Planning for a move can be overwhelming. Many people find that they don’t know where to start. After all, most of us have too much stuff to begin with, so it’s hard to know what to pack first and what to save for closer to moving day.
If you break a sweat just thinking about how to start packing for your big move, you’re in the right place! Today, we’re offering tips to help you streamline your process and begin filling boxes with confidence.
What to consider before packing to move
Before you begin packing items at random, you’ll want to create an inventory of your belongings to keep things organized. Here are a couple of critical categories to establish early on in the process:
What items will you need for daily use?
Consider what you would pack in your suitcase for an overnight trip. Toiletries, comfortable clothes, phone chargers, and similar items will likely make the list. Be sure to set aside daily medications as well as a first aid kit.
Which items are most essential?
Some belongings aren’t on the average packing list for a holiday vacation, but they’re things you’ll want to have on hand for your first few nights in a new home. Towels, bedding, and eating utensils fall into this category. After a long day of moving, the last thing you’ll want to do is wonder where your linens and bath towels are.
It’s also critical to set aside and clearly label important documents like car titles, mortgage agreements, tax records, and identifying information.
What can you donate?
Moving is the perfect time to declutter. As you take inventory of your belongings, decide whether certain items are valuable enough to pack and transport. You may find that donating excess stuff gives you a sense of relief—and makes your packing list more manageable.
What to pack first during your move
For a seamless, easy move, you’ll want to start packing as early as possible. Choose a staging area like the garage or a guest room where boxes can live before moving day. You can also opt for a portable storage container like Red Rover to hold large items like furniture between moves.
Here are a few things you can safely pack first as you begin the moving process:
Non-essential items
There are plenty of items you probably won’t need in the days and weeks leading up to your move. For example, books, artwork, and media like DVDs and records aren’t usually essential. Crafting supplies, hobby gear, and extra toys also usually fall into this category.
Seasonal items
If you’re moving over the summer, go ahead and pack winter clothes, accessories, and other gear first. Holiday decorations and seasonal decor can also go into boxes early on. You can even use some of those winter clothes as cushioning for your more breakable items!
Extra kitchen supplies and small appliances
Many of us have blenders, juicers, and other single-use kitchen appliances we rarely use. These are excellent items to pack first when preparing for a move. Additionally, you can package things like extra mixing bowls, food storage containers, and serving dishes.
This is also a good time to grab the bubble wrap and carefully pack China and crystal, which are only used on special occasions. Be sure to label each box clearly, especially for fragile items.
What to pack last when moving
Moving can be exciting, but you’ll need to save certain belongings for last as you fill those boxes and prepare for the big day:
Daily-use items
It might be tempting to pack up your entire kitchen at once, but you’ll appreciate having access to real flatware during your last night in your old home. Other items you’ll want on hand include phone chargers, water bottles, and several changes of clean clothes, as well as medications, toiletries, and a first aid kit.
Bed and bath essentials
It’s best to wait until the last minute to pack things like hand soap, body wash, and bath towels. Remember, moving tends to disrupt dust and dirt, so you’ll want to be able to wash your hands without having to unload boxes to find your soap.
Electronics and valuables
Hold off on packing jewelry, computers, TVs, and other valuables until closer to moving day. Allowing these items to sit in your garage can cause moisture damage and increase the risk of theft. If you need to disassemble your dining table or prepare other valuable furniture for your move, store them indoors until moving day to avoid warping.
Cleaning supplies
Whether you’re awaiting a final inspection from a landlord or simply tidying up for the new homeowners, it’s best to pack cleaning supplies last before your move. Of course, unexpected spills and messes are inevitable, so having paper towels and disinfectant wipes available will be convenient around moving day.
At Red Rover, we make moving stress-free!
Red Rover is here to help make your move as seamless as possible! Whether you’re looking for short-term storage between moves or full-service movers to safely transport your belongings, we can help.
Contact us today to learn more!