13 Top Packing Tips For Moving

Moving house and need to pack up all your stuff? Here are 13 top packing tips for moving house to make your life easier.

Packing up your home when moving house can be time consuming, so you need to plan ahead and pace yourself. Start packing as soon as you know you are definitely moving. For some people this could be two months in advance, but it's never too early to start!

Make sure you've decluttered your home first. The last thing you want is to be packing up a whole bunch of items you don't actually need and bringing a load of clutter to your new home. 

We'll cover 13 top packing tips for moving: 

1. Order suitable boxes and materials
2. Assemble the boxes correctly 
3. Pack in a logical order
4. Protect your items in the boxes
5. Don't make the boxes too heavy
6. Label the boxes clearly
7. Keep an inventory as you go
8.  Keep your moving day essentials box and documents separate
9. Re-assess your packaging materials
10. Make use of existing suitcases and storage boxes
11. Make use of the removals company (if you're using one)
12. Remember to pace yourself
13. Put essential items on the removals van last

This post is all about top packing tips for moving. 

1. Order suitable boxes and materials

Order good packing materials, as this will make the task much easier and prevent boxes falling apart and items breaking. 

Double-walled cardboard boxes

One of the best packing tips for moving is to get double-walled cardboard boxes. These are sturdy and suitable for stacking. Single-wall boxes are not suitable for stacking and will crush easily if anything is placed on top.

You can also order triple-walled boxes but this would be for very delicate items or a specific purpose. Double-walled should be suitable for most household packing. 

There are many sizes and variety of packing boxes to choose from, such as small double-walled book boxes for heavier items. The standard moving boxes size is  500 mm (height) x 450 mm x 450 mm and usually not more than 20 kilos inside.

Wardrobe boxes

Wardrobe boxes are usually supplied by the removals company on the day. You will lift your clothes out of the wardrobes (still on their hangers) and put them into the wardrobe boxes on a rail.

The whole wardrobe boxes are then put straight into the removals van, which makes it very easy to lift out your clothes and put them straight on the rail in your new home. The removals team then take the wardrobe boxes away to be used on the next job.

You can also buy your own wardrobe boxes, but these can be expensive so sometimes it's easier just to rely on the removals company. 

Other packaging material

• Moving Boxes – different sizes
• Packing tape (vinyl tape)
• Bubble wrap
• Tissue paper
• Labels
• Fragile stickers
• Colour code stickers
• Marker pen
• Scissors
• Pen and paper to make inventory (if not using digital product)

Tissue paper and bubble wrap are usually essential to line the boxes and to wrap around each item to protect them. They act as a buffer so items do not touch each other and cause damage.

There are many different types of packing tape, but the best tape to use for packing boxes in vinyl tape rather than polypropylene tape. Vinyl tape is stronger and thicker, which means it can withstand more tension.  It is also more resistant to temperature extremes and tearable by hand which is very useful.

Be clear with the removals company

If you use a removals company, they usually only supply two sizes of boxes- the standard moving boxes and book boxes. Let them know if you need different sizes. 

Keep in mind that most people just use the boxes for the duration of their move and then they want to get rid of them.  Usually the removals company will come a few days after everything has been unpacked in the new home to take away the boxes and recycle them. Remember to confirm this with them too!

2. Assemble the boxes correctly

Once your boxes arrive, you will have to assemble them, as they usually come flat-packed. This is a quick and easy process. Simply...

• Open the box out. There are 4 flaps at the top and 4 at the bottom
  
  
• Choose which end will be the base. Some boxes have arrows saying 'this way up'
  
  
• Close the 2 small flaps first followed by the 2 longer flaps to form the base of the box
  
  
• Seal the base of the box using vinyl tape
  • Start by putting tape half way down one side of the box and then bring it over the bottom of the box (along the joining line where the two longer flaps meet) and continue to half way up the other side of the box
  • Repeat this again
  • Put strips of tape across the bottom of the box around 8cm away from each edge so it forms an H shape on the bottom of the box
    
    
• Smooth the tape over with you hand to make sure it is stuck down well

Line your boxes with bubble wrap or tissue paper. Alternatively, if you have sheets, blankets, cushions or pillows, these can also be used to protect items in the boxes.

Elevate a box on a sturdy chair to save you bending down each time you're packing. 

3. Pack in a logical order

Make a plan

Make a quick plan of which rooms you will pack up each day, so you stay on track and are working through your house in a logical way. E.g. Tuesday - pack up main bedroom, Wednesday- kid's playroom.

Pack up items that you use on a daily basis (i.e. toiletries) last and keep a separate moving day essentials box (see below).

Boxes for each room

Pack items from the same room (or cupboard or draw) into one box.  This makes it so much easier when unpacking in your new home,  as you will have all the items for the drawer/cupboard in the same box. 

Avoid putting items from different rooms in the same box, as it will become harder to find stuff. You also don't want your muddy shoes being packed alongside your clean kitchen appliances, so it's best to keep thing separate !

Heavy items first

Place the heavier, larger or bulkier item(s) in the box first and then the smaller items around it/on top. This will help prevent damage and your lighter items getting crushed. 

Keep cables separate and take pictures

Don't shove cables along with heavy items as they can get squished and damaged. Put them in a separate box. Take pictures of where the cables go in the back of your electrical appliances, so you know where to plug them in when you're in your new home.

4. Protect your items in the boxes 

Extra care with fragile items

Depending on how fragile the item is, wrap it with bubble wrap or multiple layers of tissue paper to protect it. 

Remember, do NOT have items in the box moving about and knocking against other items. Fill any spaces in the box with more tissue paper or a cushion so that everything stays in place.

Keep liquids separate

Do not put liquids in with clothes, cloth or soft furnishings. Any liquids should be kept together in a separate box and labelled 'liquids' so the removal’s team or you can remember which boxes contain liquid items.  These will need to be stacked carefully, especially when transporting.

Storage items

If any of your items in the boxes are going to be stored for a period of time, put some moth repellent items in there or protect delicate items (e.g woollens or cashmere) in separate protector bags before putting them in the box.

Closing boxes

When the box is full: 

• Put some extra layers of bubble wrap on top (or a cushion or blanket) to cover the box
• Close the box by folding the two smaller flaps first, followed by the larger flaps
•  Seal the box closed with vinyl tape. Make an H shape with the tape.

5. Don't make the boxes too heavy

Avoid making the boxes too heavy, as the removals team will have to carry them, probably up and down stairs. You also risk the box splitting and damaging your possessions.

If you can only get one or two items in a box (i.e. if they're particularly large or delicate with a lot of packaging), then that's ok. You might be able to get a lot more into other boxes without making it too heavy.

6. Label the boxes clearly

Label your boxes clearly, so everyone knows where the delicate items are and which rooms the boxes belong in. This is super important !

• Put a label on all 4 sides of the boxes saying which room it belongs to. Do not put the labels on the top or bottom of the box (you won't be able to see it when the boxes are stacked)
• Colour code the labels for each room to make it easier i.e put a red label on all boxes for the kitchen and also number them (so you know how many for each room)
• Use FRAGILE stickers on the boxes for any particularly fragile items.
• Put arrows on the boxes (meaning this way up) if items in the box needs to be kept upright

7. Keep an inventory as you go

Another one of the key packing tips for moving is to make a list of everything that is in each box and take pictures just in case anything goes wrong and you need to use your insurance. 

8. Keep your moving day essentials box and important documents separate

Keep a couple boxes separate from the rest of your packing that you'll need straight away when you move into your new home. Don't forget to keep any important documents/valuables with you too (i.e. passport) rather than shoving them in a random box. 

Moving Day Essential Items

• Kettle
• Tea
• Coffee
• Milk
• Sugar
• Biscuits/snacks
• Disposable cups/stirrers/plates/bowls
• Cutlery
• Kitchen roll/napkins
• Disposable gloves
• Carrier bags
• First aid kit
• Water/cold drinks
• Cleaning materials: cleaning cloth and detergent
• Wet wipes
• Towel
• Blanket
• Torches

Personal Box

• Medicines
• Glasses/Contact Lenses
• Keys
• Handbag
• Phones/laptops/chargers
• Notebook and pen/diary
• Paperwork for the move (i.e removal contract/invoice/solicitors details/estate agents details)
• Passports/driving licences/ valuables 
• Important documents – insurance, birth certificates, identification etc.
• Coat/shoes/gloves/scarves/hats (depending on time of year)
• Bed sheets
• Pyjamas and underwear
• Change of clothes-t-shirt/jeans
• Toiletries- toothbrush/toothpaste/soap

9. Re-assess your packaging materials

Re-assess your packing materials as you go. You may initially underestimate how much you actually need. That's why it's essential to start early, as if you do need extra, you'll have time to order it. 

10. Make use of suitcases and existing storage boxes

You may already have some handy boxes at home that can be used for packing up. Plastic stackable storage boxes are very useful and of course reusable. You can stack your every day items in these boxes in their home, so they're suitable for clothes, toys, books etc.

However, be careful if you are offered old moving boxes to re-use. Check that they are still sturdy and stackable, as they may have lost their sturdiness overtime. 

11. Make use of the removals company (if you're using one)

Clothes and books are usually straightforward to pack, but the real challenge comes in the kitchen with appliances and electrical items.

The removals company usually offer a packing service and they are real experts at what they're doing!  You'll be amazed at how quickly they are able to wrap, pack and seal a box. You'll pick up a few packing tips for moving just by observing. 

If you are going to pack the kitchen yourself, just make sure you have plenty of bubble wrap and tissue paper, and not to overload the boxes.

12. Remember to pace yourself

Packing is seriously hard work. It can be very tiring and take longer than expected. Take regular breaks and give yourself plenty of time. Once you know for sure that you're moving, make a start (even if it's just 15 mins a day). 

Try and avoid leaving it all to the last minute, as this is never any fun and you'll be relieved you started early when you look back. 

13. Put essential items on the removals van last

The boxes put last in the removals van will be the first ones out, so put your moving day essentials box and personal box in last, and any other items you'd like to use straight away. 

This post was all about 13 top packing tips for moving. 

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