Whether you’re moving on your own or hiring movers to do it for you, there are ways to make the process more efficient. Take a look at our top tips from Daniel’s Moving & Storage for packing like a pro and enjoy a seamless and stress-free transition into your new home.
Be Realistic About Your Time
Packing, as a rule, typically takes twice as long as you think it will. Even the smallest households with the most minimalist lifestyles can be surprised at how much stuff they actually have—and how long it takes to pack it all up.
Some people are unaware of the services that full-service residential movers like Daniel’s Moving & Storage actually provide. Professional movers and packers offer complete packing and unpacking, set-up and re-assembly of furniture, and much more. These options can make your move a lot easier, especially if you don’t have the time to spend on properly packing up your home.
Set Up a Packing Schedule
Make a moving calendar and fill it with dates you need to know, starting with your moving date. Break up the packing project according to room, and assign a different day or days for each part of the house. If you’re having a moving crew come in and handle this for you, your moving consultant will help you set up a schedule.
If you’re doing it yourself, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to take care of each room in the house. Start with the areas of the house that contain the items that you use the least, like storage rooms or the garage. Then work your way towards the family room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. Stick to the schedule and don’t let a day go by without getting things done. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy a much calmer packing process and a streamlined, easy relocation.
Don’t Spend a Fortune on Your Packing Materials
It’s surprisingly easy to spend a lot of money on packing supplies if you’re not careful. The key is to start gathering these things early and not scrambling to find them at the last minute. You’ll need a lot of boxes, to start—which you can either pay for, or find free or at a very low cost if you ask for them at local businesses in the weeks before you start packing. You can also order these online in bulk at a lower cost than buying them at a moving supply store.
You’ll also need brown packing tape, duct tape or masking tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and newspaper in large quantities. You can find many of these items with local moving companies or online in bulk, so make sure to order them early on so that they’re ready when you need them. Also check the dollar stores in your area, and buy newspapers by the dozen in the days leading up to your first packing session.
Don’t Overfill Your Boxes
A rookie mistake that a lot of people make when packing is to fill large boxes to the brim with heavy items. Use the largest boxes for lightweight things, like stuffed animals and pillows, and the smallest ones for heavier items like books, dishware, and glassware. This will make these boxes much easier to pick up, load, and unload.
Packing Your Clothing
You can use suitcases and garbage bags to pack clothing, along with boxes. A great trick for fitting a lot of clothing into a suitcase, bag, or box is to roll each item into a small little bundle instead of folding them. You can also use the garbage bags to pack away clothing without taking them off the hangers. Just make a hole at the bottom of the bag, fit the hangers through, and use it as a garment bag for various pieces of clothing.
Comments