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One of the most challenging and time-consuming aspects of any move is packing. Understandably, it’s difficult to pack up an entire home full of items. The task requires a lot of time and energy, and it can feel never-ending at times. Especially as you think about everything that needs to get packed before moving day, it’s easy to feel stressed about how you can possibly get it all done. Although the process of packing can be overwhelming, there’s good news – packing doesn’t need to feel like a nightmare. With the right steps, you can pack like a pro with confidence and ease. Interested in finding out the best ways to pack effectively for your next move? Find out our seven best tips!
- Allow plenty of time
Because packing can take so long, it’s important to allow ample time to complete this task. Rushing through packing will only result in stress. Instead, start as far in advance as you can so you can take your time to go through the packing process. If you split the task up to do just a little bit each day, it can do wonders to reduce your stress and make the job feel more manageable. Plus, moving more slowly allows you to pack in a more organized manner. This means you can be more intentional about the way you organize your items, rather than just throwing things into boxes in a rush with the sole purpose of getting it done as fast as possible. With more time, you can do your future self a favor by making the unpacking process less hectic.
- Declutter your home
A great way to make packing easier and more manageable is to complete a declutter before you begin. Decluttering involves sorting through your items to determine what you no longer want or need. Think of it as a big spring cleaning, but instead of being for spring, it’s in preparation for your move. You’ll want to sort your items into four categories: sell, donate, trash, and keep. The more you’re able to get rid of, the better. This will decrease the amount you need to pack, ultimately saving you some precious time and even saving money as it lessens the amount you need to bring in a moving truck. If you have a lot to donate, consider rehoming your items at a local secondhand shop. If you have loads to sell, host a yard sale before your move. These are quick and easy ways to cut down on what you don’t want to bring to your new home.
- Don’t leave any empty space
As you begin packing, it’s important to remember not to leave any empty space in your boxes. However, this doesn’t mean filling your boxes to the brim without considering the weight of them. You don’t want to concentrate too many heavy items in your boxes as you fill them. Instead, keep track of how heavy your box gets as you fill it, and once it starts to reach a solid weight, fill the empty space left with something lightweight. A great option for this is hangers. Alternatively, you can use bubble wrap or something soft like a towel to fill the space. You’ll want to do this to prevent most movement while in transit, preventing any damage.
- Label and organize
While packing, it’s important to consistently label your boxes. Try to be as detailed as possible when you’re doing this to make unpacking easier. Rather than simply writing the name of the room that the box belongs in, include details about the items in the box. This will make sorting through boxes much easier and quicker once you arrive at your new home. You should be consistent about labeling your boxes on more than one side so you can see what the contents are from numerous angles, no matter how you have the boxes packed in a moving truck or storage unit. If you want to take it even further, you can create an inventory list to correspond with your boxes. For this process, you would assign a number to each box and list the contents within each number on a document or spreadsheet. Then, you can easily see where you’ve stored each of your belongings.
- Protect fragile items
When in transit, your belongings can easily shift and jostle if not packed properly. This can lead to broken or damaged items if you aren’t careful about the way you pack. To avoid any potential issues with your fragile items, take protective measures to safeguard your belongings. Rely on the help of supplies like packing paper or bubble wrap to offer some extra padding to your items. You can also repurpose what you already have, such as heavy clothing or blankets, to wrap around your fragile belongings. You can also add some extra padding with pillows or cushions.
- Use high-quality supplies
Using the right supplies when you pack up your home is a crucial consideration. You should make sure you have high quality, sturdy boxes for your belongings to decrease the chances of the boxes breaking when lifted. Additionally, you should stock up on packing tape, permanent markers, moving blankets, bubble wrap, and any other materials as you see fit. These supplies can make a big difference in the ease of your move, allowing you to pack more carefully.
- Pack room by room
Finally, one important moving tip consistently recommended by experts is to pack your house one room at a time. First, packing this way provides an easier method of separating the task into chunks, preventing it from getting too overwhelming from the get-go. You can more easily give yourself small goals when you’re moving from room to room in this fashion. Additionally, this makes packing much simpler, ensuring that items from different rooms don’t end up commingling in one box. This is a surefire method to make unpacking a lot simpler and less stressful.
Stress-free packing for your next move
When it comes to packing, you don’t need to feel stressed and overwhelmed. With the right methods in place, you can handle packing calmly and with ease, preparing you for your move without any hassle. After packing, if you’re looking for a moving service that you can trust to get your belongings to your new home without any issues, depend on McGuire Moving & Storage! For over 80 years, we have provided our clients with the best of the best when it comes to packing, moving, and storage. Interested in our services? Request a quote today.
