Four packing tips for your house move
Use smaller boxes for heavy items, label by room and contents, and keep a separate bag for the first night. Here’s how to pack before moving day.
Start with what you use least
Pack seasonal clothes, spare bedding, books and decorations first. Work through one room at a time so you can see what is finished. Leave everyday dishes and clothes until you can do without them.
Set aside anything that stays with you before sealing boxes. A passport or prescription is easy to lose track of once it is packed with everything else.
Match the box to the contents
Use small boxes for books and other dense items. Save larger boxes for lighter things such as bedding. Check the bottom seams and corners before filling a used box, and keep within any weight limit printed on it.
Wrap breakable items separately and fill empty space so the contents cannot shift. A box marked “fragile” still needs suitable packing inside. Ask for help with glass, artwork or unusually shaped pieces before choosing a box.
Write more than “bedroom” on the box
Put the destination room and a short description on the top and a side. For example: “Upstairs bedroom — sheets and pillows — open first.” If there are several bedrooms, use names or numbers that match signs on the doors.
Keep removed furniture hardware in a labeled bag with the matching piece. Photograph your own cable connections before unplugging them.
Keep your first-night bag out of the truck
Pack medication, keys, documents, chargers, toiletries and a change of clothes in a bag that travels with you. Add bedding and the few kitchen items you will need before unpacking.
Put the bag in your car or a clearly marked area before the crew arrives. Tell the movers which belongings are staying with you.