Packing Tips For Moving House

Sometimes, it’s only when you are moving home that you realise how much stuff you have! It’s a handy time to declutter and get rid of some items you no longer use or have need for.

Once you have disposed of some “no longer needed” items, now it’s time to start thinking about packing the rest of your house! Daunting?

Follow our packing tips for moving house, to help make your move as stress-free and easy as possible!

Create a List

Start out with a fresh piece of paper and start by making a room by room plan:

• Make a list of each room you have i.e., kids play room, master bedroom, kitchen etc.
• Take it room by room. Go to each room and decide what you need to pack and what will you be leaving to the professionals. For example, Bed – Professionals. Toys – Me. Curtains – Me

Once you have listed your items room by room, you will have a pretty good idea of how much you have to move.

Source Packing Materials

Now it’s time to source your packing materials.

You will need good both small and large boxes, bubble wrap, white sticky labels for labelling your boxes, permanent marker pens, industrial Sellotape, zip-lock bags (for small items like screws, batteries) and butcher paper. Butcher paper is clean, white paper for wrapping. It is a better alternative to newspaper, as newspaper may stain your goods.

And be sure to use good-quality moving boxes. Other cardboard boxes are often weak and can be prone to breaking, especially when full. Lower the risk of breakages by buying proper moving, or packing boxes.

Work Systematically       

Got your list of items laid out room by room? Are all your packing materials are on stand by and ready to be used? Now its time to systematically start packing, room by room.

• Decide which room you want to start packing, maybe a room that is used/needed the least.
• Assemble some of your moving boxes and stack them outside the room and take one in as needed.

Think Practically When Packing

You need to think practically when packing the boxes. This will not only help to prevent breakages, but will also keep you organised and your stress levels low.

Here are our practical tips for packing boxes:

• Use small boxes for heavy items.
• Use large boxes for lighter items.
• Do not over-pack the boxes, but be sure to never leave any space within the boxes. Space will leave room for items within the box to move around and can lead to breakages, as well as boxes crushing when stacked. You can fill up or add padding to the free space within a box by using towels or bed linen. You can also crush up some of your butchers’ paper or use bubble wrap so there are no gaps in the boxes.
• Pack heavy items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on the top.
• Secure your boxes closed with the industrial Sellotape and tape the top, bottom and sides of the box.
• Label the box with its contents – e.g. kid’s toys, CDs, books. When labelling, think of yourself on the other end in your new home, be detailed to make it as easy as possible on the other side!
• Leave all boxed items in their rooms until the professional removalists arrive to load the truck.
• Make a new list of inventories for each room. Record how many boxes are in each room, give each box a number and write a bullet pointed list of the items in each box.
• Make sure to keep a box for your first night with items that will be needed on your first night. This will be personal to you, but here’s some suggestions for your ‘First Night Box’: kids’ favourite toy; kettle, teabags and milk; snacks and some ready-made rolls for lunch; remote control for the TV; any medication, toothbrushes, toiletries and pyjamas. Think about what will make your life easier and more comfortable on your first night when packing this box.

You are ready for moving! For more tips and help with your move, read and download our Moving House Checklist. At Adlam Transport, we provide a professional packing service. Our team of professional packers will come to your home and strategically pack all your items for you to help save you time. Contact our friendly team to find out more about packing, indeed any of our services.