Long Distance moves are a major operation – you’re picking up and transferring your entire world into another home. While it seems daunting, packing up the sum of your belongings can actually be a methodical and organized experience. With some prep and focus, your home can be packed, transported, and unpacked with a surprising amount of efficiency. In this blog post, I’m going to give you the complete package you have to follow for the most stress-free move ever.
It’s important to start by separating all the items you will need on the day of your move into a separate area for easy access. After that, write a list of all the rooms in your new home, and the corresponding items that will belong in them. Pack by room – load furniture into the truck first, and with small items, boxing according to room placement saves massive time and maximizes space while you’re packing. It’s wise to invest in a single piece of durable luggage to contain all your stuff.
Any container that you have – hangars, spare boxes, laundry bins – can be used as storage – just as a way to maximize your space. Try using a rolling folding technique to maximize space in your bag – it’s always best to use luggage space wisely. Fill small boxes with the heaviest items, so they’ll be the easiest to carry. Use blankets and sheets as padding for delicate items. For very small items consider zip-lock bags – which are life savers! Use clothing as padding for delicate items to maximize space.Keep clothing on hangers on their hangers flat in the back of the car – they’ll be easier to fold once you get there.
When you’re packing boxes, use brown packing tape – other kinds of tape don’t stick very well to cardboard. It might be worth investing in special double-walled “dish barrel” boxes. They keep delicate items stabilized and bang-safe. Label boxes according to room with a permanent marker to make it easier once you arrive to your new home. once you get to your new home, make sure to fill your closets – even if it’s only as temporary storage. Closets are a godsend in terms of organizing clutter.
The most important part of an efficient pack is focus and stamina. By organizing boxes by room and packing in a structurally practical way, the move will be pleasant and without any confusion – this requires a bit of stamina, which can be really re-enforced with some pre-planning. Before you even start packing, make a list of the heaviest items you will be transporting, along with smaller lists of the various room essentials. This way, you’ll have something to reference during your pack.
On a self care level, make sure you pack a small backpack or purse to carry material you want to bring with you during transportation of your luggage – remember to drink water, and lastly, prepare yourself for the exciting change of a new home!