As you prepare to move somewhere new, one of the most daunting tasks involved with the process is packing. Ask anyone who has moved even once before, and they’ll all probably feel the same way – packing is tedious, time-consuming, and generally overwhelming. Is there any method to make packing easier? How can you turn packing into something less stressful? The good news is it’s possible to make packing feel like less of a hassle, and it doesn’t take too much extra effort to figure it out. If you’re looking for strategies to pack your belongings for a residential move, look no further. Check out our eight tips and tricks below!

1. Declutter first

Before you pack anything, start yourself on the right foot with a thorough declutter of your home. By completing a declutter first, you effectively cut down the amount of items you need to pack, saving time and energy. Plus, you will also benefit from having more space in your home for the items you actually want and need. Separate your items into four categories: donate, sell, trash, and keep. The more you’re able to get rid of, the better. If you’re on the fence with an item, ask yourself if you’ve used it in the past few months or if you plan to use it in the next few. If the answer is no to both of those questions, you can more realistically determine if it’s something you need to hold on to.

2. Get the right materials

When you’re getting ready to pack your belongings, you’ll want to make sure you have all the right supplies to successfully pack and protect your items. First, ensure you have appropriately sized boxes for your belongings. It’s typically best to have your boxes be all the same size so you can more easily stack them in the moving truck or storage unit. This way, they fit together more concisely without wasting any space. Although the majority of your boxes should be the same size, it’s also beneficial to have a few smaller and a few larger ones. Smaller boxes are especially useful as you can put some of your tinier items inside, then put that in your regular boxes. This can keep things from getting damaged.

In addition to boxes, you will also want to have packing tape, permanent markers, bubble wrap, packing paper, and moving blankets available to you. The protective items are extra important, as they will prevent your items from jostling around and getting damaged in transit. Make sure you have enough of all these materials so you don’t run out in the middle of packing.

3. Repurpose what you own

Although the protective materials previously mentioned are great to have, you can also use what you already have to keep everything safe and sound. Soft, cushy items like towels, blankets, and sweaters can offer as much protection as something like bubble wrap, and it allows you to repurpose what you’d already be packing to bring with you anyway. You can also use newspapers in place of actual packing paper. Other than the protective items, you can repurpose things like suitcases and laundry baskets to hold your belongings. Minimizing empty space is an easy way to pack more effectively and fit more into a moving truck.

4. Pack room by room

The most efficient way to pack your home is one room at a time. Not only does this method allow you to break the process down into more manageable chunks, but it also keeps everything properly sorted. If you put items from more than one room in the same box, it can become confusing as you unpack, making your belongings difficult to find and sort. Instead, go room to room, starting in any corner of your home and then moving along in an organized sequence. It’s also important to give yourself ample time to complete each room by starting in advance and doing a little bit each day, rather than rushing to get everything done at once. This can keep you much more organized.

5. Minimize empty space

As you fill your boxes, it’s best to have as little empty space as you possibly can. However, this does not mean to fill each box to the brim with any items. As you do this, you should be mindful of the box’s weight to make sure they don’t become too heavy to lift comfortably, which can also increase the risk of the bottom of the box breaking open when you lift it. Instead of just throwing items inside to fill the box, try to find lightweight things to put in empty spaces. This can be packing paper, towels, or any other light item that can fill the remaining space effectively.

6. Label effectively

Labeling your boxes is a crucial part of the packing process. Of course, each box should list the room it corresponds to so you can easily bring the box to the correct room once you arrive at your new residence. It’s also best to go a step further and include as much detail as you can, instead of just the room. Although this may feel significantly more time-consuming, it will end up saving you a lot of time when you unpack. You can also use shorthand (just as long as you can understand it) to quicken the process while still reaping the benefits of thorough labeling. Additionally, be mindful to include the labels on more than one side of the box so you can see the label from numerous angles and vantage points.

7. Organize your inventory

Another great way to keep your belongings organized is to create an inventory for your boxes to denote what is inside each one. You can do this easily on a spreadsheet or note document. Again, although it may seem like it takes a lot of extra time, it can save time in the long run, and it allows you to pace yourself as you move through the packing process, encouraging proper organization. As you create your inventory list, you would simply assign a number to each box, then list the contents of the box on your list with the corresponding number. This makes unpacking a breeze as you can easily find the items you need.

8. Consult the experts

No one expects you to know everything about packing and moving – that’s what the experts are for. You can call on packing services to help you complete the task. Especially with specialty items such as electronics, artwork, and certain furniture items, special considerations are required for the best process and outcome possible. These professionals can help you pack these items properly with the correct supplies.

Pack for your move successfully

Packing for a move doesn’t need to be the stuff of nightmares – it can be simple and painless with the right steps. If you’re seeking an Illinois moving company, discover what Moving Services Inc. can do for you. Our trusted movers have provided residential moving services in Illinois for over 40 years. As a professional moving company in Mokena, we work hard to keep our customers satisfied. Interested in finding out what we can provide during your move? Call for more information and a free in-home estimate!