While it’s not everyone’s favorite pastime, packing up your belongings from your old place is the first necessary step you’ll need to take before you can kick up your feet at your new place. Luckily, we’ve compiled some packing tips to help make your move that much smoother. Here are 8 pointers to keep in mind when you can no longer avoid packing.
1. Toss Things You Don’t Need
Moving is the perfect time to cleanse your life of all the things you don’t need (shout out to Marie Kondo and her method). Those jeans you haven’t put on since 2006? Donate them. The pan that sprinkles your scrambled eggs with Teflon? Throw it in the trash. Downsizing is the single best way to make your packing and move easier, especially if you’re moving into a smaller space.
A number of organizations will accept up your items, so schedule a free donation pickup or drive it all down to your local Goodwill. Make a little money by selling furniture, appliances, electronics, and more on websites like Offer Up and Let Go. Don’t spend time packing clothing no one is going to wear again; throw your ripped sweaters and stained t-shirts in the trash.
2. Save Money on Boxes
Yes, you can buy moving boxes – they’re uniform and brand new – but they can be an unnecessary purchase, especially if you’re just going to throw them out once you settle into your new place. Instead, stop by a nearby grocery store and ask if you can have a few; you’ll be doing them a favor and saving some money. Warehouse-style stores such as Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s are also good places to snag free, larger moving boxes.
3. Put the Right Items in the Right Boxes
Have you ever tried moving a large cardboard box full of textbooks? If you haven’t, just be warned: it’s not fun. You’ll likely have to take some stuff out before you’re able to carry it to the moving truck, your car, or up a flight of stairs at your new place. Instead, fill smaller boxes with your heavier items to make transporting them easier. Reserve your big boxes for bedding sets, pillows, towels, and other lightweight items that are easier to carry in bulk.
4. Pack Smart
Being smart about the way you pack your belongings is a great way to reduce stress when the time comes to open up those boxes and unpack. Here are a few smart packing tips:
- Sort your belongings by category instead of packing them by room. For example, gather all your toiletries from the bathroom, bedroom, and closet, and pack them all together. By packing categorically, you’ll be able to find what you need when you need it without ripping open a bunch of boxes all labeled “Bathroom”.
- To avoid spills, unscrew the lid on toiletries, place saran wrap or a plastic bag over the top, then screw the lid back on. No more surprise leaks from a face wash or shampoo bottle.
- Pack your dishes vertically instead of horizontally and you won’t have to use as much newspaper and bubble wrap. Plus, it’ll be more space efficient.
- Dismantle any furniture so it’s easier to transport between apartments. You can only pivot so much on a narrow staircase.
- Do not fill drawers and cabinets with items. Although you might think you’re saving space, your furniture will be heavier and more difficult to move.
5. Take Pictures of Your Electronics
Take a peek at the way your electronics are currently set up–from your TV to your speakers to your internet router. Take pictures of the back of all these setups so you won’t have to mess around trying to figure out what to plug into where. Pictures of the cords and plugs will allow you to connect your electronics quickly and – most importantly – correctly.
6. Pack Necessities in One Container
Cleaning supplies, phone chargers, and other things that you’ll need right away should be easily accessible. Store them in a clear plastic container so that you can see them and get them whenever they’re needed without having to search.
It’s also a good idea to pack a bag with a change of clothes, toiletries, and anything else you may need the first night in your new place. Although it may sound trite, this is one of the main things people forget to do when moving.
7. Enlist an Army of Helpers
Moving is a lot easier (and more fun) if you have help. Call on friends and family members to help you pack, load, and unload. It’s a lot cheaper than a moving company. Delegate tasks to ensure that things get done quickly and efficiently. One friend can be responsible for cleaning the bathrooms. Someone else can take care of setting up the kitchen, and a few lucky ones can handle all the heavy lifting. Pay them in pizza and beer and you’ll save a good amount of money; plus, you’ll forever have this bonding experience.
8. Snap Pictures Before Move-Out
While it’s not exactly a packing tip, we still recommend you take pictures of the entire house or apartment once you’ve packed everything up and the rooms are nearly empty. Make sure to get close-ups of the walls and floors. Although we may inadvertently create a few dings and scuffs while moving, it’s likely that there were already some existing marks on the walls or gouges in the hardwood floor.
Taking pictures before you’re completely moved out will make it easier to prove that you didn’t cause any damage, especially if you’ve taken pictures before move-in that shows the previous damages. With photographic proof, you’ll be more likely to get your security deposit back when you’re ready to move out and into your new apartment.
While packing isn’t anyone’s favorite way to spend a weekend, it means that an exciting move is right around the corner. Find your new apartment and use these packing tips to make your next move an easy one.
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