Getting advice on moving is simple enough, but the best advice comes from those that have experienced the moving process first hand and have learned the best tips and tricks through their experiences. This ultimate packing guide is designed to give you a quick go-to resource that will allow you to benefit from the wisdom of those who have been there before and have lived to tell the tale.
Packing Tips #1: Start as Early as Possible
When you find out that you will be moving, it may be a good time to begin planning for it – even if it is months in advance. Packing often takes much longer than anticipated, so getting a jump start on planning and packing always serves people well. At the end, you can avoid a frantic, stressful event by being prepared. With proper planning and organization, you can structure your move so that it is stress-free and even enjoyable!
Packing Tips #2: Decide what You Really Need and Discard the Rest
Before packing up all of your belongings, it is often helpful to sort through everything to decide what you need to keep and what you can bear to part with before the move. If you haven’t used a particular item in more than 6 months or a year, it may be time to throw it out, sell it, or give it to charity. You may also want to go through your items more than once so that you can lighten your load and remove any items that you no longer need. Keep your packing guide handy, though.
Packing Tips #3: Move through Each Room One by One
It is easy to get distracted and want to move from room to room while packing, but it is much more efficient to pack each room up one at a time. This allows you to stay organized, create appropriate labels, and keep items separated based on where they belong. By packing your belongings one room at a time (start with the least used room first), you can save yourself some time in the long run and simplify your move.
Packing Tips #4: Label Everything and Keep a Packing Guide and Checklist on Hand
You can’t over-label your boxes, but you certainly can under-label them. Make sure that each box is labeled correctly with a list of all items that are included in each box. Also, make sure that each box is color coded by room or that you also mark on the box which room each box should be taken to after the move. Make sure to be as specific as possible, and use the miscellaneous label sparingly to prevent confusion after the move.
Packing Tips #5: Use Larger Boxes to Hold Smaller Boxes or Don’t Use Boxes at All
Smaller boxes are more likely than larger boxes to get lost or damaged, so pack your small items in a small box and then load it into a larger box to prevent damage or loss. In some cases, it may be more efficient to use plastic storage bins, particularly if the items will end up being stored in the garage, attic, closets, or any other place where it will not need to be immediately unpacked.