Moving home packing tips?

sophlowe45

I am moving home soon and would like to start packing things soon.

I have no idea where to start and how to pack.

Does anyone have any advice?

I have old boxes, lots of tape, bubblewrap and brown paper I have kept from parcels.

madnotstupid

If you have a bit of time before your moving day - start on the things you don't use everyday - so books, cds, ornaments, summer clothes. Don't move your clutter! Last time I moved we had ages before our actual move in date so we cleared out loads, wish we'd got rid of more.

sophlowe45

With books and other heavy items how do you decide when the box is too heavy and no more should go in that box.

Sagaris

We've packed books in smaller boxes so they don't get too heavy - when you pick the box up, think would you like to be carrying several boxes of that weight at least twice on moving day. We have packed lighter things in bigger boxes so at least we will be able to lift them all!

Seakay

I you get wine bottle boxes from an offy or supermarket - the ones that hold 6 bottles - they are strongly made and you can't fit too many books in

FairyPrincessk

A few more thoughts:

Write on the box what is inside. Make sure to write this on the side, not just the top as boxes are likely to be stacked.

Place heavier items on the bottom. If you're halfway up a box and it is getting too heavy, then top it off with cushions, blankets etc.

I usually start packing pictures, ornaments and books first (we have a lot of books). Chances are you will not need those things immediately and its generally best to unpack pictures near last once other things are in place.

It is helpful to number boxes-this ensures you know exactly how many you have to make sure nothing is lost. I also like to number as I pack. Then, I can unpack in reverse order.

Set aside basic tools, basic cleaning supplies, torch, first aid kit, headache meds, prescription meds etc. Chargers, scissors, bin liners, tape, markers, pen/pencil and notepad (someone always phones with something vital!)mugs, tea bags, a kettle, cutlery(this will be the time your takeaway is short a fork), a sharp knife, clean bedding, towels, a shower curtain, bog roll, hand soap and a couple of spare lightbulbs of both types. Nothing like working all day, getting into your new place and realizing it is dark and you need one of these things immediately! I like to keep this stuff in a few open-topped boxes/baskets all in the same room. Usually the room that got emptied first. This room is then the moving station, and it means that if something needs organizing I have a quiet place to retreat and sort it out.

Any documents or valuables that you don't want getting lost for a few days should be kept in this room and either hand carried or put in the front with you etc. Designate a room on the other end to be your central station and all this stuff goes there.

Whoever is doing the loading/carrying will need plenty of water and snacks, as well as breaks. I like to make sure everyone has labelled plastic water bottles, knows where the snacks are and gets a few minutes every hour for a rest. If you're doing the heavy lifting yourselves, or having friends help it is always nice to feed them. I usually try to keep a look out for pizza or some other sort of vouchers in advance. If you're paying someone then make sure you have enough mugs etc. for them to have tea.

Keep older blankets, towels and sheets handy for putting over furniture as this will help keep it from getting scratched. This can result in holes so do not use anything posh!

I also like to keep hand cream handy! Handling lots of newspaper when wrapping, boxes etc. is really hard on the hands!:rotfl:

fuddle

I've been gradually packing these past few weeks and begin putting our boxes in storage next weekend.

I started with packing the kitchen equipment that I thought non-essential for my remainder of time in the house. I then moved onto children's toys, extra bedding/towels which has gradually progressed onto labelled boxes of things we just won't use.

I'm now taking curtains and poles down, packing lamps and shades away. We'll be living in a shell for a few weeks now but it's actually an eye opener to what we actually need.

LameWolf

Seakay wrote: »

I you get wine bottle boxes from an offy or supermarket - the ones that hold 6 bottles - they are strongly made and you can't fit too many books in

If you have paperback books, the flat cardboard trays that supermarkets get their fruit in are ideal for these.

One tip I found handy - use clothes you're not going to want straight away to wrap breakables - saves using a tonne of bubblewrap/paper, and saves on packing crate space.

Write what's in the box on the outside; also write on which room it's to go in when it gets to its destination. I also did a detailed inventory which I tucked inside each box when I last did a proper house move (1994) but this may be a list too far for some.....:o

Keep back a kettle and a mug for everyone involved, and have those to hand for when you arrive at your new place - you'll want a cuppa before you start unpacking anything.;)

Caramel147

Think about what you'll want first the other end; it's easy to get carried away and then arrive and realise you can't find anything to drink out of!
My gran always said the first things you unpack should be the kettle, so you can have a cuppa while you work. Then you should get the bed in, built and made, so even if you get nowhere else with your unpacking, you have somewhere to sleep that night!

Those big Ikea bags are good for moving squishy things like duvets and pillows. They squash down really well.

MrsAtobe

Not so much a packing tip, but make up the beds and hang curtains in the bedrooms as soon as you can. Nothing worse than being exhausted and then having to do it.

ETA Caramel beat me to it! Toilet roll, soap and hand towels should also be pretty high up the list of what to put in place early on.

sophlowe45

You are all wonderful