Moving is really a tough job for all. No matter how many times you’ve already moved, it is still a task that isn’t that much fun to do and you can even hurt yourself in the process if you are not careful. However, if you focus on the good reasons why you should move and have a better outlook, you’d surely be able to do it.
One of the most daunting things about the moving process is packing. This is especially true if you have a lot of stuff that you’d want to take with you. It’s understandable if you just can’t let go of many of your things. Additionally, it could be more convenient and less costly if you move your items rather than buy new ones.
Nevertheless, if you are moving, here are a few things to remember while you are packing. These tips will help you pack your things better so you can move them with less stress.
Create A Packing Supply List
When you move, there are different ways how you pack the things in your home. Some are good enough to be placed in boxes while others might require extra packaging to care for them and make sure that they don’t get scratched or damaged during the move.
There are a lot of materials that you will need when packing. These items will make sure that your things are well-protected while in transit. To save time and energy, it would be best to create a packing supply list ahead of time. This way, you can just easily grab the items that you need when it’s time to pack.
Some of the things that you’ll need for packing include:
- Cardboard boxes – different sizes for different items
- Packing paper or bubble wrap – for protecting fragile items
- Markers or labels – for identifying the contents of each box
- Tape – for sealing the boxes
- Scissors – for cutting tape and packing paper
Get Free Boxes
You can get free cardboard boxes from different places. You don’t need to buy new ones if you don’t want to spend extra money on them. Just look for establishments in your area that might have some free boxes that they can give away.
Some of the best places where you can get free cardboard boxes are:
- Grocery stores – they usually have a lot of empty boxes that they can give away
- Banks – they sometimes have spare boxes that you can use for packing
- Offices – especially if there are ongoing renovations, you might be able to get some empty boxes from offices
- Neighbors or friends – they might have some spare boxes lying around that you can use
- Online – there are also a lot of websites where you can get free cardboard boxes
Pack Early
One of the best ways to avoid stress while packing is to start early. This way, you won’t have to rush and you can take your time packing everything. Make sure to set aside some time each day to pack a few things.
If you leave everything until the last minute, chances are, you will end up with a lot of mess and it would be more difficult to find what you need. So, start packing as early as possible and make sure to pack a little bit each day.
Focus On One Room At A Time
When packing, it would be best to focus on one room at a time. This way, you can easily keep track of the things that you need to pack and you won’t get overwhelmed with the task.
Start with the room that has the least amount of things. Then, move on to the other rooms gradually. Make sure to label each box so you will know which room it belongs in.
Start Packing The Things That You Use Less Frequently
One of the best ways to start packing is to focus on the things that you use less frequently. These are usually the items that are stored in the attic or in the basement.
Start with these items first so you can have more space in your home as you pack. Additionally, these items are usually not as important as the ones that you use on a daily basis.
Use Packing Paper Or Bubble Wrap For Fragile Items
When packing fragile items, make sure to use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect them. This way, they won’t get damaged during the move.
Wrap each item securely with packing paper or bubble wrap. Then, place them in a box and make sure to label it as “fragile.” This will let the movers know that they need to be extra careful with the box.
Use Smaller Boxes For Heavy Items
When packing heavy items, it would be best to use smaller boxes. This way, they won’t be too heavy to lift and they won’t take up too much space.
Some of the heavy items that you might need to pack include:
- Books
- Tools
- Dishes
- Canned goods
Use Large Boxes For Lightweight Items
For lightweight items, it would be best to use large boxes. This way, you can fit more things in each box and you won’t have to lift too many heavy boxes.
Some of the lightweight items that you can pack in large boxes include:
- Clothes
- Linens
- Towels
- Pillows
Pack Your Suitcases
If you have extra suitcases, you can use them to pack your things. This is a great way to save on space and you won’t need to buy additional boxes.
Just make sure to not pack too many heavy items in each suitcase so it won’t be too difficult to lift. Additionally, you can also use garbage bags to pack your things. Just make sure that they are strong enough to hold all of your things.
Label Each Box
Once you have packed each box, make sure to label them. This will let you know what is inside each box and it will be easier to find things when you need them.
Just use a marker to label each box and make sure to include the following information:
- The contents of the box
- The room it belongs in
- The date was packed
This way, you can easily keep track of your things and you won’t have to open every single box just to find what you need.
Take A Picture Of Each Box
Another great way to keep track of your things is to take a picture of each box. This way, you will know exactly what is inside each one and you can easily find what you need.
Just make sure to label each picture so you don’t get confused. You can also use this as a reference when you are unpacking your new home.
Use Clothes To Fill Gaps
If you have any gaps in your boxes, you can use clothes to fill them. This way, your things will be more secure and they won’t move around too much.
Just make sure to not overstuff the boxes so they won’t be too heavy to lift.
Pack An Essentials Box
Lastly, don’t forget to pack an essentials box. This should include all of the things that you will need as soon as you move into your new home.
Some of the things that you might want to include are:
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Clothes
- Food
- Utensils
This way, you won’t have to search through all of your boxes just to find what you need.
