How To Pack Up Your House When Moving
Issue: Mar 2024
We can all agree that moving is one of the most stressful tasks that exist. What is supposed to be an exciting new chapter for you and your family quickly turns into a daunting task as you look around at the piles of stuff accumulated in your home.
Packing up your entire household into boxes can seem overwhelmingly challenging. Where should you even begin? Not to mention finding time for packing amidst your already busy schedule.
The great news is you don’t have to do it all by yourself. This blog post will show you how to pack up your house for moving. Not only will you get the how-to, but also handy tips to make packing easier for your next move.
1. Create a Master Packing Timetable
The key to smoothly packing an entire home is getting organised early with a master packing timetable. Don’t let move day creep up without having a plan in place.
The last thing you want to do is spend time (you don’t already have) Googling “how to pack up your house for moving” or “best way to pack for moving” a day or two before your move.
At least two months before your scheduled move, take the time to sit down with your calendar and plan out the specific preparation tasks for each week leading up to your move. Create a timeline that includes deadlines for essential activities for a smooth transition.
2. Secure Moving Supplies
You’ll need the right packaging materials for efficient and safe packing. About two months before your move date, take inventory of what's already on hand — things like boxes (broken down for reuse), bubble wrap, padding materials like towels and blankets, tape, jars and bins for hardware, and marker pens for labelling, etc.
Make a list of any additional supplies you need to purchase or begin collecting, like:
Cardboard Boxes of Various Sizes
Choosing moving boxes that come in various sizes means you can comfortably pack your items without worrying about them getting damaged or even broken.
Packing Tape
Packing tape is essential to secure boxes and reinforce the corners to prevent them from breaking.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap adds an extra layer of protection to fragile items, making it the perfect solution for safeguarding your fancy china.
Newspaper or Packing Paper
Much like bubble wrap, newspaper or packing paper is essential for safeguarding fragile items and preventing breakage, which guarantees a smooth transition to your new home.
Permanent Marker Pens
Permanent marker pens play a crucial role in moving by allowing you to label boxes with clear instructions, fast tracking an organised and efficient unpacking process.
Cable Ties
Cable ties play a crucial role in efficient packing for a move, providing a reliable means to secure and organise items, preventing disarray, and promoting a streamlined and orderly relocation.
Furniture Pads
Furniture pads are essential during the packing process for a move, offering vital protection against scratches and damages.
Toolbox for Disassembly
A toolkit for disassembly is indispensable when packing to move, enabling you to quickly break down furniture and other large items so they’re easier to store.
Speciality Cartons (if moving valuables)
Specialty cartons are essential when packing valuable items for a move. They’re designed to give personalised protection and support, reducing the risk of damage. These cartons cater to specific items, providing a safe and cushioned space to protect delicate valuables during transportation.
3. Declutter Each Room
Before packing up any given room, you need to declutter. This not only lightens your loading burden but also saves you time. Many times, people realise how much clutter they have and how much they don’t need when they move.
Create piles to keep, donate, sell, toss, and store. Haven’t used it in over a year? Donate it. Is it broken or useless? Toss it. Only need it every so often? Put it into storage. Be strategic — there's no sense in packing junk you won’t need just to unpack and get rid of it later.
Packing up areas such as the garage, loft, and cellar spaces first when moving can help make moving seamless as these areas tend to accumulate forgotten possessions and seasonal items that you access less often.
4. Pack Room-by-Room Over the Six Weeks Before Moving Day
With the garage, attic, and basement spaces packed, you can now focus on systematically packing up the living areas of your home leading up to moving day. Break this down room by room.
This strategy allows you to access everyday items needed in those last couple of weeks while still making steady packing progress. It also prevents you from needing to unpack boxes just to retrieve something later.
For each room’s timeline, gather supplies, purge items, then carefully pack, label, and store boxes. Doing it methodically this way prevents last-minute mayhem!
5. Create a Labelling System
Creating a labelling system for your moving boxes and keeping an inventory is vital for a smooth move. As you pack each box, clearly identify the contents, room, box number, and other details with a permanent marker directly on the box. Use clear lettering on at least one side and the end panel.
Good descriptors include basics like “Kitchenware” and “Glassware” and specifics like “Master Bedroom Linens” and “Kids’ Toys”. Numbering each box and including a total box count per room helps movers know where to carry boxes.
6. Make an Essential To-Do List Before Moving
Knowing how to pack when moving house is crucial for a smooth and stress-free transition. The key is having a strategy for essential tasks that need to happen weeks and even months before moving day.
Too often, people leave everything until the last minute, turning packing into a rushed, chaotic nightmare that nobody wants. Avoid this by creating a master pre-move timeline that distributes key tasks incrementally over your calendar.
Make Your Next Move Stress-Free With StorHub
When it comes to moving, having guidance on packing is crucial for organisation. However, the physical task of loading numerous heavy boxes and furniture onto trolleys can be back-breaking.
StorHub offers a range of services to assist you throughout your entire storage journey, from moving into your unit to staying with us.
We provide packing supplies and offer the free use of our on-site van and trailer, ensuring a personalised and worry-free service at every step.
Get in touch with us today and let’s make your move seamless.