This is a collaborative post
Moving into a house is such a vast life adventure. But, let’s be honest, packing for the move can feel completely overwhelming. If you’re about to embark on a big house-moving experience, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a go-to guide on how to pack for your house move with our top trade secrets.
Our aim is to help you avoid common mistakes and make the process as smooth as possible.
So please grab a cup of tea, put on your favourite playlist, and let’s get started!
1. Start Early
Packing is like eating a big meal; it’s best done one bite at a time. Starting early will prevent any last-minute panic, with six to eight weeks before your moving date being the best time to get stuck in. This way, you’ll have time to sort through your belongings, declutter and pack in a relaxed manner.
2. Declutter First
Before diving into packing, take a look at all your stuff. Trust us; those souvenir shot glasses from the vacations of your youth might not be necessary anymore. It’s time to donate, sell or even toss things that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. After all, it’s the Marie Kondo way. Not only will this simplify the process of packing, but it’ll also reduce the weight of your belongings, cutting down on moving expenses.
Simplifying Your Wardrobe
When it comes to packing your clothes, it can be quite a big challenge. But it’s actually the perfect opportunity to get stuck in and tidy up your closet. Start by going through your clothes, setting aside the ones you no longer wear or need and consider donating or selling them. As for the remaining clothes you’re keeping, sort them based on the season and type they belong to. Keep current season garments within reach and pack away the off-season clothing first.
3. Use Packing Supplies
To pack like a professional make sure you have the right tools for the job. Stock up on boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, paper and markers for labelling. You can find these items at any big home outlet or store specialising in moving supplies. But if that fails, head to everyone’s best friend, Google, and order them online.
4. Label Everything
We can’t emphasise it enough: labelling is crucial when moving. Mark each box with its contents and indicate which room it belongs to. Trust us, you’ll appreciate this later when you’re searching for your coffee maker amidst a sea of boxes. Plus, if you need to use self-storage between your moves, labelling makes everything easily identifiable to smooth running.
5. Pack Room by Room
One mistake when packing is mixing items from different rooms. To stay really organised, pack one room at a time. This approach will make unpacking on the other side much, much easier. Making the extra effort with little steps like this help you maintain your sanity during the craziness of moving day.
Using Special Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are really handy when you’re moving lots of clothes. These tall boxes come with a built-in hanging rod, allowing you to transfer your clothes from the closet into the box without having to fold or wrinkle them. You can also save space by placing shoes and lightweight items at the bottom of these boxes.
Packing Folded Garments
For folded clothing items you have two options; vacuum sealed bags or regular boxes. Keeping your clothes folded will really help keep those wrinkles to an absolute minimum. Don’t forget to label each box or bag with its contents and the room where they belong. This will make unpacking and organising your closet much more manageable.
6. Group Things Together
Resist the urge to toss items together in a box haphazardly. Instead, group similar things together. For instance, keep kitchen gadgets with kitchen paraphernalia and keep all your books with their designated rooms. This not only reduces the risk of damage, but also makes unpacking much more efficient on the other side.
7. Pack an Essentials Box
Imagine this; you’ve just moved into your place you’re absolutely, bone-achingly exhausted. But you can’t find your toothbrush or clean underwear! Prevent this nightmare by packing an “essentials” box containing items you’ll need on the day, like toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents and some snacks.
8. Look After Your Fragile Items
Fragile items require more special attention and care during the big move. Wrap them individually in bubble wrap or packing paper and use boxes with ample cushioning. Don’t forget to label these boxes as “Fragile” to ensure they receive proper handling from any moving companies you might be using.
Protecting Fragile Items
Fragile items like glassware, china and artwork require careful attention during packing. So how do you protect them?
- Individually wrap each piece with packing paper.
- Provide cushioning inside the box.
- Use bubble wrap, foam sheets, clothes, and towels for added protection.
- Clearly label these boxes as “Fragile” and “Handle with Care.”
- Place these boxes on top of other items in the moving van to reduce the chance of breakage.
Taking that little bit extra time to pack delicate items properly will help prevent breakages and subsequent replacements and alleviate headaches during the already stressful unpacking experience.
Ensuring Safe Packaging for Electronics
When it comes to packing your electronics, it’s crucial to be thorough and meticulous (even if it’s not your forte.) Start by disconnecting and labelling all cables, ensuring they are organised to prevent nasty knots and tangles. If you have the original packaging for your devices, utilise it as they often give the best possible protection. If not, wrap them carefully in static bubble wrap and pop them securely in appropriately sized boxes. Don’t forget to remove any ink cartridges, batteries or fragile components from devices before getting stuck into packing.
Handling Important Documents
Some things are irreplaceable or too valuable to entrust with a moving company. These might include family heirlooms, jewelry pieces or even, important documents.
Pack these items in a container like a lockable box or a small fireproof safe. And keep this container with you throughout the move to guarantee their safe arrival at your new home.
When it comes to actually organising the documents, create a designated folder or binder for papers like passports, birth certificates, financial records and contracts. Consider making copies of these documents and securely storing them online for even more security. Backups can provide peace of mind if anything goes missing during the move.
9. Avoid Overpacking
We understand the desire to maximise space and minimise the number of boxes you have to lug from one place to the next. But overloading can lead to huge problems. Heavy boxes become difficult to lift, are more prone to breaking, and are generally a nightmare on move days. As a general guide, aim for a weight of around 30 pounds, per box. Your future self will thank you for taking care of your back.
10. Don’t Rush
Moving can be stressful, there’s no doubt about it. But rushing through the packing process can lead to avoidable mistakes and breakages. Take your time, stay organised and remember that good things take time. Because not even Rome was built in a day. A little bit of patience can make a big difference in ensuring a smoother transition to your new home.
On The Big Day
Getting Ready for Moving Day
With moving day right around the corner, it’s really important to create a checklist for the preparations. Double-check all the details with your moving company and pack your essentials box as soon as possible. And make sure you have all the necessary documents ready and to hand. Having a really well-thought-out plan will significantly reduce any last-minute stress you might be feeling.
Settling In
Congratulations on reaching your home! You’ve made it! Start by unpacking your essentials box so that you can freshen up, unwind, and look forward to revamping your new place. Then take it one room at a time. Start with high-priority areas like the kitchen and bedroom and work out from there. Remember to take breaks, order some takeout if needed, and don’t forget to explore your neighbourhood once you have the essentials sorted out.
Conclusion
Moving homes for the first time can be a rollercoaster ride. But with these packing secrets, you’re well on your way to a successful, budget friendly and less stressful move. Remember to start early, stay organised, and take things at your own pace. Before you know it, you’ll be settled into your new place, creating memories in this fresh chapter of life.
Hopefully, this simple go-to guide has provided some valuable insights to help simplify the packing process for you.
Have you recently moved for the first time? Maybe your big move is quickly approaching, and you need some advice. Keep the conversation going in the comments below, and help each other out.
