Moving is stressful. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that you have to do and put off packing until the last minute. Unfortunately, as professional movers know, packing only gets more difficult and stressful with procrastination. The key to simple and stress-free packing is to start early and create (and stick to) a detailed packing schedule.
Before You Pack
The moment you know you’re moving, create a moving checklist of everything you have to do, complete with specific deadlines for each task. This checklist will keep track of tasks such as changing utilities from the old place to the new, picking up boxes, and hiring a Gainesville moving service. A detailed checklist will keep you on top of everything that you need to do.
Moving is also the perfect opportunity to downsize your belongings. The less you have, the easier it will be to pack. Take some time before your move to sort through possessions and get rid of clothes, books, or other objects for which you no longer have use. You might consider hosting a garage sale a month or so before your big move.
Where To Start
The hardest part of any big project is figuring out how to get started, and this is no less true for packing. Because packing can take a long time, and you’ll still need to live in your home while you’re packing, it’s best to start in the least frequently used rooms of your house, such as an attic, garage, or guest bedroom. Clearing these rooms early on will provide you with a convenient “dumping ground” for packed boxes to keep them out of your way throughout the packing process. Having all of your packed items in one area will be a blessing come moving day.
Packing Schedule By Room
Depending on how much time you’ve allowed yourself to pack, you may choose to dedicate a day to packing each individual room. If you’ve really planned ahead, you may even be able to spend a week on each room. Gainesville movers recommend the following packing order:
- Storage areas such as basements, attics, or garages.
- Little-used rooms such as guest bedrooms or home offices.
- Children’s rooms, if any.
- Finally, the most essential rooms: kitchens, master bedrooms, and bathrooms.
As you’re packing, keep in mind what you’ll need your first night in your new home and pack those items together in a box or suitcase. This way, you won’t spend your first night digging through multiple boxes just trying to get ready for bed.
Packing Schedule By Item
Another tactic for packing is to tackle objects by function. As with packing by room, it’s best to start with nonessentials. This includes seasonal items such as holiday decorations and out-of-season clothes, artwork and decorations, and collectibles such as photo albums or scrapbooks. Anything that you won’t have use for before your move should be packed first. Next should come books, DVDs, games, and other hobby activities. You likely won’t have time to enjoy these in the hectic days and weeks leading up to your move. Remember that books are heavy, so it’s best to pack these in small, sturdy boxes to keep them safe.
As moving day gets closer, move on to nonessential items that you use a little more frequently, like linens, office supplies, and jewelry. When packing linens, remember that old blankets, towels, and sheets make excellent padding for breakable items like china or lamps. In the final days before your move, tackle the objects you use every day. This includes electronics, kitchen items, and clothes. You may have to live on paper plates and plastic utensils for a few days.
Packing is a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Gainesville movers will tell you that the best way to keep moving low-stress is to create a packing schedule that works best for your life. Remember that these tips are just suggestions, and you can tweak them to suit your needs. To get started on creating your packing schedule, contact us today to schedule your move.