Purging before you pack can reduce the total volume you need to move by up to 30% on average, saving you money and hassle. Moving to a new home can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be incredibly stressful.
As someone who has moved more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to make packing and moving as smooth and stress-free as possible. Keep reading for your ultimate guide to effortless packing and moving services.
Start Early and Make a Plan
The most important thing when it comes to easy packing and moving is planning. As soon as you have a moving date, make a master to-do list and timeline for everything that needs to get done. Break down big tasks like packing room-by-room.
I recommend starting to pack at least 2 months in advance if possible. This gives you time to pack a little each day or week, rather than cramming it all in last minute.
Packing early can reduce your stress by over 50% according to moving experts.
Organize and Purge Your Belongings
Before packing anything up, take some time to go through all your belongings and decide what you need to bring with you. This is the perfect opportunity to declutter and get rid of things you no longer use or want.
- Go through every closet, drawer, and cabinet.
- Be ruthless and make three piles – keep, donate/sell, trash.
- Avoid accumulating more stuff in the time leading up to your move.
Purging before you pack can reduce the total volume you need to move by up to 30% on average, saving you money and hassle.
Invest in Quality Moving Supplies
Using the right moving supplies will make the packing and moving process infinitely smoother. Here are some of my must-haves:
- Sturdy boxes in a variety of sizes
- Packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap fragile items
- Packing tape & permanent markers to seal and label boxes
- Color-coded labels to mark which room each box should go in
- Furniture pads & straps to protect your furniture
Pro Tip: Many moving and packing services offer free boxes and supplies when you book them for your move!
Pack Methodically Room-by-Room
Packing up an entire home can feel overwhelming. Make it easy on yourself by packing room-by-room. Start by packing up items you rarely use like seasonal decor and extras from the garage or storage.
Work your way through each room packing more essential things like kitchen supplies, furniture, and daily use items last.
Make sure every box has a color-coded label with the room it should be unpacked in. This makes move-in day so much smoother!
Protect Your Fragile Belongings
When it comes to fragile items like mirrors, screens, and glassware, take special care while packing and moving.
- Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Fill extra space with paper to cushion items.
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Place soft items like towels and blankets around clothes.
- Load fragile boxes last with labels like “Fragile” and “This Side Up”.
- Transport delicate items yourself rather than having movers take them.
Taking a little extra time to carefully wrap and pack breakables can prevent thousands in damages!
Label Absolutely Everything
This cannot be emphasized enough – label everything! Each box should be sealed with tape and labeled with:
- The room or area it should go in
- A quick description of the contents
- Any special handling instructions like “Fragile”
Color coding your box labels by room is extremely helpful. It avoids mix-ups when unpacking and makes it fast for movers to know where to put boxes.
Pro Tip: Use color-coded dot stickers to mark boxes with electronics or priority items you want handy on move-in day.
Unpack Slowly & Reward Yourself
Don’t feel rushed to completely unpack and organize your new place on day one. Unpack the essentials first so you have what you need.
After the stressful process of packing and moving, reward yourself with a fun first night in your new home!
Unpack at your own pace over the first week or two. Unpacking everything slowly reduces burnout and allows you time to decide where you want things in your new space.
Enjoy Your Fresh Start!
There you have it – my best-kept secrets for stress-free, smooth moving and packing! Planning, purging belongings, using quality supplies, and taking your time is guaranteed to help your move go off without a hitch.
While moving is still time-consuming and hard work, hopefully, these tips will enable you to enjoy the fresh start of moving into your new home. And remember to reward yourself – you deserve it after accomplishing this huge life task!
