When it comes to moving house, the dreaded ordeal of packing is often a thought that can overwhelm even the most level-headed individuals. Not knowing where to begin and how to pack can usually delay people from starting the process, causing a last-minute mad dash to get it all done. However, packing doesn’t have to be the hair-pulling task that it is believed to be. Here to dispel the stressful packing myth and navigate you through an easy pack and move, this simple ‘how to’ guide includes all the tips and tricks you will need so that your relocation is a simple one.
Where to start?
Declutter
Throughout our time in any space, we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff that no longer serves a purpose. The first step to success in packing for a move is to get rid of all the items you no longer need or want. That boxset collection of The Big Bang Theory you impulse bought in 2016, despite not owning a DVD player - that can probably go. The four-in-one at-home foot spa you’ve had for 7 years and only used twice - it may be time to part ways. The shell collection that you started on your 10th birthday trip - well no question, it’s staying.
There are so many ways to give new life to the belongings that have been collecting dust in your home for far too long. Whether donating to charity, selling online or simply placing in storage for a rainy day (the shell collection obviously), creating space before packing can help in many ways. As well as mentally preparing yourself for the packing that’s to come, a pre-pack declutter reduces the amount of said “stuff” you have to wade through when it finally comes to unpacking.
Packing Material
A pretty self-explanatory step of packing is purchasing all your packing materials beforehand. Aim to purchase your packing supplies at least a month before you pack so that if you find yourself coming up short, you still have plenty of time to purchase more materials. Speak with your local removalists before heading to high-street stores as they will be able to advise on what to buy and provide you with high-quality packing supplies that keep your belongings safe. The main things you will need to buy beforehand are:
- Sturdy boxes of various sizes
- Lots of packing tape
- Bubble wrap and packing paper for the more fragile item
- Big labels and marker pens
The Pack
What room should you pack first in a move?
Once you have accumulated all the packing materials you require and decluttered your space, it’s time to start packing and knowing where to start can be half the problem. To avoid overcomplicating the process, it’s best to start at the top and work your way down. Theoretically, what this means is starting with the room that is least-used like a loft and then working your way down to the more essential rooms such as the kitchen and living room. By packing room to room you save yourself the time and confusion of forgetting what has been packed in each room.
What room takes the longest to pack?
Rooms such as the kitchen or the living room will generally take the longest to work through, due to the amount of items in them. Putting aside more time to pack these rooms will help when it comes to planning your moving timeline. Alternatively, choosing removalists that pack for you can help ensure that each room is packed properly and efficiently. This will undoubtedly save you time and effort, particularly when it comes to the more difficult rooms.
So, can you pack a whole house in 3 days?
With such busy lives, it's easy to get caught up and push back the packing to a later date. However, this generally leads to the realisation that it’s three days before the removalists arrive and you’ve got a stack of flat boxes and not a single family member free to help. The stress and panic that come with packing at the last minute is the main reason that we suggest starting to pack your home at least two weeks in advance. By doing this you can slowly work through each room in your spare time and take your time labelling and organising the boxes.
However, understanding that not all people have the luxury of being able to take weeks to pack up a home, it is certainly possible to do it in just a few days. The best way to pack quickly is by organising a packing and removal service to take care of the job. With their expert knowledge and plenty of experience, packing professionals can efficiently and effectively pack your home on a quick turnaround.
The Tips & Tricks
If you also want to know how to pack your home like a pro here are a few tips and tricks to take into your own packing:
- Use smaller boxes for heavier items to avoid overfilling large boxes and causing breakages
- Go big on labels - Make your labels as clear as possible and colour code labels to indicate which room they belong to
- If packing as a family/team, allocate jobs to each person so that there is no confusion on responsibilities, arguing wastes time
- Invest in high-quality packing materials and supplies
- Disassemble large furniture but keep together bolts and screws etc
- Avoid mixing boxes with things from different rooms or it will get confusing when unpacking
The Unpack
Hopefully, after following this guide to packing, when it comes to unpacking, the process should be a little easier. Before getting too comfortable and calling it quits for the day, one of the main tasks you want to do right away is make sure all your boxes are in the right rooms. That way before anything starts to unpack, everything is in its allocated space which avoids losing items through the unpacking process. Once everything is in the right place you can begin to unpack your belongings, starting with the essentials and working your way out.
However, we know that after a long and tiresome day, normally the last thing anyone wants to do is unpack. That’s where professional removalists can really work their magic. Offering both packing and unpacking services, your removalist team will set up your rooms so that you can put your feet up and relax in your new home.
Trust the Process
Hopefully, after reading this you have started to come to the conclusion that packing is not quite the stressful experience you once thought it was. By giving yourself plenty of time to prepare and bringing in the experts to help, packing up your home to move can be the hassle-free experience you hoped for.
