Moving house is notorious for being one of the most stressful events in our adult lives. Once the final paperwork is signed, utility companies contacted, the garden shed cleared out and the removal van booked, it’s time to start thinking about packing – but for many this can feel like an impossibly big task.
Moving is expensive enough without forking out hundreds for a packing company as well, so we’ve compiled this list of tips on how to pack efficiently while keeping your valuables safe and secure in transit.
Read on to check out our packing advice for the big move.
Have a Clear-Out
Moving is a great excuse for a big clear-out, and this will significantly cut down on packing time and costs. Declutter everything from the back of the garage, under the stairs and in the loft. Hold a car boot sale, take unwanted items to charity, or sell things online and put the money towards the move.
Invest In Good Packaging
Varied, high quality packaging is essential for keeping your belongings protected during the move. Invest in a good selection of small, medium, large and wardrobe-sized boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspapers, permanent marker pens, labels, stretch wrap and Corex. Make sure to order these items well in advance of when you want to start packing.
Give Yourself Time
Having to rush the packing process will almost certainly be stressful and disorderly, and could result in things getting broken or forgotten. Be realistic with the amount of time you’ll need to pack, and think about how you’ll fit it in around work and other commitments. For a 3 bedroom house, we recommend starting to pack at least 2 weeks before your moving date.
Begin with Less Used Rooms
Not sure where to start? Begin with the rooms you use the least. Tools from the garden shed, the seasonal decorations, the unused china in the attic, the old photographs, and the furniture from the guest room can all be packed up first because you won’t need them for a while.
Work from Room to Room
The prospect of packing up a whole house can be overwhelming; packing one room at a time makes the process more linear and methodical, and it’ll be easier to sort through once you’ve arrived.
Wedge Fragile Things in Place
To stop things from breaking you need to minimise movement. Wedge breakables in position with newspaper, bubble wrap and Corex and be sure to keep these boxes aside for stacking on top in the van.
Don’t Fill Large Boxes
Filling the larger boxes will only make them harder to move and their contents more likely to get damaged, so be sure to keep these less than two thirds full.
Label Every Box
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home and not being able to find everything you need. Take care to label every single box with the contents and the room they came from – you’ll thank yourself later.
Keep Aside the Essentials
Don’t forget to keep a box or two of essentials that you’ll need as soon as you move in. These include clothes, toiletries, basic cooking utensils, the kettle, plates and towels.
Follow these straightforward packing tips, and the whole process will be much less stressful – it may even be a cathartic experience and a good way to declutter your life.
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