Packing well for an upcoming move can save a lot of stress, time and money. Read on to learn tips and trick on how to do it like a pro!
*Pro Tip* Pack for your new space, not your old. Whether you are upsizing, downsizing or relocating to a similar place, alway keep the specs of your new home in mind. Less storage space? Pay attention to the next step (decluttering). Steep or oddly shaped stairs? Make it easier for your movers and yourself by focusing on disassembling furniture. Always keep the new place in mind when packing.
Decluter
Decluttering before you even think of packing will make the whole process much easier. Not only will you have to pack less, you will also get a clear picture of everything you own. Not to mention the great feeling of starting fresh in the new place.
Decluttering tips and tricks:
- Begin with the obvious throw away items. Broken and old things overdue for their garbage trip, get rid of them.
- Donation items. Mismatched set of decor that you never even liked anyway. Donate it to someone who will appreciate them much more.
- Keep an eye out for things that could be sold. If you are decluttering well in advance of your move and have some time, sell things you no longer want on Craigslist or host a garage sale.
Materials
*Pro Tip* If you are hiring professional movers to help with your move, ask if they provide any packing materials.
*Pro Tip 2* Check to see if you already have containers that can be used for packing, for example plastic storage bins.
- Moving blankets. Most large items and furniture can be wrapped with padded moving blankets. To figure out how many you will need, multiply the number of bedrooms by 2 (ex. 2 bedroom apartment x 2 = 24 moving blankets).
- Boxes. Although there are many types of boxes (wardrobe boxes, mattress boxes, art crates, plastic bins, etc) standard small, medium and large boxes will be sufficient for most moving jobs.
- *Pro Tip* Check these places for free moving boxes:
- Craigslist under “free” section
- Grocery stores
- Book stores
- Hardware stores
- *Pro Tip* Check these places for free moving boxes:
- Markers. For labeling boxes.
- Protective materials.
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper (newspaper is a great free alternative)
- Shrink wrap
- Tape. Most options for tape will work just fine, but shipping tape is best. This kind of tape is affordable, strong, very sticky and water resistant.
- Boxcutter. More important for unpacking, but good to have at all stages of the move.
Organizing
Organizing your boxes and items will make unpacking a breeze.
- Pack and label items by room.
- Place heavier items on the bottom of the container and lighter things on top.
- Pack boxes tightly. This not only preserves valuable space, but also prevents things from moving around and getting damaged during transport.
- For the same reason as above, tape boxes carefully.
*Pro Tip* Create an essentials box. This box should include medication, extra set of clothes, essential toiletries, paperwork important for the move. Keep this box in an easily accessible place at all times.
Prohibited Items
Hiring a moving company can be a great help, but it is important to know what they will not move so you can move those items yourself or throw them away.
- Cleaning chemicals
- Perishable or open food
- Pets (you wouldn’t want that anyway, the conditions in moving trucks are typically less than desirable for animals)
- Plants. This however is at the company’s discretion.
- Valuables. Again, at the moving company’s discretion. Think about it this way, can the items in question actually be replaced (financially or otherwise)? If the answer is no, it is recommended you transport the item yourself.
With proper organization and preparation ahead of time, the big day of the move will go by much smoother.