Though many people find great excitement in moving into a new residence, let’s face it: packing is hardly anyone’s favourite task.
Every item in your house suddenly seems important and impossible to squeeze into boxes. The truth is, with the right methods and guidance, packing doesn’t have to be draining.
Whether you’re heading across town or overseas, there are techniques to make packing quick, easy, and even a little fun.
Let’s review some classic packing and relocation tips to help you unwind on moving day.
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Choosing what not to pack comes first and on top of your priorities.
Look closely at everything you own before you start loading the car. Do you really need those jeans you haven’t worn or the blender you bought during a brief health campaign?
Moving is the ideal way to get rid of things you no longer find use for.
You can have a garage sale, donate to a cause, or provide goods to friends and relatives. Although decluttering seems tiresome, trust us, it’ll save you tons of time later on.
Starting anew in your new house without the clutter of extraneous items is quite different.
2. Stock Up on the Right Supplies
One cannot pack without the basic items. Realising that midway through you have run out of tape is the last thing you want. Stocking packing supplies is vital to a successful relocation.
Before you begin packing, make sure that you have all the items you need. Here is a checklist of the basic necessities:
- Different-sized boxes. Small ones are for heavier objects like books, and larger ones are for lighter, bulkier objects like pillows and blankets.
- Making packing tape. You need robust, dependable tape to maintain the security of everything.
- Bubble wrap. It will come in handy with your fragile goods.
- Markers. To be able to label everything.
- Stretch wrap. Perfect for locking drawers from slipping open and securing furniture.
Though it’s easy to toss everything into the biggest box, overpacking boxes will result in hefty and difficult-to-move boxes that can shatter easily. This can damage your belongings.
Sort your packing such that smaller boxes include heavy objects and larger boxes contain lighter ones.
3. Create a Packing Schedule
Starting to pack at the last minute is one of the most common mistakes people make.
Make a packing calendar spanning the weeks before your move instead of stuffing everything into one frantic weekend.
Start with the rooms that you use the least, like the guest bedroom or attic, and tackle one room at a time, working your way through the house.
Dividing the work into smaller, more manageable portions helps you avoid tossing items carelessly into boxes at the last minute and lessens its daunting effect. It also lets you pack more deliberately, therefore lowering the possibility of harm during the relocation.
4. Pack an Essentials Box
Arriving at your new house, worn out from a day of moving, only to discover you have no idea where your charger or wallet is is the worst of circumstances. Pack an “essentials” box including the things you’ll need on your first night to save that late-night rush through boxes.
Consider it as packing for a small trip: a toothbrush, toilet paper, a change of clothing, chargers, and perhaps some snacks.
When you can quickly get these must-have objects without searching every box, you will thank yourself.
5. Label Like a Pro
Although marking your boxes sounds like basic advice, there is a difference between writing “kitchen” on a box and labelling like a real moving professional.
Instead of only labelling the box to the room it belongs to, jot down a basic inventory of what is inside the box itself.
If you’re really neat, you can even colour-code boxes per room with various coloured tape or stickers.
This small tip makes unpacking a great deal simpler and facilitates the work of your removals company.
6. Protect Fragile Items
During the relocation, delicate objects like glassware, plates, and electronics demand some additional care. To create padding, first line boxes with bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper. Wrap every object on its own to stop them from clinking together and shattering.
For dishes, arrange them vertically rather than piling them atop one another, like records. This lessens their likelihood of cracking and releases some of their stress.
Remember to cover any voids in the box with soft items such as towels or even old T-shirts. This not only guards delicate objects but also facilitates more effective packing by saving room.
7. Keep Clothes on Their Hangers
Skipping the folding, packing, and then hanging all your things again is one of the largest time savers.
Rather, keep them on their hangers and cover them with big garbage bags or specially made wardrobe boxes.
When unpacking, these can be a lifesaver since everything can be hung straight at your new house. Just consider all the time you will save especially when not having to smooth out wrinkles subsequently!
8. Don’t Forget to Label the Cables
Unpacking the TV or PC and finding a disorganised mass of cables, all looking remarkably similar.
Take a quick picture of the wire connections before turning off everything. Then, mark every cable with masking tape so that, upon setting it up in your new house, you know exactly what it belongs to.
This easy action will help you avoid much later frustration.
9. Pack Heavy Items at the Bottom
Start packing boxes with the heaviest objects at the bottom. This covers how to pack shoes, boots, kitchen appliances, and books as well.
This not only prevents the smaller objects from breaking but also helps the box balance the weight of the box.
For extra protection, sandwich a layer of soft material like towels or clothes between your mixed package of heavy and light things.
10. Use Plastic Wrap for Liquids
It’s always unnerving when you open a box to discover a bottle of shampoo, or cleaner has leaked all over the contents of the box.
Securing your packed liquid items will help you to prevent this. To transport any liquid safely, first unscrew the bottle lids, cover the openings with plastic wrap, then screw the lid back on.
This will add another level of protection and lower the possibility of spilling during the relocation.
Conclusion
Moving does not have to be the horror many portray. These innovative packing techniques can help you to arrive at a successful and flawless transfer.
Take a deep breath, then grab some boxes and let the packing start. You’ll be happy you followed these ideas once you’re comfortable in your new house.
Any new adventure starts with its share of turmoil, after all, but with some careful planning, you can make sure your moving day is as stress-free as possible.
