Moving often means exciting new beginnings and the chance for a fresh start, and it’s fun to envision establishing a new home. First, however, there’s the business of packing up your current place – and that prospect is often stressful.
If you’re preparing to move and you already find yourself dreading the packing phase, check out these eight strategies for more quick and efficient packing.
Tip #1: Clear out an area to store your packed boxes.
Taking this initial step means you can keep your packing more organized, and it ensures you won’t be dodging boxes in every room of your house for weeks before your move.
Tip #2: Pack your least-used items first.
This might mean everything you have in storage spaces, like the attic, garage or closets, but you can also toss your out-of-season clothing and shoes into your least-used item boxes for the time being.
Tip #3: Store your packed boxes in such a way that the least-used boxes go in the truck last.
If they go into the truck last, they come out first. That means the more frequently used boxes will end up on the top and front of the stacks in each room once the truck is unloaded, and you can ensure you unpack your most frequently used items first.
Tip #4: Create color-coded labels for each room in your new home.
Most people simply write labels on moving boxes, but things like “back bedroom” or “Mom’s clothes” don’t mean much to professional movers or friends who may be helping you. Instead, color-code rooms and coordinate the boxes to the colors so your things will end up in the right rooms.
Tip #5: Ask movers to place boxes in the center of each room.
It’s typical to stack boxes against a wall so they are seemingly out of the way, but this causes trouble when you need to assemble or place furniture against the walls. Keeping boxes in the center if each room saves you the step of having to move boxes a second time.
Tip #6: Keep dresser clothing in their drawers.
Drawers are like a box with no top, so why remove them? Simply tape packing paper or plastic wrap over the top and leave them where they are. Once the dresser is on the moving truck, insert the filled drawers. Remove them when you reach your new home, remove the covering and put them right back in your dresser once it’s off the truck.
Tip #7: Bag screws and other parts you disassemble.
If you have to take apart a piece of furniture, put all the screws and other bits directly into a plastic baggie and write the name of the furniture piece on it. Keep all such baggies in one handy location for easy reassembly later.
Tip #8: Pack an overnight bag for every family member.
Save yourself from digging through boxes to find toothbrushes and other essentials by packing everything you’ll need for the first night and the first morning. Don’t forget things like medications and toiletries.
Taking the time up front to build efficiency into your packing process will pay dividends on moving day and beyond. Using the above strategies will make for a quicker, less stressful move.
Image via Unsplash/Sarah Brown
