Packing Checklist For Moving

In our self-moving checklist article, we spoke about how stressful moving can be and how much time it takes. But, we didn’t mention how difficult it is to pack and the most efficient way to do it.

And that’s what we want to do today.

In this article, we’ll be talking you through a packing checklist for moving that will make your relocating journey a lot easier. 

If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, don’t go anywhere as we break down the steps. Before I get into how to pack down each room, I first want to give you some tips for packing so you can get the job done more efficiently:

Packing Tips For Moving House

In this section, I will give you some of my top tips for how to pack your stuff that will make your life easier in the long run.

So, let’s take a look at them:

1. Use The Right Size Boxes

One of the most important things about making your items in boxes is knowing which boxes to use for the job.

Let’s say you have a bookshelf full of books that need packing away. Most people will tend to try and fit them all in one box. 

The problem is:

You don’t realize how heavy the box is going to be until you try and move it. And that’s why you have to play it smart.

You should put anything heavy in smaller boxes, so it never feels overloaded. You can place anything light, such as clothes or sheets, into larger containers.

Understanding this rule will help save your back when you’re moving!

2. Pack Similar Items Together

When you start mixing items, it can make it extremely difficult to pack and unpack. Not only that, but it can make it extremely difficult to find things quickly when you have to. 

3. Label Each Box By Contents And Room

This will help the people moving your boxes know where each box needs to go and what’s in it. Not only that, but it will you keep track of what you’re moving and where it needs to be unpacked.

You can quickly note everything by keeping a small notebook of everything you’ve packed by numbering the boxes.

4. Never Leave Empty Spaces In Boxes

Loosely packed boxes are easy to damage, and the contents inside can get messed up. And that’s why movers tend to refuse to move boxes that don’t feel like they’ve been packed correctly.

To avoid anything being left behind, it’s a good idea to fill the empty spaces with clothes, towels, packing paper, or even clothes.

5. Put Heavy Items At The Bottom And Lighter Items On Top

If you put heavy things on top of light things, your boxes will be highly unbalanced, making it harder to move items. 

To increase balance, you need to pack the heavier items at the bottom of the box. Doing this will make it a lot easier to move your stuff.

6. Pack Your TV Correctly 

Most movers treat TVs like any other piece of furniture, but this isn’t good if you’ve got an expensive plasma screen TV.

If you don’t have the original box anymore, your best bet is to pack the TV in a wooden crate specially designed for shipping.

7. Tape All Your Boxes Well

If you don’t tape your boxes correctly, you risk everything falling out of the bottom. Make sure you use a couple of pieces on the top and bottom of the box. Then you can use the mover’s technique of wrapping the box’s edges to secure the stress areas.

8. Use The right Techniques To Move Art

If you have expensive art, the chances are you don’t want to ruin it by moving. This is why it’s beneficial to learn how to move art correctly to help keep it safe.

If you’re trying to transport oil paintings, you mustn’t wrap them with paper; it will stick and destroy the artwork.

If you’re unsure about the packing process, you should get a professional to pack it for you.

The Supplies You Need To Start Packing

Okay, so you have our top tips for packing more efficiently, but before moving on to your packing checklist, what equipment do you need?

Well, in this section I’m going to explain everything you need for packing your house:

1. Bubble wrap/Packing Paper: When you pack your stuff, you need something that will keep your fragile items safe. The two items mentioned above are excellent for this job. You can find these supplies in department stores, or you can get them from the Facebook marketplace.
2. Boxes:  Finding boxes isn’t as hard as it seems. Some supermarkets will give them out for free if you ask. If that fails, you can ask friends or family if they have any you can have. And finally, you can go to moving stores, which usually have some that you can buy.
3. Strong Tape: Once you’ve got your boxes, you need to tape them correctly with strong tape. You can get this from stationery stores or department stores.
4. Dolly: Carrying a lot of boxes is hard work, so why not make your life easier by getting a dolly. And if you have a lot of stairs to travel, you can even get a stair climbing dolly.

Having the right equipment with you can make your moving experience a lot smoother, so make sure you have everything you need before you get started.

How To Pack Room-By-Room

The easiest way to organize your packing is to go room-by-room. It helps you keep track of your possessions and makes unpacking easier.

In this section, we’re going to go room-by-room to give you our tips for packing more efficiently:

Kitchen 

1. Make sure you defrost the refrigerator at least 48 hours before moving.
2. Use sectioned boxes to pack away your glass.
3. Seal your refrigerated good in a cooler.
4. Pack away all your appliances, and make sure you remove the blades and wrap them. You can also tape the leads, so they don’t get tangled.
5. Wrap your plates in wrapping paper or bubble wrap to keep them safe when they’re packed.
6. Put your dry goods in containers or tape the seals to stop everything from falling out.

Living Room

1. Pack your furniture before you start packing boxes. You should also remove the legs from your couch to make it easier to move.
2. Pack away mirrors and artwork ready for transportation.
3. Remove the lightbulbs and lampshades from your lamps. 
4. Place your books, CDs, and DVDs in boxes; just make sure you don’t make them too heavy.
5. Secure all your electronics and wrap them in blankets and remove them from their bases.
6. Organize all your cables and wrap them in tape to stop them from tangling.

Bedrooms

1. Organize your jewelry and place them in a safe container ready for packing.
2. Place all your bedding and pillows in trash bags to keep the dust off and pack them in boxes.
3. Pack away all your clothing into suitcases or boxes and pack away your hangers in a safe place.
4. Cover your mattress to make sure your mattress is well protected from the elements during your move.

Dining Room

1. Secure your kitchen table by taking the legs off and wrapping it in a blanket to stop it from sliding around it.
2. Pack down the chairs by removing the legs (if possible) and place them in labeled boxes.
3. Roll up your rug in rope to keep it safe while you are transporting it.
4. Pack down all your decorations by wrapping any of the glass or ceramics in paper or bubble wrap. 

Garage/Shed

1. Pack away your tools and put them in a tool chest. Anything like saws and hammers wrap them up in cloth and then put them in boxes.
2. Pack away any lawn furniture and put them in boxes and trash bags.
3. Drain any items that require gas, which includes grills and lawnmowers to make them safe for transport.
4. Deflate pool toys and put them into boxes to make them easier to transport.
5. Pack down your bike or put them in the back of your car/SUV.

Laundry Room

1. Unplug and disconnect your washer and dryer ready for transporting. You should also wrap up the cables, so they don’t drag across the floor.
2. Box up your detergents and fabric softeners but make sure everything is tightly secured to avoid leakages.

Bathroom   

1.  Pack away your toiletries together to make them easier to unpack when you get to your new place.
2. Pack away all your towels, toilet papers, and whatever else is left in your bathroom.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, packing your stuff ready for moving isn’t as stressful as people think. It’s just about making a plan and having the time to execute the move.

The key to all of this is to stay calm, it will take some time, and you may have some bumps in the road, but you can do it!