With more than 22,000 households expected to move on Friday 29 August, Hillarys is urging homeowners not to overlook their windows when planning a move this summer.

Research shows that Friday 29 August is set to be the busiest day for home moves in August 2025, with four times more households moving than on an average day.

While many movers focus on sofas, storage and decorating, window dressings are often left until last, meaning many households spend their first days and weeks without adequate privacy, light control or insulation.

According to home interiors experts at Hillarys, planning window furnishings before moving day can help homeowners settle into their new space more quickly and comfortably, especially if another heatwave is on the cards.

Victoria Robinson, Product Expert at Hillarys, comments:

"When people move home, window dressings are often one of the last things they think about. However, during warmer weather they're one of the easiest ways to improve comfort straight away and make your new house feel like a home quickly.

"The right blinds, curtains or shutters can help manage sunlight throughout the day, reducing glare and helping rooms feel more comfortable when temperatures rise.

"If you're moving home this August, it's worth making a plan for your windows before moving day arrives. Not only can it help make a new property feel finished faster, but it can also create a more comfortable environment while you're unpacking."

Five Tips for Moving During a Heatwave

1. Identify the Sunniest Rooms First

South and west-facing rooms typically receive the most direct sunlight during the day and can become noticeably warmer than the rest of the house, particularly in the afternoon and evening. When moving into a new property, take note of which rooms are exposed to the strongest sunlight and prioritise these spaces when thinking about blinds, curtains or shutters. Tackling these rooms first can help make your home feel more comfortable straight away and reduce overheating while you're unpacking.

2. Keep Blinds Closed During Peak Sunlight Hours

One of the simplest ways to prevent rooms from becoming too hot is to close blinds or curtains before direct sunlight hits the window. Waiting until a room already feels warm means the heat has often already entered the space. By keeping windows shaded during the hottest part of the day, you can help minimise glare, protect furnishings from sun damage and create a cooler environment to work in while moving boxes and arranging furniture.

3. Don't Wait Until After You've Unpacked

Window furnishings are often viewed as a finishing touch, but they can have an immediate impact on comfort and privacy. Planning your window coverings before moving day means you can enjoy better light control, improved privacy and a more finished feel from the moment you move in. With so much else to organise during a house move, getting ahead with window treatments can help make settling into your new home a much smoother experience.

4. Consider Light-Filtering Fabrics

Not every room needs complete blackout. Light-filtering fabrics are a great option for living rooms, kitchens and home offices because they help diffuse harsh sunlight while still allowing natural light to brighten the space. This can create a more comfortable atmosphere during a heatwave, reducing glare on screens and preventing rooms from feeling dark or enclosed while still helping to manage the intensity of the sun.

5. Prioritise Bedrooms

A comfortable bedroom can make all the difference during periods of hot weather. Bedrooms can retain heat well into the evening, making it harder to relax and sleep. Choosing suitable window coverings, such as blackout blinds or lined curtains, can help block out early morning sunlight and create a darker, more restful environment. If you're moving during a heatwave, making bedrooms a priority can help ensure everyone gets a better night's sleep while adjusting to their new surroundings.

Victoria adds:

"Moving home can be stressful at the best of times, and doing it during a heatwave brings another challenge altogether. While many people focus on furniture and décor, window dressings can have a huge impact on how comfortable a home feels from day one. By thinking about privacy, light control and managing direct sunlight early in the moving process, homeowners can create a cooler, more welcoming space while they're settling into their new home."