Tips to Making Packing Easier for Your Move

So you're moving. You're likely giddy with excitement and can't wait to start a new chapter. You've signed the papers, the closing date is approaching, and you're ready to start packing for your big move.

Almost everyone moves at some point in their lives, whether for work, education, lifestyle, or simply to experience life in a different part of the country, or even the world.

Regardless of where you're moving to or from, the task of packing can be a real challenge, especially if you have a lot of furniture, equipment, and personal belongings that must be safely transported from one location to another.

Are you prepared to start packing? While the amount of work involved may seem overwhelming, the task will seem a lot less daunting if you take the proper steps. We promise.

Here are a few packing tips to keep in mind to ensure a smooth transition:

Begin Packing Early

One of the most stressful experiences is organizing a house move. It doesn’t have to be, though.

Since packing for a move usually takes much longer than expected, we recommend that you start early to reduce stress and make your move as hassle-free and seamless as possible.

The amount of time it will take to pack all of your belongings for a move will depend on the size of your current home and the amount of stuff you have. Remember that packing can take an unexpectedly long amount of time, especially if you have a large or cluttered house with many possessions, adding more time and planning to the packing process.

Allowing two months for packing is reasonable for a family home, while a month may suffice for a smaller flat or house. But one thing is sure; moving is stressful enough without having to leave everything until the last minute.

Make a Master Inventory List Before Packing

Make a detailed inventory list of everything you own before starting the packing process. You can also include the prices of more valuable items, as well as photographs of them.

This will make it much easier to keep track of your belongings while packing, and if something is damaged or broken during the moving process, you will have detailed information and a photograph of the item before the move.

Collect the Suitable Packing Materials

When moving, you'll require a variety of packing supplies, such as these listed below:

• Cardboard boxes of varying sizes
• Duct tape to seal boxes
• Sticker labels, as well as marker pens
• Scissors or box cutters
• Colored markers or stickers for categorizing boxes according to their location
• A sack truck can be used for moving large boxes or appliances around the house
• Ropes or bungee cords can be used to tie things together

Always buy more moving supplies than you anticipate needing. If you think you'll only need six or seven boxes, purchase eight or nine instead of six or seven. Ask your friends or the post office to see if they have any packages lying around that you could use.

Also, when packing everything into boxes, you should ensure that everything you pack is securely fastened or placed in such a way that nothing fragile is left unattended or has the potential to fall and break while you are traveling.

Declutter and Get Rid of Anything You Don't Need

Don't wait until the day before moving to decide what to pack and what to get rid of. Instead, plan to begin decluttering your home at least two weeks before moving. Set aside time each day to work on a different room or closet in your house.

If you work through decluttering your home one step at a time, you won't be tempted to throw everything in boxes and call it a day. Instead, you can go through all of your possessions and make a conscious decision about what to keep and what to throw away. If your items are in usable condition, it is an even better idea to donate them to a local charity.

Try to Pack One Room at a Time

After you've learned some helpful packing techniques for a move, you'll be confronted with the problem of actually carrying out the tasks.

A room-by-room approach is best since each area will confront you with its own set of challenges and obstacles. Begin with the rooms and items you use the least. For example, if you have a loft, you may start with the rooms on the top level and progressively work your way down to the lower floors.

Begin with the Items You Rarely Use

You have your packing materials, you’ve decluttered the house, and you’re ready to start putting your belongings into boxes.

We recommend that you start by boxing up items that you know you want to keep but may not use on a regular basis, such as books and CDs. Then, you'll have one less thing to worry about once you've finished going through each room and packing these items first, whether they're books or memorabilia. It’s a great place to start, and we guarantee you'll feel a lot better when you're finished.

Make Certain that Each Box or Container Is Labeled

When packing for a move, you may find yourself stuffing whatever you see into the first available box. So naturally, you might believe that doing so will speed up the packing process. Instead, you should begin by labeling each box or container; this will save you time and effort when it comes time to unpack.

Also, if you use an easy-to-understand coding system to define what's inside each box and where it should go, you'll save a lot of time and work later on when trying to find a particular item. In addition, neatly labeled boxes will be unloaded and stored in their proper locations in your new house.

Make an Essentials Box for Your Move

Finally, you will most likely be too tired to unpack everything right after the move, so keep your essentials in a single bag or box for easy access. Then, after moving day is over and you're exhausted, you won't have to unpack and search for the items you need before going to bed one by one.

The essentials box will be especially handy on your first day or night in your new home, and you can keep it with you during the move for quick access to essentials. Phone chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and kitchen utensils are just a few examples of items to pack.

We hope these packing tips are helpful and will help make your move less stressful. Happy packing!