Moving is one of the most stressful events families can experience. The changing routines, financial outlay, and the physical and emotional exertion can be an overwhelming prospect. However, a few clever packing hacks can streamline the process, making your move more manageable. Here are some tips that will bring some order to your moving chaos!
Sort and Donate Early
Any moving professional worth their salt will stress the importance of decluttering. It’s the single most effective way to minimize both your packing time and the cost of your move. Start with a stringent pass through all your belongings and separate items you don’t use, need, or love. Then donate them to a local charity or sell them. This will free up both space and funds.
Get the Right-Sized Boxes
Movers aren’t the only ones who can help you pack. Save time and effort by getting boxes of the correct size—a few large ones for light items like bedding and clothing, and smaller ones for heavier things like books and dishes. Packing a little smarter at the ‘unloading’ end of the move can save a lot of grunt work, too.
Pack an ‘Open First’ Box
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home, exhausted, and realizing you have no clue where the coffee filters are. Pack a clear plastic box of all the essentials you’ll need on day one in your new home—medications, important papers, phone chargers, and even some favorite snacks to keep your spirits up. Label it clearly so it’s the first box you open.
Color-Code Your Boxes
A moving day can be a blur of different boxes all going off to different rooms. Make sure your boxes get to the right spot by color-coding them with bright stickers. You can use different colors for different rooms; for example, blue for the bedroom, green for the kitchen, and so on. Not only does this make the job of movers easier, but it makes unpacking a breeze.
Fill in Empty Spaces
Bubble wrap isn’t the only way to protect fragile items. Use clothing, towels, and socks to pad delicate objects when packing. Doing so saves you space in your boxes and keeps your breakables safe. It’s a hack that’s good for the environment and your wallet, too.
Take Pictures of Your Electronics
Before disconnecting your electronics, take a quick snapshot of the back of each item. These pictures will serve as a reference for where all the wires and cables go when you’re setting up your TV or Home Theatre again.
Pack Plates on Their Sides
It may seem counter-intuitive, but packing your plates vertically can actually reduce the risk of them breaking. They’re less likely to shift and get crushed that way. Just make sure they’re well-padded and secure in a sturdy box.
Keep Drawers Intact with Plastic Wrap
Save yourself the time of unpacking and re-filling drawers by wrapping them in plastic wrap. It will keep everything in its place and protect both the contents and the furniture throughout the move.
Label Essentials and Fragiles Clearly
With all the chaos of a move, the clearer you can label your boxes, the better. Mark any box containing breakable items, and once done, label boxes you’ll need to open first or use yellow tape to differentiate them from the rest.
Welcome Help (And Snacks)
The more, the merrier—or at least, the less daunting. Enlist family and friends to help out with the packing process. After all, many hands make light work. Putting out some snacks and refreshments will make it a more pleasant affair, and remember to express your gratitude too—it does take a village.
Moving doesn’t have to be the Herculean task it often seems to be. By leveraging some of these genius packing hacks, you’re not only streamlining the moving process but also alleviating much of the stress and chaos that traditionally accompany it. Remember, the key to a smooth move is preparation and organization!
