When organizing just about anything, whether it be miscellaneous items in an attic or groceries in a fridge, strategizing is paramount. There are a number of factors that you’ll have to take into account in order to maximize efficiency of this potentially laborious task.
The same mindset can be applied to moving. Packing and organizing your boxes of belongings prior to and during the move can be time-consuming. While moving, you will want to efficiently make use of your time as it pertains to your boxes. Follow these six simple steps on how to pack boxes for moving:
1. Set a Realistic Timeframe
Just the mere thought of packing up every one of your possessions into boxes can be rather nerve-wracking. It is at this point where you have to tell yourself not to panic! Rome wasn’t built in a day, but packing up your properties into boxes can be if given enough strategizing. It is critical that you set time-related goals prior to the move.
Organization is key for how to pack boxes for moving. Create a schedule if need be, one that illustrates which belongings will go into what type of box. Make the schedule as meticulous as possible; organize belongings according to room and ensure the appropriate boxes are already placed in its respective room before packing. Pre-emptively organizing the mental portion of packing will ensure the physical part goes as smoothly as possible!
2. Declutter Your Belongings
Before the actual moving day, you’ll want to bid a genuine goodbye to possessions that no longer serve any purpose. Many people hoard their belongings because of a legitimate emotional connection attached to them. In order to maximize space and efficiency, discard these items when possible.
You’ll only want to pack the most important of your items into boxes so that the moving trip goes as effortlessly as it possibly can. Trying to squeeze a few of your old VHS cassette tapes into boxes that could be used for other essentials isn’t viable. Time is of the essence, as is the amount of available space in your boxes.
3. Start with the Necessities First
Every room in your residence will have essentials that are used on a day-to-day basis, along with items that are important, but interacted with less. The fundamentals should be packed into boxes first and put aside until the day of the actual move or a few days before. This is because once you get to your new residence, you’ll have easy access to your most important items during the unpacking process.
The other less important items can be stored in their respective boxes, and put away until you decide to unpack. These items can range from books to dishes, all of which are things that you won’t need immediate access to on the move-in day.
4. Consider the Weight
When packing begins, you’ll want to also organize your items into their respective boxes according to their weight. This is done to ensure that all items can be safely stored as much as they possibly can. Heavier belongings, once put into their appropriate boxes, will be placed at the bottom. Lighter items will go on top
In addition, depending on the proportion of your box, most should not weigh more than what you can carry. If you want to set an actual weight limit, use thirty pounds as a safe measure. Boxes that weigh significantly higher can pose a significant risk during transport. You don’t want to arrive at your new home and find items toppled over each other or even crushed completely!
5. Buy Packing Supplies
Once all of your items have been accounted for, you’ll want to ensure they are transported as safely as possible. As such, you should get your hands on some sturdy moving boxes and packaging supplies that reinforce the safeguarding of your possessions. This is done just in case the moving trip turns into a bumpy ride. Most supply stores or post offices will provide you with what is needed for your boxes.
These materials usually include items such as packing peanuts, packing tape, bubble wrap and a marker to designate which items are stored inside. Don’t just assume that you can transport your boxes from point A to point B and have everything remain intact. You are always better safe than sorry, especially as it relates to your fragile belongings.
6. Unpack
Once you have arrived at your destination, the task of unpacking commences. If most of these steps have been followed, you’ll discover that it is a much more simplified process. The boxes containing your basic necessities will be easily accessible in your moving truck, for example. Once you’ve unpacked your day one fundamentals, proceed to transport the remaining boxes indoors and empty accordingly. Time to put your inner interior designer to work when organizing which possessions will go where!
The entire process of moving can be a stressful one. However, when it comes to properly packing your items into boxes, it is critical that you don’t view it as a burden. The best way to accomplish this initial job is to give yourself plenty of time. This will give you the energy you need to handle other tasks, so that the moving procedure can be as straightforward as humanly possible!
