Packing Tips for Moving

Moving home can be a daunting task. There are so many things to do in what seems like such a short space of time, and the last thing you want to worry about is moving into your new home to a scramble of boxes thrown together last minute.

When it comes to packing, pre-planning is key, and will help reduce stress and save time.

Start with the non-essentials
Weeks before the big day you can start packing the rooms and items that you use the least. This will save time later for more important tasks. Books and decor can be packed away first - ensure you use smaller boxes, such as an archive box, to pack these items - there’s nothing worse than packing a full box only to move it later but being unable to even lift it off the ground. Books, folders and paperwork can get heavy very quickly, so the smaller boxes can really help not overdo it.

De-clutter!
Before you start getting serious about packing, it’s important to declutter. Moving can make you realise how much stuff you actually have, and sometimes we find that some items can be given away, sold or thrown out. Set aside some time ahead of moving to declutter your bedrooms, wardrobes and storage cupboards - this will be a huge time saver when it comes to the moving day.

Clothing
Once de-cluttered, you can pack away clothes and other non-essential items. If you’re moving in the summer, you can start packing all your winter clothes ahead of time - try rolling clothes up and packing them into a suitcase. Make sure you leave your essential items aside so you don’t have to go rummaging through your neatly packed boxes. You can set aside all essential items in a separate box or bag up until the day you move.

The dreaded kitchen
The kitchen is probably the most daunting and time consuming room to pack, and it’s important to take the utmost care when packing each item to ensure no breakages throughout the move. Much like packing books, use smaller boxes for the kitchen so you don’t over pack and make boxes too heavy to lift. Wrap your crockery in butcher paper - newspaper can leave ink marks on your plates - and make sure there are no gaps in your boxes, the last thing you want is heavy fragile items tipping around in the moving truck.

Remember to pack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top, don’t leave empty spaces, label all boxes, and avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box. Moving doesn’t always have to be the most stressful task. By being organised and on top of your packing you can expect a smoother sailing moving day.