Moving house : Top 10 packing tips

Moving house is an exciting time in your life but it can sometimes be a lengthy and stressful process. Here are our top 10 packing tips to help you get organised in advance and avoid any unexpected surprises along the way. 

1.     Make a list      
Although the reasons for moving house are often positive, the move itself can be quite a challenge both physically and mentally, that’s why planning ahead with a packing checklist is the key to a successful start. A list will help you follow the packing steps and stay organised throughout the process. Make sure your lists have a clear structure and are written using bullet points - this way you can tick the items off your list when they are completed. 

Tip: To stay organised, start your packing at the top of the house and work your way downstairs. 

2.     Clear out!        
You are starting a new chapter in your life and you don’t want to take the clutter with you to your new home! Did you know that 80% of what we keep we never use?! Thus, make sure you go through all your things before packing them away into boxes - this is the perfect time to sort out and throw out!

 Tip: Getting rid of clutter actually eliminates 40% of housework in the average home. So, if you’re not a fan of weekly chores then de-cluttering beforehand will give you a helpful start. 

3.     Give yourself plenty of time 

Start your planning early to avoid unnecessary stress - easier said than done! Trust me, packing always takes longer than you anticipate. Once you start going through your wardrobe, you will find things you never even knew you had! Let the fashion show commence! Leaving yourself fair amount of time will help to smooth out the process.   

Tip:  On average 80 % of the clothes we wear amounts to only 20 % of our wardrobe. So if you haven’t worn something for more than 6 months, there is a good chance you will not wear it again.

4.     Prepare boxes in advance

Calculate how many boxes you will need and get them in advance. This may seem obvious but it’s crucial to mention. Getting a variety of boxes in different sizes will also give you more options when packing so it’s essential you start collecting them early. You can obtain boxes from a variety of places such as supermarkets, discount shops, coffee shops, book shops, recycling centres, fast food chains etc. 

 Tip: Use old newspapers to wrap around fragile items and remember: get plenty of packing tape to secure the boxes-  it’s better to be safe than sorry! 

5.     Segregate your things and label the boxes

Making sure your things are organised into themes is essential when unpacking at your new home.  You don’t want to open every single box when looking for something after you move in. Sectioning your things into specific places and properly labelling everything may take some extra time while packing but it will be a lifesaver during the first few weeks in your new home.     

Tip:  Used toilet roll tubes are handy holders for cables and can be easily written on to identify them. It is also good to pack up all the wires separately for easy access. 

6.    Don’t overfill the large boxes 
They will simply be too heavy to move so make sure you fill with only as much as you can lift to avoid any injures.  Don’t put big and heavy items into the large boxes, use small ones instead, that will help to keep your boxes at a reasonable weight. 

Tip: Label which boxes are heavy or light to make the loading process even smoother.

7.     Pack an ‘essential box’           
Prepare one box with all the things you will definitely need during your first day and night at your new home. By doing so, you won’t need to open every single box to reach one item.  

Tip: Using a clear plastic box for your essentials will make it easier to locate it among other boxes and it will also be handy when opening and closing multiple times.               

8.     Pack a separate box with all your documents          
Losing a lamp seems less of a tragedy opposed to misplacing your passport or birth certificate, so remember to pack all of your important documents together and keep them with you the whole time. 

 Tip: Pack your documents last and make sure they are accessible at all times.                 

9.     Roll your clothes        
Rolling clothes is not only more practical when it comes to packing a suitcase and maximising the space, it also reduces the wrinkles in your clothes. So forget about ironing, roll your clothes and when you’re unpacking you can put your clothes straight into your new wardrobe.            

Tip: You can use small items of rolled clothing to fill the gaps in other boxes for effective packing. They can also be used as protection around the fragile items. 

10.  Protect your things

 Last but not least, make sure your expensive things are insured and protected. Even if you already have insurance, it’s important to check if it covers breakages and damage during the move. 

 Tip: When looking for a removal company, check first that they are fully insured. Give yourself peace of mind knowing your things are safe during transit. 

Happy moving!