No matter whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, moving house can be stressful. But with the right plan, it doesn’t have to be!
Packing is one of those tasks that always sounds easier than it is—until you’re knee-deep in a room full of half-sealed boxes, can’t remember which drawer you already emptied, and are now wondering how you’ve accumulated so many extension cords. It’s easy to underestimate just how much time it takes to sort, protect, and label every part of your home. Add kids, pets, or a full-time job into the mix, and the whole thing can spiral quickly without a solid plan. That’s why even seasoned movers will tell you: packing efficiently isn’t just about saving time—it’s about keeping your sanity intact. Use these handy moving tips to minimize the hassle and have a safe and stress-free move!
Simple Packing Tips for a Smooth Move
Plan in Advance
Packing in a rush makes moving house all the more stressful, plus it can lead to carelessness when packing more fragile belongings.
Use Strong Boxes
Your moving company will be able to provide you with good quality moving boxes. Alternatively, buy a moving kit from a home improvement store or online box supplier – do not use boxes from the supermarket or local dumpsters – they are designed for specific items and are not strong enough for heavier household items. Here is a useful list of moving box types and how to pack them.
Use Proper Materials
Moving house involves your most valuable possessions, make sure you get the right materials to pack and safeguard your items inside boxes. Use bubble wrap and white packing paper to wrap any items that are breakable or can be scratched while moving. Also use good packing tape to secure the boxes. Not sure what to get? You’ll find everything you need on our packing supplies page.
Make an Inventory as You Pack
Label all boxes by number, the room it goes to in the new house and a general description of what’s inside. On a separate sheet of paper write down details of everything that goes into each box. This makes unpacking much simpler, and is useful to have if any boxes go missing.
Be Clever When Packing
To lower your moving costs, you’ll want to pack as much as you can into as few boxes as possible. Consider filling up gaps with towels and clothes, which also act as great insulation. Important note: don’t make boxes too heavy – heavy boxes are more difficult to carry, more likely to drop and more likely to break apart. Check out our packing guide for more helpful tips.
Pack Breakables Tightly
You don’t want fragile items knocking around in boxes and getting broken. Use bubble wrap, towels or clothes to ensure that breakables are snug in their boxes. Watch this video on how to pack dishes
Put Heavy Items in Smaller Boxes
You should have a selection of boxes in different sizes. Heavy things like books should go in smaller boxes to make them easier to lift and prevent boxes breaking. Video
Roll Your Clothes
Roll your clothing into sausages for packing. It’ll take up much less space than folded clothes.
Make sure you can find the pieces
When you disassemble something like a bed or table – put the parts in a ziplock bag and tape it to the item so it won’t get lost
Pack Safely
Any flammable or toxic items should probably be disposed of and not packed inside boxes where there could be heat, cold or stress – you should not pack things like toxic cleaning materials, bleach, propane tanks, gasoline, paint thinners, lighter fluid or similar items.
Pack a ‘Welcome’ Box
Once you’re in your new home, you don’t want to be fishing through boxes to find the coffee. Pack a box with things you’ll need or want before you begin unpacking properly – such as a kettle, tea and coffee, mugs, cleaning equipment and if it’s winter, a snow shovel.
What to Pack First (and Last)
One of the most overlooked tips for packing up your house to move is knowing where to start. Begin with off-season items and things you won’t need in the short term—holiday decorations, guest room linens, out-of-season clothing.
Next, move on to non-essentials like books, décor, and rarely-used kitchen appliances. Save the high-traffic areas—like your bathroom, kitchen, and daily wardrobe—for last. That way, you’ll still have access to the things you use every day until just before moving day.
On the flip side, unpacking is easier when you’ve labeled your boxes clearly and kept your essentials in a separate “first to open” group.
What to Do the Night Before the Move
It’s tempting to pack until midnight and crash—but there are a few quick wins that can make moving day smoother:
- Charge your phone and keep chargers handy
- Pack a small overnight bag with clothes, toiletries, and medications
- Confirm arrival times with your movers
- Take photos of electronics before disconnecting wires
- Defrost your freezer (if you’re bringing it)
And don’t forget: make sure your “welcome” box is easy to grab. You won’t want to dig for toilet paper or your coffee maker first thing in the morning.
Choose a Moving Company You Can Trust
Even the best packing system can fall apart if your movers aren’t careful or communicative. Isaac’s Moving & Storage is a proven, experienced provider of moving services with a reputation built on trust. We offer comprehensive moving services, from packing guidance to careful handling on moving day.
Need a hand with your move? Contact Isaac’s Moving & Storage today for a free, no-pressure quote.
