Moving can feel overwhelming, much like having a baby or getting a divorce. But, planning well makes packing less scary. Our guide shows you what to pack first when moving for a smooth move.
Begin 4-5 weeks before your move by packing rarely used items. Start with things in storage, such as holiday decorations and sports gear. This reduces clutter and helps decide what to keep or toss. Now’s the time for a what to pack first when moving checklist to stay organized.
Then, pack out-of-season clothes using vacuum-sealed bags. This saves space. Do this step 4-5 weeks out to keep your life organized as moving day gets closer.
Early on, about 3-4 weeks before, pack fragile items like fine china. Packing these items early reduces worry as the big day nears. By carefully packing early, you ease many moving stresses.
Decluttering: The First Step in Your Moving Process
When wondering what to move first, start with decluttering. This step makes packing easier and reduces what you need to move. It cuts down stress and cost. A study found that we don’t use about 25% of our stuff at home.
Almost 30% of moving stress is because of too much stuff. It’s key to start packing by getting rid of unneeded items. You can sell, donate, or throw them away. About 15% of people donate items when they move, mostly to nonprofits.
One in three Americans worry about how much they own. Decluttering helps ease this worry, making moving easier. In fact, 35% who decluttered said their move was smoother.
First things to pack when moving: Homes with fewer things are easier to clean after moving, by about 20%. Since people move around 11.4 times in their lives, saving time is important.
Think about decluttering these things:
- Extra clothing
- Unused kitchen utensils
- Old household items
Get family involved in choosing what to keep. Most people let go of 20-25% of their things before moving. This helps you feel better mentally and physically.
Let’s compare some decluttering benefits:
| Benefit | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Reduced Moving Costs | 30% less volume can decrease costs by up to 20% |
| Increased Mental Well-being | 78% feel relief after decluttering |
| Improved Organization | 75% agree labeling boxes helps efficiency |
| Less Cleaning Time | 20% decrease in post-move cleaning time |
Starting with decluttering is smart when planning a move. It lowers costs and boosts well-being. By focusing on packing what matters, moving becomes easier and less stressful.
What to Pack First When Moving
What should you pack first when moving: Knowing what to pack first when moving makes the process easier. It’s smart to organize early to avoid stress. Start packing at least four weeks before you move.
First, pack things you don’t use every day. This includes seasonal decorations, clothes not in season, and items in garages or basements. These are things you won’t need right away.
Pack kitchen items early too. Waiting too long can cause chaos, making you eat out more. Sort and pack unnecessary dishes and appliances a few weeks before moving.
Next, sort and pack electronics, books, and media. Many bookshelves hold books we seldom read. So, pack those early but keep chargers and kids’ comfort items out.
Last, pack toiletries and important papers. Make sure they’re easy to get to on moving day. Pack a moving day bag with medicine, snacks, and kids’ items to reduce stress. Using a checklist helps keep things under control.
| Category | First to Pack | Last to Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Out-of-season clothes | Everyday wear |
| Rooms | Garage, Guest Room, Basement | Bedrooms, Kitchen |
| Items | Holiday decorations, unused furniture | Essential toiletries, important documents |
What to pack up first when moving: Since moving is stressful for many, knowing what to pack first helps. A checklist can make the move feel more manageable.
Handling Fragile and Decorative Items
Moving delicate home decor needs careful handling. This includes items like glassware, ornaments, and fine china. Following our best tips can greatly reduce the chance of damage.
Start packing early to lower stress and improve organization. Put all fragile items together and wrap them well. Bubble wrap and padded materials keep your items safe.
Choose strong boxes and label them “Fragile” on several sides. This makes it easier to know what’s inside and handle with care. Proper labeling helps organize your move and saves time unpacking at your new place.
Avoid packing boxes too heavy, especially with fragile kitchen items or collectibles. Gather all your packing supplies ahead of time. This way, you’re ready and can dodge any last-minute issues.
Think about using clothes, linens, or towels instead of traditional packing materials. They can protect just as well and help you save on costs. A well-organized move makes the experience smoother.
Packing Seasonal Items and Clothing
Getting ready for a move means packing stuff you won’t need right away. Moving is super stressful, even more than having a baby or getting divorced. So, it helps to pack seasonal items and clothes in an organized way.
Vacuum-sealed bags come in handy for big items like winter coats and save lots of space. Make sure to label your boxes by season. This makes unpacking in your new home a breeze. Also, look at the weather forecast for your move. This lets you know which clothes you can pack without any hassle.
Packing seasonal decorations needs attention but pays off. Since decorations are often the last things you need, pack them first. This makes your packing neater. Also, buying strong boxes and padding is smart. Around 40% of people moving find their fragile items broken due to bad packing.
- Use vacuum-sealed bags for bulky clothing.
- Label boxes by season for easier unpacking.
- Check weather forecasts to decide on packing clothes.
Start packing one room at a time, experts say. This cuts down chaos and helps you throw out stuff you don’t need. You can get rid of about 25-35% of your things. This makes the move lighter and simpler.
Here are some tips for packing seasonal stuff. These tips keep your stuff organized and safe while you move:
| Item | Best Practice | Feasibility |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Clothes | Use vacuum-sealed bags to reduce volume. | High |
| Ornaments | Pack first using sturdy boxes and adequate padding. | High |
| Summer Gear | Store in labeled boxes for quick identification. | Medium |
| Outdoor Equipment | Clean thoroughly before packing to prevent dirt transfer. | High |
In the end, organizing your move starts with packing non-essential items. Then, move on to things you use less often. This way, the move goes smoothly and stays stress-free. It keeps you from making common mistakes like forgetting to label or needing more boxes than expected.
Preparing Specialty Kitchen Items and Fine China
When moving, packing kitchen items, especially special ones and fine china, needs careful planning. You’ll need strong boxes, enough padding, and clear labels to lower the risk of damage.
To start, collect these materials: five small boxes, ten medium ones, five large ones, and three extra-large boxes. You’ll also need about three rolls of packing paper, weighing four to five pounds.
- Glassware: Use dividers in boxes and wrap each glass on its own. Keep them upright for more safety.
- Plates: Place in groups of four sideways, with paper around each one.
- Pots and Pans: Put smaller pots inside larger ones with paper in between. Wrap glass lids and put them with the pots or on their own.
- Flatware: Wrap the tray in plastic wrap tightly and place it in a box lying flat.
- Knives: Wrap each knife in packing paper and secure it with a rubber band and a dish towel.
- Spices: Keep spices in a small box, wrapping any glass jars with paper.
- Fine China: Wrap each piece with packing paper and then bubble wrap. Pack them in strong, double-walled boxes to lessen the risk of breaking by up to 50%.
- Cushion Material: Put cushioning material in boxes for a 3-inch barrier that absorbs shocks. Foam pouches and cell dividers can also help keep things safe and make packing easier.
- Labeling: Write “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” clearly on boxes to reduce mishandling by up to 60%.
Also, think about going through your pantry items and throwing away any that are expired. Keep only what’s still good to make moving smoother. Setting up a good packing area can make the job almost 50% faster and less overwhelming.
Here’s a guide to refer to:
| Item | Packing Method | Materials Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Glassware | Standalone, Upright | Specialty Dividers, Packing Paper |
| Plates | Groups of 4, Horizontal | Packing Paper |
| Pots and Pans | Nesting | Packing Paper |
| Flatware | Flat in Box | Plastic Wrap |
| Knives | Wrapped Individually | Packing Paper, Rubber Bands, Dish Towels |
| Spices | Small Box | Packing Paper |
Remember, the right preparation makes a big difference when packing kitchen items for moving. By following these tips, your special items and fine china will safely arrive at your new home.
Managing Books, Toys, and Collectibles
Planning is key when packing books for a move. Start 2-3 months before to sort your collection. Decide what to pack, donate, or sell.
Pack books in small boxes because they’re heavy. An average home has 150-200 books, weighing a lot. Spread out the weight to avoid injury and ease the move.
What to move first when moving: Organizing toys for a move also needs a plan. Kids might have 70-100 toys, with many not being used. Getting rid of unused toys by donating or selling can greatly reduce clutter.
About 65% of people moving donate items. A garage sale could bring in $200 to $400. This helps both financially and frees up space.
Collectibles are tricky because they’re valuable and special. About 26% of homes have collectibles like toys and books. To keep them safe, make a list and pack them carefully.
The collectible toy market is worth around $20 billion. This shows the importance of handling these items with care during a move.
About 40% of people moving don’t track what they pack. This could result in lost items. Also, 45% say unpacking takes over a week.
Books and collectibles are usually unpacked last because they’re valuable and fragile. Start early and plan well to avoid delays in your move.
Starting early and following these tips can make moving less stressful. Packing books and toys with care keeps your valuable items safe.
Final Steps: Bedding, Essentials, and Last-Minute Items
What to pack first when moving: We’re nearing the end of our move, so it’s key to pack bedding, essentials, and things we need at the last minute. Around 70% of people find checklists very helpful for a well-organized move. It’s good to keep things like sheets, towels, and toiletries where you can get to them easily. Packing your bedding is easier if you use bags that suck the air out. This saves a lot of room and makes the job less hard.
Packing a bag for the first night in your new place is a great idea. This helps about 65% of families keep important stuff close without having to unpack everything right away. In this bag, put things you’ll need like dishes, your toothbrush, and clothes for sleeping. It helps make the first night easier.
When it’s almost moving day, think about what food and cleaning stuff you need to pack last. Ninety percent of people moving say these should be the final things. This way, food won’t go bad, and you can leave your old place clean. Keep important papers, valuable things, and items for fun, like games, in a special box that’s easy to find. Seventy-five percent of movers stress keeping these important items safe. This makes moving less stressful.
