Moving can be an exciting new chapter in your life, but let’s face it packing can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you’re relocating across the country or just a few blocks away, packing up your life into boxes can feel daunting.
However, with the right strategies in place, the process becomes much more manageable. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through how to pack for moving, providing you with a comprehensive packing checklist for moving to keep you organized and stress-free.
Start Early
The key to successful packing is to start early. Packing is a marathon, not a sprint. If you think you only need a few days to pack up your home, give yourself at least an extra week. Life tends to throw curveballs, especially during the moving process.
Start with non-essential items, such as out-of-season clothing, books, and decorations things you won’t miss until after the move. You’ll be glad you gave yourself more time when moving day comes around.
How to Start Packing to Move
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How do I even start packing to move?” The best approach is to work room by room.
Tackle the least-used spaces first, such as guest bedrooms, attics, or basements. Once you’ve cleared these, you’ll be in a good rhythm to handle the more essential rooms like the kitchen and bathroom.
Gather Your Supplies
Packing isn’t just about throwing things into boxes, it requires the right tools. Here’s a moving packing list to ensure you have everything you need to get started:
- Sturdy boxes in various sizes
- Packing tape to secure boxes
- Bubble wrap or packing paper for fragile items
- Markers or labels for easy identification
- Plastic wrap for furniture and larger items
- Scissors
- Moving blankets to protect large furniture
- Ziploc bags for screws and small parts from disassembled furniture
Having these essentials from the beginning will make your packing experience much smoother and more efficient.
Whether you’re learning how to pack to move or refining your packing strategies, the right supplies can make all the difference.
Declutter
Before you even start packing, take this opportunity to declutter. There’s no point in moving things you no longer use. Create three piles: Keep, Donate, and Discard. Items you haven’t used in over a year should likely be donated or discarded.
This process not only lightens your load but helps you feel more organized when you settle into your new home. Trust me, when you’re unpacking, you’ll thank yourself for not hauling unnecessary clutter.
Moving and Packing Pro Tip
As you declutter, consider taking photos of sentimental items before parting with them. This can help preserve the memories without holding onto things that take up space.
Pack by Room
One of the best strategies for moving and packing is to pack one room at a time. Keep items from each room together, and label each box with the corresponding room.
For example, kitchen items should stay in boxes labeled “kitchen,” and bedroom items should be labeled accordingly. This method will save you the hassle of sorting through a mountain of boxes when it’s time to unpack.
Moving Packing Checklist for Each Room
- Start with the least-used rooms and move towards more essential spaces.
- Label each box with the room and a brief description of the contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots and Pans”).
- Pack the kitchen and bathroom last, as you’ll need these rooms until moving day.
Label Everything
Labeling your boxes is critical. Use a detailed system, such as writing “Kitchen – Glassware” or “Bedroom – Winter Clothes.” This will save you time when you unpack, as you won’t have to open multiple boxes to find what you need.
Packing Checklist for Moving
- Use colored labels or markers to differentiate between rooms (e.g., green for the kitchen, and blue for the bedroom).
- Label boxes with “Fragile” when necessary.
- If certain items need to be unpacked first, add a “Priority” sticker or mark to those boxes.
Pack Smart
When learning how to pack for moving, the general rule is to pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
Books, for instance, can get extremely heavy when packed together, so distribute them across smaller boxes. Similarly, lighter items like pillows and linens can fill larger boxes.
Protect Your Fragile Items
Fragile items like glassware, dishes, and electronics require extra care. Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap or packing paper.
When packing plates, place them vertically in boxes like records to reduce the risk of breakage. Fill empty spaces in boxes with towels or packing peanuts to prevent items from shifting during the move.
How to Pack for Moving
- Wrap each fragile item separately.
- Use towels, clothing, or packing peanuts to fill empty spaces.
- Label boxes as “Fragile” for extra care during transit.
Create an Essentials Box
Once you’ve arrived at your new home, you won’t want to rummage through multiple boxes to find your toothbrush. Prepare an essentials box containing everything you’ll need for the first 24 to 48 hours:
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.)
- A change of clothes
- Important documents
- Chargers for electronics
- Medications
- Snacks or simple meals
Keep this box with you rather than with the movers to ensure it’s available as soon as you need it.
Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to packing for a move, it can be tempting to stuff as much as possible into each box. After all, fewer boxes seem like they would be easier to handle, right? Unfortunately, overstuffing boxes can lead to disastrous results.
Overloaded boxes are not only harder to lift but also prone to breaking, which can damage your belongings and slow down your moving process. Stick to a reasonable weight limit typically around 50 pounds per box.
Take Photos for Reference
When you’re disassembling furniture or unplugging electronics, things can quickly become confusing.
Which wire connects where? How exactly was that bookshelf put together? The easiest way to avoid future frustration is to take photos before you start taking things apart.
For electronics, capture images of the back panels where all the cables connect. This is particularly useful for complicated setups like TVs, computers, and sound systems.
You won’t have to rely on memory or dig through manuals when it’s time to set everything up again.
Handle Furniture with Care
Disassembling large furniture like beds, desks, or cabinets will make them easier to move. Place screws and small parts in labeled Ziploc bags and tape them to the furniture itself so you don’t lose them. Use plastic wrap or moving blankets to protect furniture from damage.
For large, heavy items like sofas, consider using furniture sliders to avoid scratching floors and to make moving easier. Many professional movers will have these on hand, but they’re worth the investment if you’re handling the move yourself.
Keep Important Documents with You
Moving day can be chaotic, and the last thing you want to deal with is losing track of important documents.
While most of your belongings can be safely packed away in boxes, crucial items like passports, birth certificates, medical records, and legal documents should always stay with you. Don’t pack them in a box that could end up at the bottom of a pile of moving boxes.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Moving is rarely a one-person job. Whether you’re moving to a small apartment or a large house, asking for help can make the process much easier.
Don’t hesitate to call on friends or family members to lend a hand with packing, lifting, or driving. Not only will the extra help speed things up, but having someone to share the work with makes the whole process less stressful.
Reach out to friends and family
- Contact your close ones ahead of time to see if they can help with packing, moving, or organizing.
- Assign specific tasks to each person (e.g., helping with heavy lifting, driving the moving truck, or packing fragile items).
Hire professional movers
- Research and book a reputable moving company in advance.
- If on a budget, consider hiring movers for large items like furniture or appliances only, and handle the smaller items yourself.
Take a Deep Breath – You Did It!
Once you’ve packed up and moved into your new home, take a deep breath. You’ve made it through the packing process!
Unpacking may take some time, but you’ve learned how to pack efficiently, and now you can settle into your new space with peace of mind.
The key to successful moving and packing is preparation and organization. With this moving packing checklist and the strategies provided, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the packing process like a pro.
Whether you’re moving across town or the country, following these tips will help you pack for your move smoothly and efficiently.