Moving is one of the most stressful things in life. Packing is a crucial part of the moving process. It takes more time, effort, and skill than most people anticipate. It requires a lot of organization, patience, and discipline. But it doesn’t have to be a difficult or stressful task if you approach it with the right mindset and plan accordingly. With just a little planning and some common sense, you can make your move much less stressful. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Make a Plan
First, determine what you need to take with you. This might include personal items, important papers, and everything in your home or apartment. Make a list of each room in the house and note the major items in each room. If you have time before your move, go through everything and decide what needs to come with you and what can be given away or thrown away.
Begin by packing seasonal items not needed right now, such as holiday decorations or cold-weather clothing. Pack out-of-season items, such as summer clothing or winter coats if you are moving during the summer months. If you have small children, pack their toys except for a couple of favorites to play with until moving day.
Not everyone is good at packing, but that’s okay. There are some best ways to start packing for a move if you want to keep things as organized as possible.
Get organized
Moving from one home to another can be hectic. You have to get your things packed, find a good moving company, and cope with the stress of moving your family. Tackling it all at once can be overwhelming, but getting organized before you contact a moving company will make the process smoother for you.
Gather everything you need to start packing for a move
The best ways to start packing for a move are gathering everything you need and organizing your items. Gather everything you need to start packing for a move. The type of box you choose is important to get the most out of your boxes. Start by getting those together, and then look at what else you will need to get started.
Categorize your items
The first step to packing for a move is to gather your supplies. You’ll need boxes, tape, markers, and other materials to get started.
Before you buy new supplies, ask around first. Friends, family members, and co-workers might be able to help you out with some items.
Here are some things you may want to ask for:
Boxes:
Ask friends and family members who have already moved into their new place if they have any extra moving boxes or storage bins they no longer need. If they don’t have any extras, see if they can save some for you when they unpack the last of their boxes. You can also check with local retailers and liquor stores — many will be more than willing to give away their used cardboard boxes.
Packing paper:
Newspapers make great packing paper, but the ink can rub off your belongings as you pack them up. Consider using plain printer paper instead. You can also use clothes or towels as packing paper in a pinch!
Bubble wrap:
This stuff is great for protecting fragile items when you pack them up. See if anyone has leftover bubble wrap from a recent purchase that they don’t need any more or check online community sites.
Choose moving boxes that are appropriate for the items you want to move
When you start packing for a move, the first thing to do is choose moving boxes appropriate for the items you want to move. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Don’t use trash bags for your clothes – Trash bags aren’t made to support heavyweight, and they’re not ideal for moving either. If the bottom of a bag rips open, the contents will spill all over the floor. If you use trash bags, you’ll spend even more time on cleanup. You can use large garbage bags for lightweight items, but use them with caution.
2. Don’t overstuff your boxes – Make sure each box is not too heavy or too light before taping it shut. Bulging boxes are difficult to stack on top of each other, and they can also break open during transport. On the other hand, light boxes can easily be crushed if there’s weight on top of them.
3. Choose the right size box – Use large boxes for lighter items and smaller boxes for heavier items. For example, books are best packed in small boxes because they tend to be very heavy; pillows and blankets should be packed in large boxes because they don’t weigh much.
Make a list of the rooms you want to begin with
Make a list of the rooms you want to begin with, and be sure to label all boxes with the room they’re destined for. This will help you keep organized. Create a ‘last day’ box – fill it with things you may need on your last couple of days in your old home, such as toiletries, essential kitchen utensils, and items for making tea and coffee. This will save you from having to rummage through all of your packed boxes at the last minute!
Donate things that you no longer want
Consider donating items you no longer need or use before you start packing to reduce clutter and make your move smoother. Go through each room of your house and toss out anything that is broken or no longer works properly—you don’t want to pack up useless junk! As you go through each room, decide whether to donate, throw away or keep each item.
Label your boxes using markers and packing tape
Label your boxes using markers and packing tape. Make sure you have a list of what is inside each box (or use the color coding system), so you can ensure everything has arrived at your new home safely. Create a numbering system to help you organize the boxes by room, then create a master list of the contents of each box. This will save you time to unpack and put everything away when it comes time.
Break down larger items into smaller, more manageable pieces
Break down larger items into smaller pieces before packing them up. For example, take apart bed frames and tables or remove mirror backs from dressers. The smaller the pieces in each box, the easier they will carry.
Avoid packing hazardous materials.
Remember that flammable liquids or gases like paint thinner or propane gas should never be packed when moving.
To wrap up
Moving is an enormous undertaking, so don’t wait until the last minute. The earlier you start packing, the less overwhelming it will be. If you have several months before moving day, try packing up a few items each week so that you don’t get overwhelmed right away. If packing seems a daunting task, you can hire a professional moving company to help you with packing and moving.