Packing up your home is one of the most important parts of moving house – yet it’s a task that many people put off until the last minute! Getting started early will make all the difference and take lots of stress out of your house move, so we recommend starting to pack weeks or even months before the big day.
At Essex Removals, we understand that moving house can be an overwhelming time. Your to-do list might just feel never-ending, so we’re here to make it easier for you. Here’s our simple but comprehensive packing guide to make moving house much less stressful.
Start early!
We’ve touched on this already, but it cannot be understated: start packing your house early! You might look around and think you don’t have much to box up, but once you get started, you’ll realise you own more than you initially thought. This is especially true if you own a large house with lots of storage, including an attic and maybe a garage.
If you can, start the packing process a few months before you move. Doing so will give you time to declutter your home and pack methodically, rather than panicking and throwing everything into boxes without a second thought.
Declutter your home
When packing up your home, the first thing you should do is get rid of anything that doesn’t need to go to your new house. Decluttering before you start packing means you won’t waste time, energy or money on transporting items that have no use to you. It may seem like a boring job, but it’s also one of the most important!
The best part is you can declutter gradually; there’s no need to do it all in one go if you have a busy schedule or work full-time. Start by dedicating a few hours on the weekend and ticking off each room as you go. Make sure you’re prepared with plenty of bin bags – and don’t forget to recycle as much as you can!
Send as many used items to charity as possible
If you can, set aside the items you no longer need but are still in good condition and donate them to charity. This is a much more environmentally-friendly way of decluttering your home than simply throwing everything into bags and binning them.
Another option is to sell any possessions that are still in great working order! Check your attic, garage and any cupboards or drawers for clothes, gym equipment, kitchen appliances, furniture or anything else that you might be able to sell second-hand.
Use self-storage solutions
Once you’ve disposed of or donated any items that you no longer want, you may end up with a third category of unused goods: those that can be put into storage. If you’ve come across belongings that you want to keep but don’t have space for currently, find local self-storage services that are equipped to keep them safe and secure until you need them again.
Using self-storage can also help to stagger your move. This is ideal for people who can’t face the thought of transporting every item they own in one day! If this sounds like you, consider putting some of your furniture and any belongings you don’t need access to immediately into storage. Once you are more settled, you can collect them and finish unpacking your home.
Write a packing to-do list
Once your home is free from clutter, it’s time to start boxing up the remainder of your belongings. First, spend time writing a comprehensive packing to-do list with an inventory of your most valuable possessions.
Start this process by walking around your house and scanning each room. Make a list of everything you can see, including pieces of furniture, equipment, wall art and anything you have stored away in cupboards and drawers.
A packing to-do list can help for two main reasons. Firstly, a list will help you figure out what packing materials you need to buy and how long it might take you to box everything up. Secondly, you can use this list as an inventory when you move into your new house! This will give you peace of mind that all of your items have been transported safely.
Buy sturdy packing supplies
You can’t start packing without the right supplies! Buying your packing supplies before you begin is highly recommended, as this means you won’t be left with piles of unboxed items as you scramble to find more materials. We’d also recommend buying your packing materials from a trusted removals company, as this is the easiest way to make sure you’re using the best quality supplies.
When you buy your materials from a removals company, you can also double-check that you’ve bought everything you need. They will likely supply everything from cardboard boxes to packing tape and bubble wrap to make packing up your house much quicker and easier.
Start packing up the rooms you use least often
When packing up your home, it’s always best to start with the rooms you use least often and work your way around. You’ll still need to use your kitchen and bathroom up until the day you move, so leave these rooms last and prioritise guest bedrooms, second bathrooms and your attic.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make a start on your most-used rooms in the weeks leading up to the big day. You are likely to have lots of items in your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen that could be packed away, so just make sure to leave out the belongings you use regularly.
Think of it this way: if you haven’t used an item in the past week, consider packing it into a box. You don’t need to seal your boxes until the last minute, so you can always retrieve items if you have to.
Separate your boxes according to rooms
It might be tempting to categorise your boxes according to product types (e.g. books or soft furnishings) however, this is likely to confuse you when you arrive at your new home. Instead, set aside boxes for every room in the house. This way, you’ll be able to start unpacking as soon as you arrive at your new home, instead of having to find items that are spread across multiple different boxes.
We also recommend labelling your boxes clearly. Make it obvious where each box needs to go once you arrive at your new home, and consider writing a general list of their contents. You’ll likely have multiple boxes for each room, so a short description will help to differentiate between them.
Your labels could look something like this:
Kitchen box 1: Toaster, kettle and cutlery.
Kitchen box 2: Dish towels, oven gloves and recipe books.
You get the idea!
Pack carefully and methodically
Instead of stuffing items into boxes without a plan, spend time packing every item methodically. This will protect your belongings in transit, make it easier for your removalists to load and unload the boxes and take the stress out of unpacking when you arrive at your new property.
Packing carefully means:
- Using the correct packing materials for each item
- Folding or rolling any soft furnishings, clothes and towels
- Wrapping valuable or fragile items in bubble wrap
- Putting the heaviest items at the bottom of each box
- Making sure the boxes aren’t too heavy to lift and carry
- Using all available space (e.g. by filling gaps with newspaper) to stop your belongings from moving around.
If you would prefer to use the services of a professional, contact us at Essex Removals to enquire about our packing services. We understand that there’s more to packing up a house than throwing items into a box and offer a range of services to help customers throughout Essex simplify this part of the process.
Pack an essentials box
When you first arrive at your new house after a tiresome day of sealing boxes, saying goodbye to your neighbours and driving to your new property, there’s nothing you’ll want more than to stick the kettle on and change into some cosier clothes! Make this easier for yourself by putting together an essentials box full of the items you’ll need once your removalists have finished up and you’re finally ready to start settling in.
Your essentials box, which we recommend taking in your vehicle so it’s always by your side, should contain a mixture of comfortable and practical items. Some of the items you might want to consider include:
- A kettle with mugs, coffee and milk
- Towels, toilet rolls, shower gel and toothpaste
- A set of pyjamas and bedding
- Phone chargers and any other electronic devices you need, such as your work laptop
- Batteries, torches and a first-aid kit.
For more inspiration, ask friends and family who have recently moved what they would recommend filling your box with!
Moving house? Trust Essex Removals to take care of your packing and moving needs
Whether you’re moving across the street or overseas, you needn’t look further than Essex Removals for experienced removalists you can rely on. We offer reliable, convenient and affordable removals, packing and self-storage services to clients based in Essex and beyond, with a team of friendly and professional removalists on hand to take the weight of moving off your shoulders.
To learn more about our moving services or for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
