Getting ready to move into a new home can bring feelings of excitement and happiness; but packing can be stressful. Figuring out where to begin, knowing what to pack and which room to start with can be overwhelming. Starting with a week-by-week packing checklist can make this process less stressful and helps answer the question of how to pack for a move.
Before packing, make sure you have the correct moving supplies
Before you begin packing, consider making a packing checklist to stay organized. As you prepare for the big day, the following items can quickly become packing essentials for a move.
- Boxes.These are the biggest priority when it comes to packing. Having a variety of sizes for items in your home can make organizing easier.
- Tape. Having a strong adhesive to seal boxes, secure bubble wrap around fragile items and ensure your home goods are put away safely.
- Utility knife/scissors. Utility knives can cut a variety of things. The ability to make a clean cut to tape and other materials can lessen any frustration when assembling things.
- Permanent marker. Labeling boxes is important. You don’t want to lose track of what was packed in which box. Use permanent markers to label boxes so you can sort them by room and easily prioritize unpacking.
- Plastic bags. These can be handy with smaller items such as silverware, and helpful with storing non-perishable food items.
- Blankets. Blankets can be used for additional padding of mirrors and other breakable items.
- Bubble wrap and/or newspaper. Like using blankets, bubble wrap or newspaper can be helpful when packing kitchen items such as mugs and dishes.
- Handcart. Using a handcart can help with lifting heavy items and boxes. Utilizing this will lessen the chance of physical injury from lifting heavy boxes.
General moving and packing tips
Organization and planning are essential when you pack for a move. Consider creating a schedule for your move and organize items by room, common function or use. The following tips can help you get started.
- Start with items you won't need right away. Start by packing items you don’t use often so you don’t find yourself living out of boxes and repacking.
- Pack similar items together. Stay organized by packing similar items together based on room or use.
- Keep essentials packed separately for quick access. No one wants to go digging through boxes to find necessary items. Packing things such as first aid or flashlights in the same box could eliminate frustration.
- Label each box by its contents and room. Labeling boxes with contents and room will simplify unpacking. Boxes can be unloaded directly into the correct rooms.
- Color code boxes by each room. Having a color system for each room can ensure organization when it comes to packing.
- Allow yourself plenty of time to pack. It’s usually best to give yourself a little more time than you think to organize and pack. Creating a packing schedule for a move is a great way to make sure you give yourself enough time.
- Load furniture, appliances and larger items first. This leaves more room for the smaller items towards the door to the truck, making it easier to unload.
Room-by-room checklist for moving PDF
