What to Pack First When Moving?
Moving to a new place is filled with challenges, adventures, careful planning, and organization. Packing for a move can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure where to start. If you're asking, "What to pack first when moving?" you're not alone. Prioritizing your packing ensures a smoother moving experience and saves you from last-minute stress. This guide will walk you through what to pack first and how long before moving should you start packing for a successful move.
How Long Before Moving Should You Start Packing?
The size of your home and the number of belongings you own determine the time you need to start packing. The general idea is to pack 4-6 weeks before your moving date. Moving out gives you an apt chance to declutter your home and organize without feeling rushed. Start with the things that you require daily and won't be needed immediately after the move. A general moving timeline could be
Declutter and pack seasonal items 4-6 weeks before moving.
Pack clothing and fragile items 3 weeks before moving.
Essentials and high traffic areas 1 week before packing
Last minute essentials 2-3 days before moving.
What To Pack First When Moving Out for the first time?
When deciding what to pack first when moving out for the first time, start with items you don't use every day. A good rule of thumb is to focus on things you can pack a month before moving, like out-of-season clothes, holiday decorations, extra bedding, or rarely used kitchenware. Here's a simple packing and moving checklist to help you stay organized and reduce stress as moving day approaches.
Start With the Stuff in Storage
If you're unsure where to begin packing, start with items you don't use every day, such as those stored in your basement or garage. Begin by organizing and safely storing holiday decorations, unused furniture, gift-wrapping supplies, and gardening tools. Need ideas on how to keep your seasonal decor safe until next year? Check out this guide on how to store holiday decorations for smart storage tips.
Tips For Packing Items in Storage
You know what to pack first - but how do you keep everything safe and organized? Here's how to pack the easy way:
Use strong boxes so they don't break or crush in storage.
Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap to protect them from damage.
Fill gaps in boxes with towels or paper so things don't move around.
Label each box with what's inside and the room it belongs to.
Put heavy boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top to avoid damage.
Move to Out-of-Season Clothes
The next step in your moving packing list is to pack out-of-season clothes. Just like properly storing your seasonal holiday decor, keeping your winter clothes organized matters too. If you're packing coats, bulky sweaters, or other cold-weather gear, use vacuum-sealed storage bags to save space in boxes or suitcases. Opt for medium or small-sized boxes so they're easier to lift and move. For more ways to protect your wardrobe during a move, check out this helpful guide on how to store winter clothes.
Wrap Up the Fragile Items
The next in the packing checklist for moving is packing fragile items. Your fine china and glass dishes come under the fragile items and not your daily dishes. Start carefully packing up the fragile items and your glassware. Pack them up with high-quality packing materials and label the boxes clearly with "FRAGILE."
Wrap Up the Books and Artwork
Next in your moving checklist is packing fragile items like fine china and glassware - those special pieces you don't use every day. Start by gathering strong packing supplies: sturdy boxes, bubble wrap or foam sheets, and extra cushioning. Wrap each item carefully, fill extra space in the box, and seal it securely. Don't forget to label each box clearly with "FRAGILE." For a step-by-step guide to protect your delicate items and reduce moving-day stress, check out urBin's helpful article on how to pack fragile items for moving.
Wrap Up the Books and Artwork
When it comes to what I should pack first when moving, books and artwork occupy the higher spot. The reason being, it undoubtedly makes your home look beautiful, but they are not the necessities in everyday life. So, you can pack them earlier. Store your comic books and other books in small containers so that it becomes easy to lift them. Wondering about fine art storage? You can store your loved paintings in the fine arts storage in NYC where they will be safe and secured.
Start Packing Toys or Toy Box
It's different to move if you are living with kids or pets. You have to go through all the toys and toy boxes to figure out what's actually worth moving and what could be sold or donated. The best hack here is to pack the toys when your kids are away. Because you best know what is good for them and what not.
Storing the toys in their original boxes is the perfect tip here. Disassemble the larger toys made up of multiple parts before packing, such as dollhouses, tents, and playsets. And if you have a pet, say a dog, get some ideas on dog toy storage and prevent any kind of damage during the move.
Pack Your Shoe Pairs
- Shoes take up more space than you can imagine. Some shoe storage hacks to follow here are - wrap your shoes in packing paper and then put them in shoe boxes, and fill the spaces inside with the cushioning roll for extra protection. These tips will help you pack your shoes properly.
Leave the Kitchen for Last (2-3 Days Out)
The kitchen is the room that you should pack at last because it is the space that is being used right up until the moving day. It is one of the most challenging spaces to pack. You have to clean the cabinets, declutter the drawers, and whatnot.
When you start packing the kitchen, start with those items that you will need in the first few days after your move. Then, pack glassware and stemware carefully in the boxes, especially those meant for fragile kitchen items. Pack them up in bubble wrap, and use additional packing around the edges of the box to prevent any kind of movement.
Gather Important Documents and Valuables
Before packing up rooms, set aside your passports, IDs, medical records, jewelry, and other valuables. Pack them in a secure folder or box and keep them with you during the move to prevent loss or damage.
How to Speed Up the Packing Process for a Move?
We have discussed what to pack first when moving and how to expedite the packing process. Let's find out -
Suppose you have a month to move out. How would you divide that in terms of packing the items to move -
Start week 1 by packing out-of-season clothing.
Week 2 should be focused on disassembling unused furniture, packing the goods that aren't of immediate need, and packing up the bedrooms, living room and dining room.
Pack kitchen and other items except for the things for an immediate need to your moving day in week 3.
Load up the essentials in week 4 and get ready to move.
Final Thoughts
What should I pack first when moving doesn't have to be a hassle. Start early and prioritize the items strategically to make the process efficient and stress-free. Remember to focus on non-essentials first, leaving the most-used items for last. Whether you're packing fragile heirlooms or everyday essentials, planning is key to a successful move.
Moving can sometimes mean needing extra storage space. That'sThat's where urBin comes in! With secure, climate-controlled storage solutions, urBin helps keep your belongings safe until you're ready to settle in. Whether you're storing seasonal decorations, artwork, or furniture, our facilities offer the perfect solution. Visit urBin today to learn how we can help make your moving experience seamless! Or Contact us to know more.