There’s no denying it — out of all those steps required for a move, packing stands out as one of the most stressful and time-consuming parts. In fact, 41 percent of surveyed Americans said it took them up to 40 hours to pack their homes, and 27 percent said it took them up to 80 hours.
But that doesn’t have to be the case for you. If you want to streamline this process and minimize the hassle, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 packing tips for moving, direct from our pros.
10 Pro Packing Tips for Moving
Whether you’re moving across town, across state lines, or across the country, these 10 packing tips will lead to a more efficient, less complicated move.
1. Start packing well in advance
The sooner you begin this task, the better off you’ll be. According to another survey, 45 percent of Americans wait to pack for a move until the last minute. Spare yourself the hassle of that mistake and pack all your non-essential items well in advance.
Holiday decorations, seasonal clothes, the contents of your attic or guest room closet, and other miscellaneous items can be boxed up at least 6 to 8 weeks before the moving date. This will ensure you also have enough time to pack the more difficult rooms, such as your kitchen.
2. Be strategic with box sizes
Packing for a move isn’t about cramming as many items as possible into a random assortment of boxes. You’ll need to collect a variety of box sizes and pack them strategically in order to optimize weight distribution, consolidate truck space, and protect fragile items in transit.
Small boxes are ideal for heavy items such as books, tools, coffee mugs, canned foods, glassware, or office supplies.
Medium boxes are ideal for cookware, dishes, small appliances, or home décor.
Large boxes are ideal for bedsheets, pillows, linens, towels, clothing, lamp shades, or curtains.
And don’t forget specialty boxes for uniquely shaped items.
3. Label each box clearly as soon as it’s packed
Once you finish packing a box, write all of its contents and destination room either the top or side. You can also use colored tape that corresponds to each room (e.g., blue for kitchen).
This will make it faster to sort those boxes as you’re unloading them off the truck. To streamline the labeling process even more, create a shorthand that will be easy to remember (e.g., LV for living room). Setting aside an extra minute or two on the frontend to mark each box will save a ton of time when you start to unpack.
4. Pack an essentials box
On average, it can take Americans 182 days to finish unpacking after a move (that’s six whole months!).
If you’re a procrastinator when it comes to this task, there’s an easy solution — pack a box with the basic essentials you’ll need access to immediately upon arrival in your new home.
This will eliminate the pressure of having to tear open several boxes just to find your toothbrush. Below are some items to include in this box of essentials:
Toiletries
Medications
A week’s worth of clothing
Important documents
Small electronics and chargers
Shower rod, liner, and curtain
Coffee pot, mugs, and shelf-stable creamer
Towels and linens
Toilet paper
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer or soap
Favorite kids’ toys
Pet food
5. Take photos of electronics before you unplug them
Snap a quick picture of how your TVs, computers, game consoles, or other electronics connect to outlets before you unplug them.
Next, bundle each cable and charger, store them in labeled plastic bags and tape those bags to the back of each corresponding electronic.
Use two layers of parchment or bubble wrap to cushion each device, then pack them in their original boxes or use specialty boxes that will accommodate their bulk and shape.
When labeling these boxes, write “fragile” in a visible spot, too.
This is one of the best packing tips for seamless reinstallation in your new home. (After all, you’ve got shows to stream!)
6. Use TV boxes to protect mirrors and frames
Flat screen TV boxes aren’t only for TVs. Their compact, tall, and narrow shape also makes them ideal for protecting mirrors, artwork, framed pictures, or other large wall décor.
Before placing one of these delicate items in the TV box, cushion it with parchment or bubble wrap, securing all four corners.
After you slide the mirror or picture in the box, fill any gaps with a blanket or towel to prevent it from jostling in transit.
You’ll want to label these boxes “fragile” as well. The more you label, the smoother your unloading and unpacking will go.
7. Disassemble bulky furniture and appliances
It might sound labor intensive and time-consuming, but disassembling furniture is one of the most useful packing tips for moving. Not only does it make hefty appliances and furniture pieces easier to transport, but it will also create more space in the truck and help minimize the risk of damage.
Take apart all furniture that can be disassembled (e.g., tables, beds, couches, chairs), then store the bolts, nuts, and screws in a labeled plastic bag and tape it to the furniture item.
Next, disconnect large appliances (e.g., laundry machines and refrigerators), including water lines, drain hoses, and other attachments. Or consider hiring an expert to do it for you.
8. Grab some wardrobe boxes for packing clothes
Using wardrobe boxes is a convenient way to pack any clothing items that need to stay on hangers.
Work in batches to remove a few pieces of clothing at a time from your closet and hang them on the metal rod in the wardrobe box until you’ve filled up all the space available, then grab another wardrobe box if necessary and continue with the remaining clothes.
You can use the bottom of these wardrobe boxes to pack shoes and other accessories — just wrap the shoes in parchment, so they won’t get dust on your clothes. Label each box with the room it belongs in, so you’ll know which closet to hang them in at your new place.
9. Invest in vacuum-sealed bags to maximize space
Even though items such as pillows, comforters, blankets, and winter coats don’t weigh much, their sheer bulk can occupy valuable space inside the truck. Fortunately, vacuum-sealed bags will help resolve this issue.
These bags come in multiple sizes, and you can order them online or find them at any home improvement store. The air-tight seal compresses the contents inside, so they can be transported without taking up extra room. Vacuum-sealed bags will also protect your items from dirt particles or moisture during the move.
10. Keep a thorough inventory of all items
The more organized you are while packing, the more stress you’ll avoid when the time comes to start unpacking at your final destination.
This makes it crucial to keep a meticulous inventory list of all the items you pack and which boxes they’re in. Create the inventory on your smartphone or in a notebook, starting with items in the easiest rooms to pack such as your attic, basement, guest room, home office, or laundry room. This list will also come in handy if items break in transit and you have to file an insurance claim.
Move with the Packing and Moving Pros
With these clever packing tips for moving, you’ll be able to streamline the process for a more efficient and less anxiety-inducing transition.
But no matter how much you plan ahead, it’s still a ton of work — that’s where the pros at Colonial Van Lines come in. We’ll harness our 50-plus years of experience and expertise as long-distance movers to safely pack, load, transport, and even unpack all your household items. Contact us for a free quote today to get started.