Twelve packing tips for a stress-free move

You absolutely cannot pack easily unless your apartment contains only the things you intend to take with you to your new apartment. Start at least a month out from moving day and do a little bit each day or every few days, sorting things into categories including: sell, donate, give away, and recycle. Leave everything else to be packed.

Once you know what you’d like to bring with you, add each item to an Excel or Google Sheets document. Create a column to write the number of the box the item is packed in so it’s easy to find everything later. Try to pack things from the same rooms in the same boxes.

Keep up the slow but steady progress you began when you were purging by doing one box a day or every couple of days. Of course, start with the items you won’t need between now and the move, like the opposite season’s clothing or rarely used kitchen appliances.

Instead of buying supplies like bubble wrap or moving boxes, ask friends or prowl Craigslist for recycled cardboard boxes and pack your items in your own suitcases, bags, and drawers. You can also use linens and clothing to cushion fragile items like dishes.

There are some supplies you don’t want to find yourself without, like packing tape and moving blankets. Make sure you know what you need and have it before moving day, when professional movers or friends might be lending (or selling) you their time.

Don’t fill an enormous box with heavy things like books or your KitchenAid mixer because it will become too heavy to carry. Keep the small boxes for those items and use a big box for linens and other lighter items. And inside the box, always place the heavy items on the bottom, light items on top.

Unscrew the lids, place the plastic wrap over the opening, and screw the lids back on. Voila!

if you’re using professional movers. Ask them for a full list of prohibited items, but this normally includes things like: 

• Aerosols

• Nail polish and acetone remover

• Fertilizer

• Liquid bleach

• Pesticides

• Batteries

• Matches

This makes it less likely that plates and bowls will break. Cups can be placed inside the box standing up. Pack with extra care, making sure you use lots of packing material—packing paper works great for dish boxes—and that there is padding between any given two dishes so they don’t scratch, chip, or break.

If you’re taking apart furniture or unhooking cables, take photos of how you had them in the old place as a guide to how to put them together in the new place. While you’re at it, if you’re using a moving company, take pictures of all your stuff in case there’s accidental damage to your items or something goes missing.

Coordinate with your new landlord to see if you can do a walkthrough before you move in. Check to make sure the landlord has painted, fixed any holes in the walls or cracks in the grout, and cleaned. This will give you a chance to request any services (and be prepared that you may have to deep clean the place yourself).

When you first get to the new place, you’re not going to be able to tear apart all the boxes and find each individual thing you need. Pack a tote or small suitcase with the following essentials inside:

• A roll of toilet paper

• Toiletries including toothbrush and toothpaste

• Pajamas

• One change of clothes

• Phone charger

• Medications

• Something easy for breakfast like instant coffee and granola bars

• A toolbox for assembling furniture

Now that you have these moving tips in your pocket, you can breathe a little easier and get started. Just take it step by step and remember, just do a little bit each day until it’s done! 

Want a moving experience that’s hassle-free? Bungalow shared homes are designed to save you time and money when you move in. Wifi, utilities, and monthly cleaning are set up before you move in so that communal living is seamless. Find a Bungalow near you.