Whether you are moving cross country or moving across the street, packing is one of the most crucial beginning steps you will have to take. While no one is likes packing or unpacking their entire home, doing so in an organized manner can not only help keep everything together, but it can prevent headaches when trying unpack everything.

Tips for Packing

When you find a new home, it’s time to start the packing process. While this can seem tedious, here are a few tips to help make it a little easier.

• While it’s easy to procrastinate until the last minute, I would strongly advise against it. While there are some moving companies that will assist with this task, you know your house better than anyone, and doing it yourself can help keep all your rooms together and organized. Begin a few weeks prior to your moving date, and pack what you don’t need immediately first. This can also serve as a good excuse to clean out the stuff you no longer need altogether. Pack what you want, and maybe donate what you don’t need. This can give you the option of starting anew in a brand new location. If you start by packing several boxes a day, weeks in advance, you can help stay organized, and won’t risk burning yourself out by moving day.
• Try to pack everything by room, don’t put dishes in with bathroom decor. Focusing on one room at a time can help with the pace, and help make it easier when you go to unpack, as everything will be appropriately grouped together.
• Be sure to label everything, and label it clearly. You can go one step further by writing the base contents on the side of the box. Additionally you can even color coordinate to help differentiate rooms even more. This can save you time when unpacking, and make it easier to find what you will immediately need after you move.
• When stocking up on boxes specifically for moving, make sure you don’t just use boxes from the grocery store. These might not be able to support the weight of your household items, and may not offer enough study protection from potential damage in transport, especially for more delicate glass fixtures.
• If you are thinking of shipping items to your new address, make sure you know what you can and cannot send through the mail. It may be best to bring them along, or in transport with your larger items in a moving truck. Moving services may offer advice on what is applicable; however, there are lists online that can provide you a complete list of what can not be sent through the mail.
• Any valuables that you have, and would not want to chance losing, should be transported with you. Family heirlooms, personal documents, expensive china or jewelry, should be transported with care, and in your own personal vehicle if possible.

Moving is a big life event, and it can be both exciting and stressful. Help make packing a little bit easier by following the steps above. Keeping everything together can help ensure everything is organized and kept together for easier unpacking, while valuable can be kept as safe as possible. Don’t over complicate the process, and don’t procrastinate; pack at a steady pace and you’ll be ready for moving day in no time.