No one looks forward to packing. Even if you do not own a lot of material possessions, packing your stuff will likely take several hours, if not several days. However, it does not have to be like this. Follow the packing tips detailed below, and you will find that the process takes half as long as you initially expected.
Create a List and Plan of Action
A packing project should not be performed in a spontaneous manner. Take a little bit of time required to map out a plan of action. Write down everything you must pack. Think about which items should be packed in the same boxes, which will require their own boxes and so on. When planning how to pack, consider the fact that very heavy items should be packed in reinforced boxes or packed with lightweight items to ensure the box does not break.
Be Mindful When Packing Fragile Items
The manner in which you pack fragile items, such as dishware matters a great deal. If you are not careful packing plates, wine glasses and other fragile items, they will be that much more likely to break en route to your new digs. Pack dishes in a vertical manner rather than stacking them atop one another. Stacking dishes is a mistake as it puts an inordinate amount of pressure on the dishes at the bottom. If the box or dishes break with such a flawed packing strategy, you will waste time picking up the pieces and shopping for replacements.
Label Box Sides
Take a little bit of time to label each side of the boxes you pack. This extra effort saves time and effort as you will not have to move from box to box, opening each to find what you are looking for after moving. Label each side of your boxes, and you will be able to determine what is inside regardless of where you are standing. The best approach is to color code your boxes according to the rooms they belong in.
Pack According to Necessity
Think about the items you will need immediately upon moving. Place these items in a plastic bin, so they can be identified and accessed with ease. Examples of such necessities include paper towels, toilet paper, silverware, box cutters, and tools. Pack these items first, so you do not have to search for them during the move. You will know exactly where these items are when you need them.
Pack Room by Room
Pack room by room, so you can unpack in a similar manner. This approach to packing reduces the chances of losing something in transit. Don’t fall into the trap of packing similar items together. As an example, packing all of your pillows together is a mistake that will end up costing you extra time that can be better spent on other things.
Consider Cutting Hand-holds in Your Boxes
Your move will prove that much easier if your boxes have hand-holds. Use a knife, scissors or other blades to cut an oval-shaped handhold in the sides of your moving boxes. This way, you can slide your fingers in for the ultimate grip. You should also perform the cut in a manner that leaves a flap that can be folded right back in the box. This way, as you hold the box, the jagged edge will not affect your hands.
Speed up Your Move by Hanging Clothes Instead of Using Boxes
There is no sense spending your time taking clothes off hangers, folding them and putting them in boxes. After all, you will only end up taking those clothes back out of the boxes, putting them on clothes hangers and hanging them in your closet. The better way is to use a garbage bag. Place it over hanging clothing, and tie the hangers using the bag drawstring. This strategy makes moving clothes that much easier and quicker.
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