Packing is a time-consuming part of the relocation process, even when you are moving within the same city or community. It involves organizing and protecting your furniture and home goods using various moving supplies, which requires careful planning and execution.
While it may be tempting to leave packing until the last minute, a strategic approach can significantly alleviate stress and ensure a smooth transition into your new home. This packing 101 guide will teach you how to pack efficiently for a local move.
When Should You Start Packing?
The key to an efficient move is starting early. Ideally, you should begin packing about four to six weeks before your moving date. Doing so allows you ample time to sort through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Early packing reduces last-minute stress and ensures you’re ready when the moving day arrives.
Preparing To Pack for a Local Move
Making the appropriate preparations before diving into the actual packing process is crucial. Following this step will ensure your success by decreasing stress and preventing potential headaches once you move into your new home. Here are three ways to prepare your belongings for a local move:
Gather Quality Supplies
High-quality packing supplies are essential for protecting your belongings during the move. Invest in sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. The right supplies will make the packing process much more efficient and secure.
Declutter Your Belongings
Declutter your home before packing by going through each room and deciding which items you no longer need or use. Donate or sell items in good condition, and discard anything broken or worn out. Decluttering reduces the number of items you must pack and helps you start fresh in your new home.
Create a Packing Strategy
Having a solid packing strategy in place will make the process more manageable. Taking inventory of your possessions while adhering to deadlines leading up to your moving day will help you prioritize tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Breaking down tasks into smaller, achievable goals can reduce stress and keep you organized.
How To Prioritize the Packing Order
A substantial aspect of forming a packing strategy is to follow a strategic packing order. Starting with the items you use the least and working your way up to your most essential belongings ensures your daily routine remains as uninterrupted as possible until the final stages of your move. Read on to learn what order you should pack different home goods and tips for protecting each one in transit.
Items in Storage
The best place to start is with items already packed away in a storage unit or your garage. Ensure you protect fragile goods with paper, bubble wrap, or fabrics and that each box or bin is not too heavy to lift on its own.
Out of Season Items
Next, pack out-of-season items, such as winter clothing during summer or summer gear during winter. These items aren’t immediate necessities, so you can safely pack them away until you move.
Non-Essential Items and Decorations
A few weeks before your moving day, pack non-essential items and decorations that you won’t miss in the weeks leading up to your move. These items include artwork, knick-knacks, and home decor. You can box these things up early without affecting your daily life.
Bedroom Items
Start packing the bedroom by organizing and packing items from dresser drawers, nightstands, and closets. Leave out only the essentials you’ll need up until moving day, such as a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries.
Clothes and Shoes
Sort through your wardrobe and pack clothes and shoes you won’t need immediately. Transport folded garments in suitcases, clear bins, and cardboard boxes, and pack shoes in separate boxes to prevent damage.
Kitchen and Bathroom Items
It’s best to tackle kitchen and bathroom items in stages. Start with items you use infrequently, such as specialty kitchen gadgets and extra toiletries. In the week leading up to your move, pack your most frequently used items, such as glassware, silverware, grooming tools, and bathroom textiles, while keeping similar items together.
Cleaning and Packing Supplies
Keep your cleaning and packing supplies handy until the very end. You’ll need these items to clean your old home before you leave and to finish any last-minute packing tasks.
Everyday Items
Pack your everyday items, such as toiletries, kitchen essentials, and daily-use electronics, in the final days before your move. These items should be easily accessible for immediate use in your new home.
General Packing Tips
Now that you understand what order to pack your belongings in, learning how to pack efficiently for a local move in a more general sense will make the process even easier. Here are five tips to keep in mind as you pack:
- Group similar belongings in the same boxes to ensure you can quickly find what you need. For example, pack all kitchen utensils in one box and all bathroom supplies in another.
- Streamline the unpacking process by labeling and color-coding each box with its contents and the room it belongs.
- Place heavier items at the bottom of boxes to prevent them from crushing lighter or fragile items.
- Fill any gaps in your moving boxes with packing paper or soft items to prevent your things from shifting during transit and reduce the risk of damage.
- Wrap your fragile items in t-shirts, towels, and spare bedsheets to provide extra cushioning and protect them from breakage.
Should You Book Full-Service Movers?
Consider hiring a local home moving service that offers full-service options if the idea of packing and moving seems overwhelming. Full-service movers handle everything from packing and loading to transporting and unloading your belongings. This option can save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move.
Plus, professional movers have the expertise to handle your belongings safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of damage. With their help, you can make your transition smoother and less stressful.
Capitol North American offers full-service local moving in Milwaukee and Las Vegas to guide households through the entire relocation process with friendly customer service and professional expertise. Contact us to start planning your local move today.
