So, you have a new place picked out and your move is scheduled.
Now, it’s time to tackle the packing process. But where do you start?
You know that somehow, in some way, you will pack the entirety of your house. But many find diving in to be the most difficult part.
However, with a few deep breaths, and a handy plan, you’ll be packed up and on the move in no time.
Here are a few tips to help you figure out where to begin in the infamous packing process!
Downsize, declutter, donate
The first thing you should do when you decide to move is purge your belongings. Go through those dusty storage areas and pull the boxes out from under the bed.
- Pro Tip: If you don’t need it, and haven’t used it in the past 1-3 years, toss it or donate it.
By decluttering your home, you will make packing so much easier on yourself. You won’t be moving things you don’t need, and you won’t have to find a place for those miscellaneous items in your new home, which will make for a mess-free space.
Call your local charities to ask about pick-up for donations and sell any furniture you won’t need in your new space.
If you’re downsizing your home, then this step will be very important for you! Don’t try to fit a three-bedroom home into a two-bedroom apartment.
We have a few more tips on how to expertly declutter your clutter on our blog!
Pack your off-season items
Once you’ve decluttered your home, you can actually get started on the packing.
Get equipped with the necessary moving supplies, including boxes, wrapping paper or bubble wrap, and tape. If you’re not sure which room to pack first, choose your most infrequently used room, like your attic, storage area or basement.
Chances are, these spaces contain sporting goods, tools, and other things that you only need on a seasonal basis. If you won’t need them between now and your move, then they’re safe to pack.
You can also pack up seasonal items in your closets:
- Winter blankets
- Flannel sheets
- Seasonal clothing that you won’t use for a while
Just remember to label everything clearly so that unpacking isn’t a mess!
Tackle your fragile items next
You’ll want to take some extra time with these delicate items to ensure that everything is properly wrapped; they’re not the ideal last-minute items that you can toss in a box!
Empty out your china cabinets and only keep out what you’ll need to eat for the next couple of days or weeks. Things like large serving platters, seasonal dishes, and bakeware that you don’t use regularly can get boxed up.
Then start in on your décor
Next up: your home décor.
Wrap up all your picture frames, wall decorations, and other knick-knacks that you have around your home. You won’t be needing those old souvenirs until you’re ready to unpack and decorate your new home, so tick those items off the packing list early!
Artwork and any collectibles that are valuable should be packed with care; if you have pieces that you’d worry about damaging in the move, pack them up and leave them with a friend or family member ahead of the move. This way, even though your moving insurance would cover a replacement, you won’t have to deal with losing something that’s sentimental and valuable to you. (The same goes for your jewelry!)
Pack bedrooms & closets
Your bedrooms are a tricky area to pack because you’ll want to make sure you leave enough of your essentials behind for you to get by until your move-in date. This includes:
- Toiletries
- Clothes and pajamas
- Sheets
- Blankets
- Pillows
Everything else in your bedroom is fair game and can get packed up.
Items like shoes and handbags tend to take up a lot of space, but aren’t super difficult to pack—so, when it’s time to start in on your closet, don’t be discouraged!
If you want to keep your clothing on the hangers, simply use a trash bag and a zip tie to pack everything up. Zip tie the hangers together in 5-10 hanger clumps, and then slide a trash bag over the clothing to keep it clean.
You can even leave it hanging in your closet until the day of the move!
The moral of the story is that all you need to do to get started, is to start! And before you know it, it’s moving day and you’re ready to go.
If you would rather leave the packing and heavy-lifting to professionals, then give Highland Moving & Storage Vancouver a call at 604-581-2300. We’re ready to make your local or long-distance move a breeze and can provide you with a quote for our exceptional packing or moving services in Vancouver today!
