This Is How to Pack for a Move the Right Way

Are you moving house and a little overwhelmed with where to start with your packing? It can be a daunting task, but it is certainly worthwhile to find out the best way to organize and pack your belongings.

Professional organizer Regina Lark told the LA Times that the average American household has 300,000 items. For those with kids, this number perhaps doesn’t seem too crazy considering the sheer number of toys you accumulate!

Knowing how to pack for a move could massively cut down on the time you take to pack, as well as potentially save you money on removal costs, so if you want some great tips and advice on the best practices, keep reading.

Don’t Delay

Packing for a move takes a lot longer than most people expect or make time for. According to movers.com, the average person will take 3-5 days to pack for a move. While a removal company will be substantially quicker, you can save money by doing it yourself if you’re organized.

Consider packing items straight away that you don’t plan on using in the immediate future. Sentimental items that you can’t bring yourself to get rid of, seasonal items, and guest room furnishings could all be packed away in plenty of time.

Take the Chance to Declutter

How often in life do you get the chance to go through all of your things? It’s something that is probably on most people’s to-do list but gets put off again and again.

Moving home is the perfect opportunity to discard items that you don’t use or don’t want. The key here is, to be honest with yourself. If you’re the type to convince yourself you need to keep something, set yourself rules before you start.

For example, if you haven’t worn an item of clothing in the last year, it’s time to get rid of it. The good news is if it’s in good condition you can sell it or donate it. 

You’ll be amazed at how much clutter you can get rid of just by setting yourself these rules and sticking to them.

Clear a Packing Area

Whether you decide to have one designated area in your home or a section of each room when packing for a move, it’s important to set aside space to pack. Whatever you choose, make sure the area is stocked with packing equipment like tape, pens, and boxes.

Sort Items Into Categories

When considering how to pack when moving, you may think the easiest way to move your belongings is to rush around the house and throw everything into bags and boxes. This may be quick, but consider the challenge you’ll be faced with when you start unpacking at your new home.

Once you’ve decluttered, the next step is to organize items into categories. Start with one category and gather everything from the house that fits into this category. It may be easier to start with something like kitchen items as they are all located in the same place, as opposed to clothing which is likely spread throughout the whole house!

Label Everything

The last thing you want to do when you move into your new home is to go searching through boxes to find something. Visit your local supermarket and ask for boxes—most will have a wealth of cardboard boxes for you to take away.

Get yourself a large sharpie and label every box as you pack it. Don’t leave it until the end! 

Don’t Spend Too Long Reminiscing

Sorting through old photographs, clothes, and keepsakes can be a fun and nostalgic aspect of moving home. But it can also add hours to the packing and set you back a significant amount of time.

You’ll wish you could get that time back when you’re scurrying around the house the night before you move. So what’s the solution?

Do your reminiscing when you unpack. There’s no time pressure this way, and there’s also a chance for you to declutter further if you decide not to keep certain items.

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Take Inventory

It’s all well and good having labeled boxes to help you keep things organized, but you can take things a step further and actually write down the contents of each box. This could be an invaluable tool when it comes to unpacking, and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time.

If you’ve got children, why not give one of them the job of taking inventory? 

Keep Essential Items Separate

There will be a number of items that you will need as soon as you move into your new home. Bedsheets, toilet paper, towels, and soaps should all be packed into boxes together. 

When it comes to loading a removal van, pack your essentials last so that they are easy to access when you arrive. 

Vacuum Pack

If you’ve never used vacuum packs before, you’ll be amazed at how much space you can save! Extra-large packs can be big enough to pack duvets and large amounts of clothes. and once you have vacuumed the air out of them, you’ll be using up to 50% less space.

Have Plenty Newspaper On Hand

When it comes to packing breakables and fragile items, you’ll want to be certain that they won’t be broken in transit. Newspaper is a great way to make sure your belongings are protected. As well as wrapping, make sure to stuff things like cups and glasses with newspaper too for extra protection.

Now You Know How to Pack For a Move

Using the packing tips in this guide, you should be confident that you know how to pack for a move quickly and efficiently, and maybe even enjoy doing it! It really doesn’t have to be a stressful time, especially if you give yourself plenty of time.

Leaving some reminiscing for unpacking and taking inventory can save you loads of time, and can make moving to a new house a seamless transition.

If you enjoyed this article and would like some more information and advice on all things to do with moving house, check out our blog. If you’re looking to sell your house in Memphis, TN, contact us to find out how you might get an amazing deal selling for cash.