Getting ready to move? The key to a smooth moving process is organization. When you buy a new house, relocating from one living space to another presents both exciting opportunities and potential logistical challenges. To ensure a hassle-free transition, careful planning, and strategic packing are essential. Here are some expert tips on the best way to pack when moving from helping you protect your belongings, stay on top of tasks, and make your new house feel like a home from the moment you move in. By following these guidelines, you can streamline the packing process and minimize any stress that may arise during the moving process, allowing you to focus on your new life chapter!
Before you Start Packing, Declutter your House
You’ve just gotten an offer accepted on your new home, now it’s time to make a plan to pack up all of your items. For many, this can seem like a daunting task. So, before you even start to think about how you’ll pack everything, take a few days to declutter the house. In most cases, this is done prior to selling the home, when preparing to stage the interior, so you may already be one step ahead! Throw out or donate any items that you no longer have any use for, and develop a strategy to organize all the pieces you decide to keep. You can even host a yard sale to help rid your home of all these extra items and to also make some extra cash. Essentially, the fewer items you have to move, the easier moving day will be!
When Packing Up your Home, Choose the Right Materials!
Now that you’ve fully decluttered, it’s time to start getting all your packing supplies together. Depending on the number of rooms you have, make sure you have plenty of sturdy boxes that close. You should also have enough packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing tape, markers, box cutters or scissors, and packing paper. Gather enough old blankets for delicate items like hanging mirrors or framed pictures. If you are renting a truck it may come with a dolly. If not make sure you rent one in advance.
How Many Boxes Will You Need to Move Out of Your Home?
To determine how many boxes you will need, add up the number of rooms you’ll be packing up. If you have a large amount of stored items in the basement and garage, count as 2 more rooms. The living room and dining room will need at least 4 boxes each, bedrooms will require at least 5 boxes each. Bathrooms require at least 3 boxes. Packing supply centers have packing calculators to help you find the right amount of boxes to move your home. When in doubt, purchase more than you need rather than running out of them on moving day. Some packing supply centers will allow you to sell back unused boxes. You’ll want as many medium size boxes as possible. For most items, they are easier to pack and easier to carry than large boxes. Uniform-sized boxes also stack easier in the truck.
Determine the Packing Plan for Priority Boxes
Pack up a couple of Priority Boxes with items you will need as soon as you get to your new home: soap, paper towels, toilet paper, a can opener, a first aid kit, some food, and any items you don’t want to dig for. Pack a small box of tools (screwdriver, hammer, etc.) as well, and load this last since you’ll need these items as soon as you arrive. Label these boxes “Unpack First.”
How to Properly Pack Up the Items Themselves
Spread packing peanuts on the bottom of the box (unless you are packing books). Heavy items go on the bottom, and then medium-weight items followed by lighter items. Wrap each item carefully. Make sure to cushion each layer so items don’t rattle around in the box. Don’t leave empty space at the top of the boxes because they will be stacked on top of one another. If there’s space left, fill it with peanuts and tape it shut. Each box should not weigh more than 30 pounds. That way they will be easier to move, and they won’t fall apart if they are too heavy. Always make sure the box is completely taped shut.
Label the Boxes Before Arriving at your New House
Label boxes by which room it’s going to as well as what contents are in the box. For instance, “Dining Room: Dishes.” This will make the process of unloading much faster. Be sure to also label every side of the box so no matter which way it is stacked in the truck you will be able to read it.
It’s Moving Day! Time to Stack the Truck
Begin moving items by the order you want them packed in the truck. Your Priority Boxes will go last. You want to make the best use of every available inch of space in your truck. Below are helpful tips on how to pack up various items around your house so you’re ready to move out:
- Disassemble furniture such as entertainment centers, tables, bed frames, etc.
- Remove books from bookcases.
- If you’re moving large appliances, face them opposite each other: refrigerator across from the washer and dryer to keep the weight distributed evenly.
- Pack electronics and other fragile items on the shelf near the cab of the moving truck.
- Large furniture gets packed first, then smaller furnishings, and then heavy boxes (such as books or electronic equipment), and light items and clothing last.
- Stack items floor to ceiling.
- Use pillows, blankets, and other soft items to cushion furniture and fill in spaces between items.
- Stack odd-shaped items such as lamps in spaces or on top of boxes and furniture.
- Be sure to pad fragile items with blankets.
- Face bureaus towards the back of the truck so drawers don’t open in transit.
- Stack mattresses on their side to take up less space.
- Use the truck straps to secure furniture and large groups of items to the tie-downs on the inside walls of the truck.
The goal is to stack items in the truck as tightly as possible so items will be supported during bumps along the way. Once all the items have been packed and secured into the truck, make one last check to make sure there aren’t any stray boxes or items left in the house.
Your House is All Packed Up…Time to Move!
Moving to a new house can be both thrilling and stressful, and the key to making the packing process smooth is being organized. As you transition from one home to another, taking the time to carefully plan and effectively pack your items is essential. These tips we’ve highlighted can help you protect your belongings, stay on top of tasks, and settle into the new house with ease. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to pack efficiently and reduce the stress of moving, so you can concentrate on what matters most…your new home!