The best way to pack for a house move is to think early, to work systematically and to leave everything as tidy as possible from the beginning. Many people tend to overcomplicate the process, leaving things to the last minute or mixing up a variety of objects in one box. A few simple organisation tips will make your life much easier on moving day.
Declutter Before You Start Packing
The first thing to do is to declutter before you start packing. There is no point in wasting time and money removing things that you are simply going to throw away or give to charity. Everything that does not bring you any satisfaction should be sold, donated, recycled or disposed of. After this process, it will become much easier to decide what to do with your things and belongings when you get to your new house.
Pack Items You Use Less Often First
Now, when you have a general idea of what you are going to take with you to your new home, you should start packing the things that you use the least. Things such as books, spares, out-of-season clothes, decorations, good dinner plates, tools, souvenirs and rarely used objects can be placed in the boxes. However, you should leave the things that you need on a daily basis until the last few days before your move.
Pack One Room at a Time
Another essential tip on how not to pack for a house move is to work room by room or by section. Try to avoid mixing up different objects in one box. Instead, empty one room, then another and so on. In addition, you can also start with parts of the house, such as a spare bedroom, the garage or the linen cupboard. Everything can be packed in sections, which will give you a sense of achievement and make the whole process much easier.
Label Every Box Clearly
Moreover, it is essential to label everything properly. Each box or a moving crate should have indication of the room it is meant to go into and a brief description of the items inside. This way, your things will be placed correctly and you will not have to spend hours searching for the right object in the wrong box.
Use Strong Moving Boxes or Crates
Finally, it is worth investing in some high-quality storage containers or purchasing moving crates to avoid getting hurt by broken cardboard boxes. Sturdy containers can also be reused for other purposes in the future. Every box or moving crate should be clearly marked with the room it belongs to and a short description of what is inside. Moving crates are perfect for packed books, utensils, linen, toys, office supplies and many other things. They allow better organisation of your space without having to worry about the boxes breaking since they do not need any taping.
Protect Fragile Items During Packing
In addition, to prevent breakage, it is a good idea to wrap fragile things in newspaper or old towels. When packing plates, make sure to place them vertically, if possible. Packing glasses is also a tricky process, so you should pack them individually, wrapping each one separately. Do not overload your boxes or containers, since it could lead to damage to fragile items. Remember that it is easier to pack more boxes of light items, than a few heavy ones.
Prepare an Essentials Box
Furthermore, you should also remember to prepare a box with essentials for the first day and night at your new home. The box should be marked clearly so that you will be able to locate it right away. Essentials include personal hygiene products, medicines, electronic devices and their chargers, papers and important documents, cleaning agents, foods, drinks, a spare set of clothes and much more.
Conclusion
The best way to pack for a house move is to leave everything as tidy as possible. You should start packing early and label all boxes systematically. It is also vital to make sure that all items you put in a box are suitable for being in there and are not going to destroy or damage the other ones.
