Feeling lost because you are planning to move and have no idea where to start? You are at the right place because we provided a thorough packing guide for moving!
We will provide you with a step-by-step guide for packing room by room as well as
● Explain to you exactly how to doit;
● What kind of equipment will you need;
● Organize moving from start to finish.
Importance of Packing Room by Room
If you are feeling too stressed to do the packing and moving simply call Experia moving company and get your quote today!
If, on the other hand, you decide to do it on your own, Experia is still here to help. Packing room by room is the next easiest way to get a flawless moving and unpacking experience.
Why?
- Because when you pack each room individually, you can label them and thus know exactly what that box contains and where it belongs.
- You can easily organize the boxes inside the moving truck, which will facilitate taking them out and placing them in the rooms.
- Besides that, you can keep packed and unpacked boxes in the areas you've already packed. By doing this, you can keep your living spaces and hallways clear so that you won't have to worry about navigating through a house full of packed-up items.
Planning and Preparation
Planning your move ahead of time can do so many things. Including,
● No stress;
● Not forgetting your belongings;
● Things are packed in well-organized boxes;
● Your moving truck is scheduled on time;
● Your appliances at your old home will properly be defrosted and turned off;
● Your new apartment will be prepared for a flawless unpacking experience.
For that reason, we provided a step-by-step guide on packing a house, including all of your rooms!
Packing the Garage
You will want to start with the room/area you use the least, including:
● Garage;
● Basement;
● Attic.
Leave the rooms you use the most for the end.
● Step 1: Start decluttering and separating the things you don’t need or use anymore. Choose at least two big boxes and place those belongings inside. Let one be for throwing away and another one for donating or selling.
● Step 2: You can throw away old paint, oil-gas, anti-freeze, pool chemicals, car batteries, etc. Make sure to dispose of these materials properly. If they're still useable, give them to a friend or neighbor; otherwise, search online to discover a depot where you may drop off hazardous items. Never dispose of them in your ordinary garbage or down the drain.
● Step 3:For packing all kinds of belongings from your garage, like hand tools, power, and gardening tools, don’t forget to use specialty boxes for everything. This will ensure all of the items are properly packed without any risk of being damaged or broken.
● Step 4:If you are packing, and the company is doing the transport, ask them if they are transporting large or possibly dangerous items, such as kids’ trampolines, bicycles, leaf or snow blowers, grill and swing sets, etc. If they do, pack them in proper boxes you can find in hardware stores.
● Step 5: Since garage boxes include all kinds of items, labeling and making an inventory is a must. This, to prevent accidentally reaching into boxes holding sharp or dangerous objects, attach a list of the contents to each box.
Packing Home Office
Additional tips are making a packing checklist for moving for each room, including a home office.
● Step 1: Go through your home office and see what you need and do not need.
● Step 2: Secure fragile things and devices with bubble wrap and protect them with tape.
● Step 3: As for your computer or laptop, ensure to back up all data. This will prevent any important data from accidentally being lost. Dust it off and remove any outdated notes or documents. Wrap the computer tower in bubble wrap or packing paper and place it in the box. Wrap the monitor in bubble wrap a few times to protect the screen as best as possible. Once you have all wrapped, securely place them in the box and tape them firmly. Do the same for other electronics in your office and house as well.
● Step 4: Separate home office items into different crates. Organizing them into smaller, properly labeled crates or small boxes can help you save time unpacking and prevent confusion.
● Step 5: Label them correctly. This will make you easily identify the boxes and their content once the unpacking occurs.
Packing the Bedroom (Including guest room)
If you have a few bedrooms, start with the one you are not using or using the least. Those are usually the guest bedrooms.
When it comes to your bedroom, you will want to start with things you don’t use, like linens and bedding. Separate a box for those things and place them for donating or selling.
Then move on to your closet. This will probably take most of your time. Ensure to go through all of your things and declutter anything you find
● Too small or too big;
● Too old where you can see the obvious signs of wear;
● Things you save for some special gatherings that never happen;
● Things you bought just because it was cheap, even if you don’t like - honestly, we all do that;
● Clothing that no longer fits your style;
● Duplicates, do you really need the same five pairs of jeans? Nope.
Take boxes and place those things inside and label them:
● Things to donate
● Things do discard
● Things to keep
When it comes to accessories and expensive jewelry, you want to be highly cautious with that. Keep those priceless items in a jewelry box or another box with sections, such as craft storage containers, after wrapping them in bubble wrap or the pouches they were delivered in.
As for things like hats and shoes, pack them in their original box. If you don’t have one anymore, wrap them and tape them before putting them in the box. Use tissue paper to guarantee that it does not get crushed during the move. You shouldn't pack them in the bottom of a box because they could get crushed or permanently damaged.
Packing the Children's Room
Start with kids' toys. Even though they are an important part of their childhood, they will be the least needed.
● Step 1: Examine all the toys and (board) games your kids have. Select which ones can be packed and moved and which ones can't. The games and toys you're leaving behind can be donated or gifted.
● Step 2: Action figures, dolls, toys with numerous moving parts, etc., should all be wrapped in soft wrapping paper first, followed by bubble wrap, to keep them safe.
● Step 3: As for small accessories and objects, place them in plastic bags in order not to lose them.
● Step 4: If possible, pack bulky games and toys in their original packaging. Use cardboard boxes that are the same size if you decide not to keep those.
As for kids’ clothing and footwear, the same rules apply to packing your own. Get rid of those old, grow-into, or hand-me-down shoes. The same goes for clothes that are outgrown, outworn, or just simply not suitable for wearing for any reason.
Regarding packing and moving furniture pieces in the kids' room, it is rarely worthwhile to pack and move. So, if you decide todo it, you must do the math. Ensure whether it is less expensive to buy new furniture after the move or to transport big and heavy pieces to the new home.
Packing the Living Room
Decluttering and cleaning are the first steps, as always.
● Step 1: Throw away things that do not go with the interior of your new home, items you don’t or rarely use, and things that you don’t like.
● Step 2: Ensure you have all needed boxes prepared and labeled, and attach a name to each group (like books, entertainment, or home decorations) for easier unpacking.
● Step 3: Before you relocate, clean every object in your living room. Even though you don't have to clean your living room's furniture and accents thoroughly, you should
● Vacuum all the furniture of crumb sand debris;
● Dust of the items and hard surfaces;
● Remove the covers from things like pillows and wash them.
When it comes to big items, like TVs or other electronics, pack them as stated above - wrapped in bubble wrap and taped down securely in the box. Dissemble your armchair, couch, or coffee table by using the instructions you received with the furniture. If you don’t have one, you can always Google it.
Smaller items that are less fragile, like books, photo albums, and other firm decorations placed in the labeled boxes.
Packing the Kitchen
Before packing the kitchen, don’t forget to leave a pair of knives, forks, spoons, a cup/glass, and a couple of plates. You can place it in your dishwasher or wash it with a sponge and dish soap.
Start packing with anything you prefer. We recommend the utensils and pottery that you rarely use. Then start with one by one drawer.
● Put pots and pans in a large or medium-sized box, tucking the smaller ones within the larger ones, and place a small piece of packing paper in the space between them for protection.
● Glasses and fragile cups should be placed in specialized dividers that are compatible with regular boxes. However, don't forget to wrap each in packing paper for extra protection and avoid placing anything on top of it.
● Bowels and plates are simple to pack. If the items are made of breakable materials, wrap each one individually before stacking; if not, simply place a piece of packing paper between them.
● Serving utensils, cutlery, and knives. Cover flatware and utensils in plastic wrap before laying them flat inside a box. As for knives, roll each one in a complete sheet of packing paper, cover them with a dish towel, and fasten everything together with a rubber band.
● For spices and food, use special boxes. Pack spices in small boxes; however, for everything that is expired, gone bad, or similar, get rid of it. If there are some things you don’t want to move yet that are still in good condition, you can easily donate them to a local food bank. Make sure everything is tightly wrapped before packing the remaining items in either a medium box or canvas grocery bags. When moving consumables from the refrigerator and pantry, use a cooler.
● Kitchen tech and appliances - Smaller appliances pack securely in smaller boxes, or even better, in a box that that appliance came in. Fill in any spaces around them with packing paper to seal them in the box and prevent moving. For bigger ones, like your fridge, you want to defrost it first, unplug, clean, and tape all the doors down.
Packing the Bathroom
Packing a house in boxes is never easy, but if you have made it this far, you have already succeeded!
When packing your bathroom, ensure one bathroom bag with all your necessities like tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and anything your family uses daily.
Divide the boxes with items you use together; for instance:
● Appliances
● Towels, bathrobes, and linens
● Cosmetics and toiletries
● Hair and body products
● Feminine and paper products
● Medicine
Get rid of those almost empty shampoos, body and face products, and those close to the expiration date. This also refers to medicine, perfumes even some bathroom appliances that you have duplicates or maybe are just too old and need replacement.
Here are steps on how to pack bathroom items:
● Step 1: All liquid-containing bottles that have been opened should be sealed or wrapped in plastic.
● Step 2: Use towels to line the boxes with fragile items like appliances and toiletries and label them as extremely fragile.
● Step 3: Overstuffed bins should be filled with unused towels. They won't add more weight, but they will take up room.
Conclusion
Our guide to packing for a move should thoroughly prepare you for a flawless moving experience. Pack the rooms individually and follow our recommendations on what and how to pack.
It’s always good to start with the room you rarely use and go on to the areas you frequently use, leaving silverware and plates and, of course, necessary bathroom items.
If this feels too stressful, remember that you can always call Experia Moving to release your burden and make your moving experience stress-free.
