5 Ideas on How to Pack Efficiently for a Move
Moving often makes people feel incredibly anxious. This is because moving typically consists of packing various items, many of which can be easily damaged, sorting out the logistics of the actual move, as well as having to set up everything at the new place. This is all on top of the other paperwork involved with a lease or mortgage!
Believe it or not, moving doesn’t have to be stressful, especially with the help of professional movers. There are many ways in which you can learn to pack smart; which will save you time and undue strain over the long run. In order to help you move with less stress, here are five ways on how to pack efficiently for a move:
Idea #1: Declutter and pack the least important items first.
In order to pack efficiently for a move, it is important to declutter your things. This is for the simple reason that it eliminates least used items right away, so you do not need to waste time on packing them. Rather than throwing them out, consider donating them to a shelter or organizing a garage sale.
After you eliminated all unnecessary items, begin to pack the least used items first. The reason for this approach is that it ensures that your last packed items are most necessary. Once you move to your new digs, you will know exactly where to find the important stuff.
Idea #2: Pack your items by categories and not by room.
The biggest misconception when it comes to packing for a move is that you need to sort out things by room. Indeed, often people will label their boxes as belonging to the kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, and bedrooms. However, this approach is less efficient than labelling things by category.
The best way to pack efficiently for a move is to group all similar items together in one box. For instance, all of your clothes would go in one box, and this would be labelled accordingly. If you want to get even more granular, then you can identify whether these clothes are for certain activities or hobbies.
The reason why it is important to group objects by category is that it allows you to distribute them faster across your home. If you went room by room, it takes much longer to set up. Simple tweaks like this can make a big difference in the overall efficiency of your move.
Idea #3: Pack the largest and heaviest items at the bottom.
Just like in grocery shopping, it is recommended to pack the largest and/or heaviest items at the bottom of your box. As such, smaller items will end up at the top of your box. This ensures that you do not miss and/or inadvertently break any smaller items.
This approach also allows your weight to be distributed towards the bottom of the box, which makes it far easier to carry. Your fellow movers will thank you!
Idea #4: Use bubble wrap when packing.
You can’t pull off a successful move if you don’t have a large bundle of bubble wrap at the helm. Bubble wrap is essential for protecting some of your pricey and easily breakable items. It also helps fill some gaps in your boxes, which helps ensure that items don’t move around so much.
You must be thinking: “thanks for the tip, but where on earth do I buy it!?” You would be surprised to learn that bubble wrap is sold almost everywhere. To get your hands on this key moving staple, visit any post office, large scale department store, or office supply place. If you’re working with a moving company, they can also sell it to you for a discount.
It is also important to note that there are numerous types of bubble wrap out there. Most notably, there are wraps with smaller-sized bubbles, and those with large bubbles. The type of wrap you need depends on the item. Big items would typically requires bigger bubble wrap, and vice versa.
This is to ensure that the item is thoroughly padded and protected, so that it won’t break in transit. Get familiar with bubble wrap before you make your move!
Idea #5: Plan ahead when you pack the boxes.
Packing for a move can be a very strenuous and stressful process. However, in order to smooth over this ordeal, it is important that you spend some time planning the move. Indeed, you will see that a well-planned move ends up being better executed, which will make you far less stressed.
Consider making various checklists and to-do lists, which will help you stay organized during the packing process. Once you get into your new home and things will be incredibly messy, you will be so happy that you know exactly where certain items are!
If you still feel like you are stressed despite putting all of these tips and tricks in place, just remember that you’ll be in your new home in no time. Get excited about the new life that’s just around the corner!
