Any time a move takes place, there seems to be equal parts of excitement and stress swirling around the experience. One of the more daunting tasks faced by homeowners is that of packing their book collection. Books are often heavy, sometimes fragile, and if not packed correctly, they can be damaged or cause damage to other items during the move. That’s why, as one of Sydney’s most trusted removal companies, we wanted to share our top 6 tips on how to pack books when moving to a new home or apartment.
Make Sorting a Priority
Before you start packing, it’s always a good idea to sort them first. Go through your bookshelves and decide which books you want to keep. Consider selling or donating books that no longer hold your interest. Not only will this cut down on the amount of packing you have to do, but it will also make your move more cost-effective…and that is always a good thing.
Gather Packing Supplies
Once you have decided which books to keep, it’s time to gather packing materials. You will need:
- Sturdy cardboard boxes: You can purchase boxes from a moving supply store or get free ones from a grocery store. Make sure the boxes are in good condition and sturdy enough to hold the weight of the books.
- Packing tape: Use packing tape to seal the boxes securely.
- Bubble wrap or packing paper: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect your books from damage during the move.
- Markers: Use markers to label your boxes with the contents and room in your new home where the box belongs.
Time to Pack
When packing your books, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do yourself or your movers a favor and pack books in smaller boxes. Books are heavy, so it’s better to pack them in smaller boxes that can hold the weight. Large boxes filled with books can become too heavy to lift or can break during the move.
- Pack books tightly to prevent them from shifting during transport. You can use bubble wrap, packing paper, or newspaper to fill any empty spaces between the books and the box edges.
- Group books by size and weight to make the packing process easier. Place heavier books at the bottom of the box and stack lighter ones on top.
- Pack hardcover books vertically with the spine of the book resting at the bottom of the box. This will prevent the pages from bending and the spine from getting damaged.
- Paperback books should be packed horizontally with the spine facing up.
- Any collectible, antique, or valuable books should be packed separately in their own box. It’s always a good idea to wrap them individually in bubble wrap to provide an extra layer of protection, and you may want to transport this box yourself in your car rather than put it in the moving van.
Don’t Forget to Label
After packing your books, don’t forget to label each box. Include the contents of each box and the room where it belongs. This will make unpacking in your new home infinitely easier.
Load With Care
It bears repeating that boxes packed with books can be heavy…like, really heavy. If you are moving boxes yourself, remember to lift with your knees rather than bending over and lifting with your back to avoid injury.
When loading the boxes onto the moving truck, avoid stacking heavy boxes on top of lighter ones, as this can damage the books. Load the boxes onto the truck carefully, making sure they are secure and won’t shift during transportation.
Unpack in Your New Home
Once the move is complete, it’s time to unpack your books. Keep in mind that unpacking is going to take some time, so only open and unpack one box before moving onto another…you can sort and organise later. By taking time and unpacking with care, you can avoid causing any unintentional damage.
Time to Organise
Organising unpacked books on your bookshelves can be surprisingly fun. Consider grouping them by genre or author, or get trendy and organise them according to color. Not only will your bookshelves look Pinterest-worthy, but it will also make it easier to find any book you’re looking for.
There’s no denying that packing up books requires planning and care, but it is possible to ensure your publications make the move safely.
And, if you’re looking for a reliable team of removalists who can pack and transport your books and other belongings with care, contact us at Holloway Removals. Our team of experts is waiting to create your custom quote.
Make your move the right way…with Holloway.
