Our Expert Guide to Smart & Stress-Free Packing

Packing your home shouldn’t be stressful. Whether you hire our professional packers or decide to do it yourself, a strategic approach will make life much easier at your destination. With our expert guidelines, you can reduce the inconvenience of living with boxes at your feet and set yourself up for a smooth unpacking experience.

How much time do you need? For a large house, we recommend starting at least one month in advance, aiming for a few boxes a day. For smaller homes and apartments, a minimum of two weeks is a good rule of thumb.

Your 8-Step Packing Strategy

1. Create a Master Plan: Plan out your packing room by room. Identify deadlines, estimate the number of boxes needed for each space, and note any challenges.
2. Declutter First: Moving is the perfect time to let things go. Identify what won’t be traveling with you and can be donated, sold, or disposed of well ahead of time.
3. Set Aside Essentials: Designate a box or bag for items you’ll need on moving day and immediately upon arrival. Don’t pack these!
4. Label Everything: Clearly label every box with its destination room and a brief list of contents. Mark “FRAGILE” on any boxes with delicate items.
5. Don’t Overfill Boxes: Keep boxes at a manageable weight (under 40 lbs is ideal). Overfilled boxes are a common cause of accidents and damage.
6. Secure Valuables: Decide how you will personally manage valuables, important documents, and sentimental items. These should always travel with you, not in the moving truck.
7. Plan for Custom Crating: If you have large, fragile, or high-value items (like art or marble tabletops) that require custom crates, arrange this with your moving consultant well in advance.
8. Stop Buying Groceries: A week before your move, start using up the food in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to minimize what needs to be moved or thrown away.

Gathering Your Packing Supplies

• High-Quality Boxes: Use sturdy, professional-grade moving boxes in various sizes. Small boxes for heavy items (books), and large boxes for light items (linens).
• Packing Tape: Use strong, wide packing tape to securely seal the top and bottom of every box.
• Labeling Tools: Keep permanent markers and sticky labels handy. Consider using colored stickers to color-code boxes by room for easy identification.
• Protective Materials: Gather packing paper, bubble wrap, or moving blankets to protect fragile items and fill empty spaces in boxes.

The Unpacking Process: A Strategic Approach

Once you’ve arrived, a smart unpacking strategy can turn a chaotic house into a comfortable home in no time.

Day 1: The Essentials

• Direct Your Movers: Have a floor plan or a clear idea of where you want your main furniture pieces to go. This saves you from moving heavy items later.
• Start with the “Essentials Box”: Unpack your moving day suitcase and essentials box first to access toiletries, medications, and chargers.
• Set Up the Kitchen: Focus on the basics. Plug in major appliances, wipe down counters, and unpack enough dishes, cutlery, and cookware for your first meal.
• Make the Beds: After a long day of moving, a comfortable bed is non-negotiable. Unpack bed linens and pillows for everyone to ensure a good night’s sleep.
• Prepare the Bathrooms: Unpack towels, soap, and toiletries for each bathroom to make the first morning rush as smooth as possible.

The First Week: Settling In

• Set Up a Relaxation Zone: Unpack the TV or a laptop and unwrap the living room furniture. Creating a space where everyone can relax together after a long day is a huge morale booster.
• Tackle Closets: Clean and line closets before unpacking clothing and linens. This is also the perfect time to install any new shelving or organizers.
• Make It Feel Like Home: Hang a few pictures and family photos. These small touches can instantly make a new space feel familiar and comforting.
• Break Down Boxes As You Go: To avoid being overwhelmed by clutter, immediately break down and flatten empty boxes. This clears space and gives you a sense of progress.