When you begin to pack up your belongings before moving to a new residence, you should probably keep in mind that packing is a process that deserves patience and foresight. Far too often, people procrastinate and leave the packing until the last minute, which can result in lost or damaged belongings. A little planning goes a long way. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to pack first when moving to a new place.
Prepare and Plan
Before you even place one item into a box, you’ll need to diligently prepare for the move ahead. It’s recommended that you make a packing calendar to keep you on pace. Breaking down your move day by day will likely help you fight off the feeling of being overwhelmed, so schedule things out. Also, make sure you’ve got plenty of moving and packing supplies: boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and any other cushioning material like packing peanuts and plastic wrap.
Next, take a detailed inventory of the items you own. Use this opportunity to throw out non-essential items and save valuable space and effort. Divide your items into a category that you’ll be keeping, a category for things to be sold/donated, and a category of things that must be thrown out. Once you’ve got a good look at what you’re dealing with, you’re ready to tackle the issue of what to pack first when moving.
Next, take a detailed inventory of the items you own. Use this opportunity to throw out non-essential items and save valuable space and effort. Divide your items into a category that you’ll be keeping, a category for things to be sold/donated, and a category of things that must be thrown out. Once you’ve got a good look at what you’re dealing with, you’re ready to tackle the issue of what to pack first when moving.
Start Early
Remember, you should have a calendar to dictate your schedule. If you’re not pre-packing, starting with minor items roughly four weeks ahead of your move, you could already be falling behind. Start packing non-essential things at this time, making sure to save the absolute daily necessities until late in the packing game. Here’s a better breakdown of what to pack, and when to pack it.
Three to Four Weeks To Go
Out-of-season items: Holiday decorations and clothing
Surplus items: Linens, towels, and office supplies that aren’t currently in use
Collectibles: Scrapbooks, figurines, miniatures, art, coin collections, etc.
Artwork and Decor: Framed pictures, souvenirs, heirlooms. Proceed with caution, as these are often fragile
Entertainment Items: Books, CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, video game discs and consoles
Special Kitchenware: Fine china and crystal, mostly, but also pie pans, barbecue tools, and any other kitchen items that do not see routine use.
Surplus items: Linens, towels, and office supplies that aren’t currently in use
Collectibles: Scrapbooks, figurines, miniatures, art, coin collections, etc.
Artwork and Decor: Framed pictures, souvenirs, heirlooms. Proceed with caution, as these are often fragile
Entertainment Items: Books, CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, video game discs and consoles
Special Kitchenware: Fine china and crystal, mostly, but also pie pans, barbecue tools, and any other kitchen items that do not see routine use.
Two Weeks To Go
Children’s items: Pack any remaining puzzles, stuffed animals, etc. that haven’t already been put away. Let children pick a few toys that they can have out right up until moving day
Jewelry: Keep a few pieces on your person and secure the rest in a jewelry box
Linen Closet: Every resident should have a small set of sheets and towels still in use. The rest should be packed around this time.
Jewelry: Keep a few pieces on your person and secure the rest in a jewelry box
Linen Closet: Every resident should have a small set of sheets and towels still in use. The rest should be packed around this time.
One Week To Go
Electronics: Make sure no device gets left behind – phone, computers, tablets, etc.
Kitchen Equipment: The rest of your kitchen should now be ready to go, including cutlery, dishes, and drinking glasses.
Laundry: Make sure you have enough clean clothes just to get where you’re going. it’s going to slow you down if you have bags of dirty laundry.
Medicines and Bathroom Supplies: Pack up everything that isn’t a daily or emergency prescription, and make a first aid kit that can be carried around.
Kitchen Equipment: The rest of your kitchen should now be ready to go, including cutlery, dishes, and drinking glasses.
Laundry: Make sure you have enough clean clothes just to get where you’re going. it’s going to slow you down if you have bags of dirty laundry.
Medicines and Bathroom Supplies: Pack up everything that isn’t a daily or emergency prescription, and make a first aid kit that can be carried around.
1-2 Days To Go
Furniture and Appliances: This is not exactly a simple part of the moving process. Just be careful when moving furniture through tight corridors and down stairs.
Curtains, Rugs, Other Furnishings: The “miscellaneous” category
Toolbox: Make sure you have basic tools where you can reach them, as you’ll probably need them for assembly jobs at your new place
Curtains, Rugs, Other Furnishings: The “miscellaneous” category
Toolbox: Make sure you have basic tools where you can reach them, as you’ll probably need them for assembly jobs at your new place
Moving Day
Bed and Bedding: You haven’t been sleeping on the floor this whole time, right? Regardless, it’s now time to transport your bed and sheets.
Remaining Toiletries and Medicines: Just to be prepared.
Items for Children and Pets (Including Snacks): It’s important that children feel like they’re getting back into a daily routine quickly after the upheaval of moving.
Cleaning Supplies: It’s entirely possible that you’ll have to clean up your place one last time before you leave.
Remaining Toiletries and Medicines: Just to be prepared.
Items for Children and Pets (Including Snacks): It’s important that children feel like they’re getting back into a daily routine quickly after the upheaval of moving.
Cleaning Supplies: It’s entirely possible that you’ll have to clean up your place one last time before you leave.
Following an organized schedule will ensure that your move can be low stress, and nothing will be forgotten. Happy moving!
