Last Updated on August 27, 2023 by Corynn
Planning a move? Here are 12 of the best packing tips for moving!
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Securing the place is easy, but packing? Can be a bit tricky. I have a whole list of packing tips that you can use for your move to make sure everything runs smoothly.
These packing tips are great for couples, families, moving into your first home or even your first apartment.
How Soon Before Moving Should I Start Packing?
I highly suggest you start packing a 30 or more days prior to your move in date. This gives you ample time to declutter and donate, and pack at your own pace.
Want to know the fastest you can pack your home? The shortest I have ever packed for a move was two weeks. It was super stressful but doable.
What Should You Not Pack Before Moving?
Now before you start packing you want to come up with a packing plan. A plan that will help you not pack belongings that you still need/using.
Here is a list of items you should not pack before moving;
- Electronics
- Kids Toys (Keep some toys)
- Clothing (Have atleast 5-7 outfits out and pack away seasonal items)
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Work items
What Is The First Room You Should Pack?
Wanting to know which room to pack first? Well it really depends on which room you hardly use and/or the rom that is the easiest to pack.
For example, the easiest room I can pack up first is our bedroom. Because, 1) we can sleep in the living room if we wanted, and 2) a lot of the items we have in our bedroom we can go more than one month without it.
The Best Packing Tips For Moving
Here are some packing hacks you can use for moving your home and/or apartment!
1. Use Colored Stickers For Each Room
One thing that was a life saver for me was using different colored labels. I assigned each room a color and our move was a BREEZE.
Each person who helped us moved, said that the color coding system really helped them with knowing where each box goes. In addition, when it was time to unpack I was not looking around our apartment for different boxes.
Click here to get the colored labels for moving.
2. Use Garbage Bags Over Clothes With Hangers
Instead taking all of your clothes off of each hanger. Use a garbage bag to help easily carry your clothing. Here is how you do it;
- Group 4-5 pieces of clothing from your closet
- Grab a rubberband and tie it over the hangers
- Cut a hole on the enclose part of the garbage bag
- Place the garbage bag over the clothing items (similar to a garment bag)
- Tie the bottom and voila!
This tip is super easy to carry your clothes straight to the new place you’re living at.
3. Use Old T-shirts as Bubble Wrap
Another way you can wrap your items in a sustainable way is to use towels and old t-shirts as bubble wrap. You can wrap your vases, glasses, or any fragile items you may have.
4. Create a First Night Box
Want to avoid opening your moving boxes on move in day? Create a first night box!
We used every single thing that was in our first night box! It was super efficient going inside just one box, rather than opening a dozen boxes to find the things we need.
You can fill your first night box with item you need for the day or perhaps the entire week.
You can grab my first night box checklist down below!
5. Vacuum Space Bags For Large Clothing Items and Stuff Animals
Vacuum space bags are great for maximizing your space for moving and even traveling. You can place large jackets, blankets, out of season clothes, and even your children’s stuffed animals.
This is great for eliminating the amount boxes that needed for your move. Ziploc has the best quality of vacuum seal bags for large items.
6. Declutter Each Room and Area
Want to move less of your items to the new place? Declutter!! I am a fan of decluttering your space prior to packing.
Need some help with decluttering? Here is a blog post all about decluttering your living space.
7. Be Careful Of The Weight Of Your Boxes
In order to prevent any boxes from squishing each other on the moving truck. Keep track of the weight of your moving boxes.
In addition, this can prevent you from creating a lawsuit with a moving company because your boxes are so heavy.
8. Purchase Fragile Stickers
Another thing I did was purchase ragile tickers and place them on any moving boxes that had fragile items inside.
Surprisingly, everybody who helped us moved really followed the fragile stickers. Because none of our items were broken after our move.
9. Save Old Amazon Boxes For Moving
Instead of purchasing tons of moving boxes that you’re only going to use. Save the amazon boxes! Amazon boxes all come in different sizes which are perfect for packing items around your home.
10. Use Suitcases To Your Advantage
Having suitcases and luggages stored away? Use them to help you move! I used my luggage to pack all of my clothing, toiletries, and just about everything.
11. Ziploc Bag Screws, Bolts and Instructions
After assembling our furniture and/or appliances I ALWAYS keep the instructions inside a large ziploc bag. Why? Because when we’re ready to move, I can always place the screws, bolts with the instructions.
So when we move into our new place, we’re not confused on how to build our furniture again and have all the pieces together.
12. Have Snacks and Water Available
Moving day is going to be one of the longest days for you and your family. Make sure to have snacks, and water with you at all times.
Just to avoid anybody passing out.
Overall…
Here is all the best packing tips for moving that person can use. Need some help further planning your move? Here is a blog post all about what you should do 30 days before move-in day. Goes into details week by week of all the task that you have to do.
