Moving to a new house can be stressful and time consuming. Often, people who move are busy from the moment they decide to leave their current home until the moment they unpack their last box.
Packing efficiently and sensibly can make the experience more satisfying overall. Many people who are moving for the first time make mistakes such as packing items they don’t need and packing in inefficient ways. Knowing the first steps when packing up a home and how to avoid packing problems are important.
Preliminary Packing Activities
Before you can begin packing, you must first prepare. This involves purging your home of things you don’t need, disassembling items that need to be taken apart, and collecting the right tools to make packing easier. This prep speeds up the packing process and can reduce stress when moving day comes.
Purging Is Part Of The Process
No doubt about it, purging is a crucial part of moving. There are a lot of different ways to purge your stuff. You can pick the method that works best for you:
- Sell big items such as furniture and technology.
- Give useful items to charity.
- Throw away things nobody will want.
Purging feels good, after you’ve gotten into the groove. Getting rid of unneeded items can take weeks, so start purging at least three months before you plan to move.
Disassemble
Take apart furniture that cannot be moved in one large piece. If there are shelves on your walls that need to be taken down and/or disassembled, do it sooner rather than later.
Collect Packing Materials
You’ll need a lot of packing materials on hand. Collect tape, boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper in abundance. Keep more on hand than you think you’ll need — this way you won’t have to worry about running out and interrupting the process to buy more.
What to Pack First
Start in parts of the house that are used the least. The guest room, shed and garage are all smart places to begin. Once these rooms are packed, you can store boxes there while packing the rest of the house. Start by packing seasonal items you’re not using such as holiday decorations, books and other items that aren’t crucial on a day-to-day basis.
Time-Efficient Packing Techniques
For many people, packing fast is just as important as packing well. Packing quickly can help make moving a less unpleasant task and allows you to focus on other parts of your relocation.
Focus on the Task
Work quickly and in ways that are focused. Do not watch television, talk on the phone or engage in other activities while packing. Eat well on days you pack and push yourself to be fast — as though you’re performing in an athletic competition.
Except in cases where fragile items are involved, there’s no need to be too careful. If your boxes are strong, your items should be safe. Pack fragile pieces with soft items — i.e., towels between dishes — to help prevent nicks, cracks and breaking.
Work in Teams
Get together with friends, neighbors or other members of your household and pack in teams. Your friends and family members can assemble and stack boxes while you pack.
Contact Professional Movers
If you’re planning to move soon and are struggling to handle all packing responsibilities by yourself, contact professional movers. They are experienced and skilled in all areas of relocation and can help you expedite — or eliminate — the packing segment of your move.
