10 Tips for Packing Smartly for a Move

Buying or selling a home is an exciting—but stressful—milestone. For some, the most daunting part is packing and moving. But proper planning and a solid packing strategy can ease the task. These 10 practical tips will help. You’ve got this!

Plan

1. Schedule adequate time.

Depending on the size of your home, packing up everything you own can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The estimated time based on your current home size:

• Studio/1 bedroom: 1–3 days
• 2 bedrooms: 3–5 days
• 3 bedrooms: A week or more
• 4+ bedrooms: Two weeks or more

2. Get new boxes and packing equipment.

Using new materials like packing foam and bubble wrap (instead of using old rags and newspapers) reduces the potential for allergens being tracked into your new home.

3. Watch packing videos.

There’s nothing more inspiring or motivating than watching creators who are passionate about packing. Use search terms like “decluttering before a move” and “packing tips for moves,” and choose the best of what you see.

4. Hire professionals.

Your friends and family are busy. They’re not answering your texts. Pros make the process easier and reduce the chance that precious items will be damaged. Many movers also provide boxes and packing materials. Some things are just worth the money. (Moving companies urge customers to book well in advance, especially during the busy summer season.)

Pack

5. Start with the essentials.

You know those items you’d likely grab first in case of disaster—photo albums, important documents, passports, birth certificates, diplomas, baby’s first lock of hair? Pack them first—and take them to your new home yourself if possible.

6. Purge.

Moving into a new home is the perfect time to declutter and start fresh in every room. If it doesn’t fit, physically or aesthetically, in your new home, get rid of it. HouseLogic also recommends Donna Smallin Kuper’s “$20 in 20 minutes” rule: If you can replace it for less than $20 and in under 20 minutes, don’t spend money to have it moved.

7. Make two piles and two passes.

Go through each room and make a NO pile: all the items that are NOT going to your new home. You’re going to toss, donate or sell these items. The second is the YES pile: items that you will take to your new home. Pack those items in the second pass.

8. Go from least to most.

Pack up the least-used rooms first and pat yourself on the back. Leave the kitchen, bedding and main bathroom for last.

9. Pack small.

Unless you’re a professional weightlifter, use smaller boxes or containers that you can comfortably lift. The heavier the items being packed, the smaller the box should be. Lighter items can go into larger boxes. Your back will thank you.

10. Label, label, label.

Don’t be afraid to write the great American novel—on the packed boxes, that is. Basic information should include the room in your new home where the box should be placed; what items the box contains; and whether there are items that need to be unpacked immediately.

Bonus tip:

A smart unpacking strategy is important, too. Have a box cutter or scissors at the ready and work methodically, emptying one box at a time, putting everything from that box away, and breaking down the box before moving on to the next one.

Source: NAR Consumer Guides