5 Packing Tips For An Efficient Move

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 dotcomwomen

Maybe you just bought a new house. It could also be that you decided to relocate for a greener pastures, or you just want to start anew in an entirely different place. No matter the case, there’s one thing that comes after you decide to move—packing.

Moving is one thing, but packing is a different thing altogether. If you’re not entirely familiar with how it goes, you might find packing as an intimidating process that you can’t tackle on your own. Don’t worry because for the most part, all it takes is enough preparation. To add, an action plan on how you’ll do it and a checklist of everything else you need to take care of should do the trick for an efficient move.

Ready to get things moving? Here are some packing tips you can consider to make your relocation as hassle-free and systematic as possible:

Don’t bring everything

Packing is already laborious and time-consuming as it is. Imagine if you need to include all the stuff you have and box them one by one for the move. That’ll also eat up unnecessary space in your vehicle. That may be fine if you do have plenty of room for the stuff. But if you’re about to embark on a long distance move, bringing too many unessential items isn’t recommended. (1)

Lightening your load can be an excellent method if you don’t want to go through such a hassle. As you check which items to bring and not, take the opportunity to declutter and let go of things you no longer need. Damaged, broken, or outdated appliances and devices might be better off donated or disposed of. The same goes for clothes and shoes that you or your family have outworn or no longer wear. (1) (2)

By not bringing everything, you can cut down the time you need to invest in packing. To add, you’ll also be able to save on costs related to your move—from packaging tapes, bubble wraps, storage boxes, and the fees for the moving truck or van.

Pack items according to the room or purpose they are for

It may look like an easier approach if you’re packing items according to size and weight. However, that could mean mixing different pieces and stuff without minding how you’ll unpack and organize them after the move. Imagine if your bedroom lamp were packed with the bread toaster or coffee maker simply because they’re all heavy and almost the same sizes. When it’s time to arrange things in your new home, it’ll be quite a mess to look for everything you need. (3)

A better idea is to pack items according to where you’ll be putting them and their purposes. For example, designating several boxes for kitchen tools and utensils is more organized. You won’t need to open all the boxes just to look for a cooking pot or frying pan. As long as you’ve written clear labels on all the boxes, you can quickly tell where to look and which package to open. Alternatively, you may also color code the boxes according to room assignment. For instance, pink labels are for the master bedroom, green for the kitchen, and so on. (4)

As soon as you reach your new home, you can organize things by putting boxes in their designated rooms. It’ll be easier to clean and organize the space if there were no stacks of boxes lying around everywhere. Unpacking is also more convenient when you already have the boxes in their assigned rooms. Even when they’re not fully out of the boxes yet, you won’t have a hard time getting anything you might need in the days to come. (4)

Take care of sensitive and expensive pieces

Every household sure has a few pieces they’re more worried about whenever there’s a need to move. Whether expensive art, vintage furniture, or other fragile items, you need to be extra careful and take care of how they’ll be transported before anything else. If you have experience packing such sensitive artwork pieces, you can go ahead and pack them on your own. But if` you’re not entirely sure how to go about it, it’s recommended to talk to your mover and ask them what services or features they offer for particular circumstances like yours.

Some movers offer special crating services for expensive art numbers. The package may also come with packing features, so you won’t have to do the packing and preparation yourself. As for costly furniture, make sure you cover and secure the pieces to avoid them from getting damaged or broken while in transit. Use high-quality packaging materials for uttermost protection. And if you can, consider getting insurance for your valuable items for an extra layer of security. (1)

Leave your clothes as they are

If you have enough drawers and dressers, it’s recommended just to leave your clothes inside. You can hang or fold them—it’s up to you to decide. For delicate items like suits and formal dresses, hanging them would probably be better. That way, there’s a lesser chance of ruining or crumpling the clothes. To add, you’ll also be saving plenty of time and space. (5)

Use tapes to shut the drawers so you won’t need to worry about any accidental opening while on the road. Just be sure to pay attention to paint or finishes that might get ruined because of the tape. You can also secure cabinet doors with cable ties.

Don’t forget to pack a bag for all your essentials

Another essential tip you shouldn’t forget is to prepare a bag or box for your essentials, such as legal papers, sensitive files, jewelry, and other similar items. If possible, the bag should be easy to carry so you can have it with you the entire time as you move. This is also the container for your IDs, wallets, money, checkbooks, and other financial-related stuff. (3) (4)

If you have a baby or kids traveling with you on the day of the move, prepare a go bag that contains their basic needs. This can include feeding bottles, medications, snacks, drinking water, milk, and a first aid kit. (2)

The bottom line

Packing for an efficient move is possible if you’re well prepared for it. It pays to be invested in how you can make the transition easier and more convenient for everyone in the family. Moving is no easy task, and the key is to know the right way of doing things to make the process as quick and bearable as possible.

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