Moving to a new home can be an exciting yet stressful time. With so much to do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the packing and planning. But having a solid packing strategy can make the whole process much smoother.
These 16 moving hacks will help you pack like a total pro so that you’re ready to start the next chapter of your life on the right foot. From creative ways to transport awkward items, to strategies for keeping valuables safe, this comprehensive guide has all the tips and tricks you need to make packing a breeze.
Create a Master To-Do List
The key to stress-free packing is organization. Start by making a master to-do list so you know what tasks need to get done and can check them off as you go. Include:
- Packing room by room
- Gathering supplies like boxes, tape, markers
- Contacting services for help moving day
- Changing address with post office, accounts
- Cancelling/transferring utilities
- Scheduling cleaners
Having the big picture mapped out ahead of time will prevent important steps from falling through the cracks. Set reminders leading up to move day so everything gets done on time.
Declutter Before Packing
Before packing anything, go through each room and be ruthless about decluttering. Get rid of items you no longer use or need – the less you have to pack, the better. Consider:
- Donating old clothes and household items
- Selling valuables like jewelry online
- Recycling papers and files you don’t need
- Returning borrowed items to their owners
Decluttering will not only lighten your physical load, but also provides mental clarity. Take the opportunity to purge belongings that no longer serve you and start fresh in your new home.
Use a Color-Coding System
Want to pack like a true pro? Use a color-coding system to label and organize boxes by room. For example:
- Red labels = Kitchen
- Blue = Bedrooms
- Green = Bathrooms
- Yellow = Living Room
- Orange = Office
Packing similar items together will make unloading so much smoother. It also helps movers know what rooms to put boxes in at your new place. Assign a color to each room and label boxes clearly.
Protect Fragile Items
When packing delicate items like glassware or electronics, wrap each piece separately with bubble wrap or packing paper to prevent cracks and chips during transport. Use foam, newspaper or towels to add cushioning inside boxes.
For mirrors and artwork, lean them against sturdy blankets or furniture pads in the moving truck to keep them secure and prevent damage. Finding all your fragile belongings still in one piece makes unpacking a lot more enjoyable.
Pack an Open First Box
One of the best moving hacks is to pack a box labeled “Open First Box.” Include essentials you’ll need right away like toilet paper, soap, towels, trash bags, box cutters, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pens and paper, cups, plates, utensils, pet food, chargers, snacks, coffee, tea, and bottled water.
Unpacking is exhausting. Having your basics handy in one box makes the first night and morning in your new home a lot easier. You can focus on what matters most rather than rummaging through boxes for daily necessities.
Color Code Cables and Cords
Untangling cords and cables takes valuable time and effort. Avoid a tangled mess by using twist ties, bread tags or colored tape to label cords for electronics and appliances. Attach matching labels to where the cords plug in so reconnecting them is quick and easy.
This color coding system helps you identify what cords belong to what device at a glance. It also ensures you don’t mistakenly pack cords you still need on moving day. Labeled, organized cords make setting up electronics in your new place frustration-free.
Invest in Quality Packing Materials
Don’t skimp on packing supplies. Using flimsy boxes and cheap tape can lead to damage and disasters. Invest in:
- Sturdy cardboard boxes with lids
- Bubble wrap and packing paper
- Quality tape that won’t tear as easily
- Permanent markers to label boxes clearly
Crumpled newspapers or thin grocery bags don’t protect your stuff enough. Take time to wrap fragile items well and seal boxes securely. Your belongings will arrive safely, and you’ll avoid needing to repack boxes that fell apart.
Pack One Room at a Time
Resist the urge to start packing randomly all over your home. Pack methodically one room at a time to stay organized. Start by completing:
- Garage and shed (seasonal items)
- Basement and attic (infrequent use)
- Office, craft room, spare rooms
- Kitchen and bathrooms
- Bedrooms
- Living spaces for last use items
Packing a whole room allows you to group similar items together, clearly label boxes by location, and check if you’ve missed anything before moving onto the next area.
Label Boxes Clearly
Identify the contents and destination room on all boxes and containers before sealing them. Don’t just write “miscellaneous” – be specific. This helps movers know where to place items and makes unpacking faster when boxes are already sorted by room.
Use large, visible lettering like a thick black sharpie so labels are clear. Include basics like “kitchen dishes” or “bedroom clothes” plus specifics like “bathroom towels” or “office supplies.”
Pack Lamps Separately
Pack lamp bases and lamp shades separately, nestling shades in packing paper inside a box and wrapping bases in newspaper or bubble wrap. Attaching shades and heavy bases together often leads to damage.
Disassembling lamps also conserves box space and allows you to wedge the bases around other items. Make sure to label boxes containing matching parts of the same lamp. Reassembling them is quick and easy.
Use Your Furniture Strategically
Instead of packing small loose items into boxes, tuck them inside drawers, shelves, cabinets, and appliances that movers will transport as is. This saves on boxes, packing time, and provides an extra layer of protection.
Just be sure to label furniture with arrows indicating there are contents inside to unload at your new home. Strategically using furniture for storage can cut down on what needs packed.
Pack a Moving Day Bag
Pack a dedicated bag with essentials you’ll need on moving day like medications, eyeglasses, toiletries, chargers, snacks, bottled water, a spare set of clothes, towels, box cutter, trash bags, and anything that can’t be loaded on the truck last minute. This ensures you have your moving day necessities handy.
Also include cleaning supplies, broom, and vacuum to help tidy up your empty home one last time before turning in the keys. Having a dedicated moving day bag prevents stressful moments when you can’t find daily essentials.
Protect Mattresses
Mattresses can be challenging to move and easily get dirty or damaged. Protect them by:
- Placing inside a mattress bag or plastic cover
- Transporting upright rather than flat
- Using moving straps to carry instead of dragging
You invest a lot in your mattress so take measures to move it safely. Carrying mattresses flat risks springs getting bent or popped. Standing them upright better preserves the integrity. Protective covering guards against stains, rips, and water damage from inclement weather on moving day.
Take Pictures of Appliance Settings
Moving can get appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators out of whack. Before disconnecting, take close-up photos of the control panels showing current settings. This provides a helpful reference for properly resetting them in your new home.
Pictures allow movers and handymen to see exactly how appliances were configured if anything gets accidentally changed during transportation. Photos save you time reprogramming everything to your exact preferences.
Fill Odd Spaces
Maximize boxes and space inside moving trucks by filling any unused nooks and crannies. Use towels, blankets, pillows, and clothing to wedge around fragile items and eliminate open pockets.
This prevents your belongings from shifting during transit. Take advantage of all available capacity using soft goods as protective filler material. Your items will arrive neat and intact.
Label Doors on Furniture
Disassembling furniture is sometimes unavoidable. Before taking pieces apart, use masking tape to label doors, drawers, and hardware so you know how to reassemble them properly.
Note which screws and pieces belong to what part of the furniture. This makes reassembly much smoother when pieces aren’t simply interchangeable. Properly labeled furniture makes arranging your new place frustration-free.
Pack an Essentials Suitcase
A worst case scenario is when the moving truck gets delayed and you show up to an empty new home. Avoid being totally unprepared by packing a suitcase with 2-3 day’s worth of essential clothing, medicines, toiletries, phone chargers, and other absolute necessities.
This ensures you have vital basics handy if any moving delays occur. Having an essentials suitcase ready prevents you from feeling totally displaced until the truck arrives with the rest of your belongings.
Create a Valuables Box
Transport precious items like jewelry, family photos, passports, souvenirs, and important documents separately in a sturdy box that stays with you. Never let sentimental or monetarily valuable contents out of your sight during a move.
Pack a designated valuables box yourself so you know exactly where irreplaceable items are at all times. This prevents belongings with emotional or financial value from getting misplaced. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your most prized possessions are safe.
Back Up Your Data
Before electronics get packed up, take time to back up important data. Transfer computer files, photos, videos, and phone contacts to external hard drives and cloud servers so nothing gets lost during the move.
Also make physical copies of any digitally stored documents and contacts you would need access to immediately if devices got damaged or misplaced. Don’t leave yourself stranded without critical info. Securely backing up data ahead prevents headaches.
Pack a First Night Box
Moving into an empty new house can be disorienting, especially if you’re exhausted after a long day. Make it more welcoming by packing a “first night” box with items you’ll need to feel at home right away:
- Sheets and blankets
- Towels
- Pajamas
- Air mattress
- Toilet paper
- Snacks
- Utensils
- Travel mugs
Unpacking an entire kitchen or bathroom late at night can seem daunting. Having essentials for your first night in one handy box makes getting settled in a breeze.
Create an Unpacking To-Do List
Of course great packing means nothing without a solid unpacking plan. Before loading the truck, create a detailed prioritized list so you know what order to unpack in, starting with:
- Kitchen (appliances, dishes, food)
- Bathrooms (towels, toiletries, shower curtains)
- Bedrooms (beds, dressers, clothes)
- Living and dining rooms
- Office, garage, basement storage
Mapping out what to unpack first prevents feeling overwhelmed. You’ll settle in faster and regain a sense of normalcy in your new home.
Conclusion
Moving can be chaotic, but doesn’t have to be with the right strategies. These packing hacks allow you to organize belongings, conserve space, protect valuables, and set up your new home efficiently.
Implementing just a few of these moving tips can transform you from packing amateur to pro. So grab some boxes and labels and start packing like an expert! Utilizing these hacks will have you moved in and settled with minimal stress.
Here’s to new beginnings in your new home. Happy unpacking!