No matter how we put it, packing is always the most dreaded part of a move. It seems as if one can never quite figure out how to organize things the right way, make enough space for everything, and then somehow also make loading it all in the confines of a moving truck. Not every person has the management and organization skills to pull all of this off with little to no planning.
This is why anyone who is expecting to move in the near future wants to know how they can go about packing in order for it to be a smooth and efficient experience. Packing also determines how well you’ll be able to unpack and settle in in your new house, so there’s a lot resting on it. This is why we’re unpacking the most efficient way to pack your things before a move.
No time is too soon to pack.
The earlier you start packing, the sooner you’ll have everything in its place, and hence lots of peace of mind while orchestrating the rest of the move too. Even if you estimate that weeks are left until the day of the move, initiate packing the little things that aren’t used regularly. Pack up that one unused room that has unintentionally turned into a storage area.
Go through your kids’ rooms and start packing boxes, asking them to gradually put things in there that they aren’t using every day. A good idea is to be pessimistic in your approach to packing; always assume it will take more time than it usually does for you. This way, the worst-case scenario will be that you’ll have everything packed and ready and can move on to other tougher aspects of the move.
The kitchen is always the toughest part.
It might seem reasonable to leave the kitchen packing for last since it is the one place that stores all of your everyday use items, and disrupting it doesn’t seem the best idea. The reality is that the kitchen is a packing Pandora’s Box if there ever was one. Everything from dishes to appliances comes together to form one tough mess to deal with. The last thing you want is an untouched kitchen when you’re scheduled to move the very next morning.
The kitchen also has a bunch of breakables and fragile items that need to be stored with extra care and more packing material than usual. This means that storing everything in the kitchen is going to take a greater amount of time than in any other part of the house. If efficient packing is what you’re planning for this move, then make sure you’re addressing the kitchen as you go along instead of leaving it for last.
Take your pick with the approach.
There are many ways you can go about packing, but if all you’ve accomplished thus far is spiraling in confusion over where to start, remember that no approach is better than the other. To provide you with some creative inspiration, you could start by addressing one room at a time. Another method is to address more cluttered rooms first and leave lighter ones for last.
Regardless of where you start, structure and commitment are going to pave the way for an efficient packing journey. Starting from a particular place doesn’t matter much as long as you start on time and have a set vision of how you want to continue packing. Not having a definite plan and approach means that you’re at risk of halting the process at any time and sabotaging the entire move as a process.
Labels are always a good idea.
Regardless of how excellent your memory might be, there is always the risk of mixing things where a move is concerned. Since boxes are essentially all similar-looking, you can misplace a lot of things, a grave mistake when the time to load it all during the moving day comes around. Fragile items especially need to be labeled as such to avoid damage and disaster later on.
Labeling is also a great technique for packing because it will make it easier for you to unpack later on. You won’t have to put boxes down randomly and then scout which ones hold items for which rooms. It will also make it far more convenient for movers to know where to place which load and then for you to take it from there. Efficient packing is important because it makes all the difference in the settling-in process too.
Opt for great packing material.
Opting for cheaper boxes and packing material is not a good idea. There’s always the chance that they’re going to betray you by ripping apart during a move and having your belonging spilled everywhere and damaged too. You don’t have to spend large amounts of money for good packing material and can instead simply ask acquaintances and storekeepers for them completely free of cost.
Just make sure you’re picking the right quality material that can hold and store your belongings safely and spaciously too. One of the major rules of efficient packing for a move is to make sure everything is stored and sealed as safely as possible, which can only be done when the right kind of packing material is used.
Avoid getting sentimental.
One of the greatest packing mistakes arises from the tendency to reminisce while deciding whether certain items go in and out. If you rely too much on your heart’s decisions, you’ll find it impossible to get rid of anything useless from the pile of your belongings. This is a disastrous outcome because it means a greater load to pack and spending more money to carry it around.
You’ll also be at the risk of over-packing, which will ultimately taint the unpacking process too. Instead of being ready to settle into your new home, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a clutter of trash. Remember that efficient packing means making reasonable decisions too.
Also Read: Tips for Ensuring a Seamless and Safe Move When Children Are Involved