6 Tips to Effectively Pack Up Your Home

August 15, 2019

Moving into a new home can be an exhilarating experience as it means the start of new beginnings. Before you can officially leave your past behind though, you need to pack up all your belongings. However, for those who have little to no experience with moving, it can be hard to know where to start.

To keep your stress at bay, we have compiled a list of tips to make packing and moving easier. Whether you’re relocating a couple states away or just one town over, these recommendations will help guide your process.

Declutter. Before starting the actual packing process, we recommend getting rid of items that you no longer use. Set up two different boxes for donations and for trash and sort through all your possessions accordingly. Disposing of your past mess will not only make packing up easier, but it’ll ensure you won’t lug around unnecessary items.

Don’t Procrastinate. Figure out the date that you will be moving and start packing a couple weeks in advance – or earlier. Getting started is always the most difficult aspect as you figure out what to pack up first. A rule of thumb is to begin with items that are unnecessary to daily life, such as artwork, books, knick-knacks or seasonal clothing.

Measure Everything. From your current furniture to the rooms in your new home. Knowing the exact measurements will ensure that your furniture is suitable and will be able to fit through the doorway. For items that are too big or too small, now would be the time to donate or throw away.

Create a master to-do list. Keep track of all the things you need to complete by putting together a comprehensive timeline and list. These can include changing your address for bills, setting up Wi-Fi at your new home or picking a date for dropping donations off.

Get Packing Supplies. This may seem intuitive, but it’s a good idea to stock up on supplies on your next trip to the hardware store. Supplies to have ample stock of include: packing tape, cardboard boxes, packing paper and bubble wrap. Don’t forget extra towels and linens can be used as soft packing materials.

Label Boxes. Be sure to label boxes along the tops and sides and classify them according to category, room and, if necessary, floor. For example, one box could be “books, study” while another could be “books, master bedroom.” It’s also a good idea to number your boxes so you know exactly how many to keep track of and easily see if one goes missing.