10 TOP TIPS TO PACKING YOUR HOME!
We all know how stressful moving home can be, with having to pack all of your worldly possessions, transport them, and then unpack and rearrange them into a new space. It’s time consuming, things can get broken and emotions are high.
We’ve come up with some top tips that can hopefully make the lead up to the ‘big day’ a little less chaotic for you!
1. Label the boxes as you are packing them with which room they are coming from.
As you will know the current house very well and what was in each room, this can make it easier for finding things when in a hurry once you’ve moved to the new property.
It also helps when unloading the boxes into the new property, as you will have a good idea which box is destined for which new room.
2. Put heavy things in small boxes, and lighter things in bigger boxes.
The last thing you want to do on move day is put your back out or suffer an injury due to an overweight box. Putting heavy things into small boxes helps to keep the load light enough for one person to carry.
It’s a good idea to keep checking the weight of your box as you are packing it, to make sure that its not getting too much, and put the heavier items at the bottom of each box rather than the top.
3. Make sure your boxes are full.
When transporting the boxes from A to B, they will be stacked on top of each other, to make the most of the space in the van. If boxes are only partially packed they can crumple under the weight of the other boxes and damage the possessions inside.
If you have packed everything you need in a box and there’s a fair bit of room still left, try either using a smaller box, or putting a pillow in the box to fill the extra space that’s left. Scrunching up some packing paper and filling it can work too.
4. Pack a box of things that you will need on move day.
This box is to be clearly labelled and kept separate from the others. You should pack things that you are going to need immediately, or that are important for the move/your wellbeing. This could be screwdrivers, kettle with some mugs and tea/coffee, medication, baby items, pen and paper, toilet roll, hand soap, small towel, a couple of cleaning supplies, phone chargers or similar items.
5. Dismantle any large pieces of furniture before-hand.
This includes beds, large sofas, tables, wardrobes, dressers or anything that is going to be too large to easily move in/out of the property.
When you have taken apart any items, it is important to put all of the screws, bolts and nuts etc into a sealable bag and label it with exactly what item they are for, whilst also finding a safe space for that bag. Some people like to attach the bag to a large part of the furniture it came from, or you can have a separate small box which all of the bags of screws go into, so they’re all kept in the same place.
6. Protect the fragile things!
Unfortunately, with lots of moving around and not being able to see inside each box as they are being transported, more delicate items can get broken if not properly protected. Using either bubble wrap or packing paper, wrap each fragile item individually, and ensure that there is plenty of padding inside of the box as well, by using more bubble wrap or scrunched up packing paper. Make sure you clearly mark the box as FRAGILE to minimise the risk of any accidents.
Its important to protect any screens that could be damaged as well, such as TVs, mirrors or computers. Using a protective cover, or bubble wrap can be useful, but also ensure that the placement of these items inside of the moving van is away from corners of boxes, and it is secure enough that it will not move when the vehicle is in motion.
7. Do you really want it?
Packing all of your belongings is a great time to sort through what you want to keep and things that you simply do not have a use for any more. There is no use in hauling things you do not want any more to your new property, just to clutter it or have to get rid of at a later date.
Creating a separate pile of items that you could sell or donate, and one for things that can only be disposed of, will help prevent you carrying extra loads of boxes on move day, and you could earn yourself a few pennies along the way!
8. Tape it up!
Make sure when you are preparing your boxes, that you tape the bottom securely. The best way of doing this is to tape along the seam where the box closes, and then tape another two lines going across this to hold the sides together. When taping, you want to make sue the tape is touching 3 sides of the box, and not just the side you’re focusing on. This will add to the strength of the hold, and be less likely to come off.
On the top of the box, taping along the seam and then another straight across it will be sufficient in holding it together.
9. Pack what you use least, first.
A good way to pack your possessions without causing too much of a daily sacrifice, is to start with things you don’t use so often and working your way up to the daily items. If it is the middle of June, it may be a good idea to get the Christmas decorations boxed up, along with all of your winter clothes!
10. Give yourself time!
Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully pack the property. It’s not something you can quickly get done in an hour, and depending on how much you have going on in your life, it could take over a week! Weigh up how much free time you will be able to sacrifice for packing, and give yourself enough space to be able to comfortably sort through things and pack your belongings safely.
Hopefully these top tips have given you some food for thought, or helped to prepare you for your future move in day!
