Moving to a new home is an exciting transition, but it can quickly become stressful and chaotic without the right packing strategy. Understanding how to pack for a move properly can save you time, money, and frustration while ensuring your belongings arrive intact.
Many people struggle with common moving challenges, such as broken items, disorganized boxes, and last-minute packing panic. The key to a relaxed (as much as possible) relocation is careful preparation, using the right supplies, and following a step-by-step approach. We created a guide that covers everything from must-have moving essentials and expert packing strategies to a room-by-room packing checklist and timeline to keep you on track.
The Importance of Proper Packing
Packing might seem like an endless repetitive job of putting things into boxes. Yet, it’s more about protecting your valuables, maximizing space, and streamlining the moving process. A well-organized move means fewer headaches, faster unpacking, and lower risk of damaged belongings. Poor packing can lead to broken items, lost essentials, unnecessary stress, and many other problems.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating how long packing takes. Many start too late, leaving them scrambling to throw things into boxes without proper protection. Using mismatched or low-quality materials is another common mistake — thin boxes, weak tape, and a lack of padding can result in damaged belongings. To avoid these issues, create a packing checklist for moving and follow it religiously.
The best approach is to plan early, declutter before packing, and use high-quality materials. Labeling boxes properly and packing by category or room ensures a smooth move. Keep in mind that the timeline is relative as the right time to start packing for a move depends on many factors.
Moving Essentials: What You Need Before Packing
Before you start packing, gathering all necessary supplies is crucial. Having the right tools and materials can make the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one. If you’re hiring professional movers, clearly labeling boxes with “fragile” or “this side up” can prevent mishandling. Or just let them know there are such things and they will label everything.
Essential Packing Supplies
Invest in sturdy moving boxes in various sizes. Weak or flimsy boxes can collapse under pressure, risking damage to your belongings. Other must-have supplies include:
- Packing tape – Securely seals boxes and reinforces weak spots.
- Bubble wrap – Protects fragile items like dishes, glassware, and electronics.
- Packing paper – Prevents scratches and keeps items from shifting inside boxes.
- Markers & labels – Clearly label each box to streamline unpacking.
- Furniture covers & mattress bags – Shield large items from dust, dirt, and damage.
- Plastic bins – Ideal for storing important documents, jewelry, and valuables.
- Zip-lock bags – Keep small items, screws, and bolts organized.
Packing Bag with Necessities
Moving day can be chaotic, and the last thing you want is to dig through packed boxes looking for daily necessities. This is why having an overnight bag ready is essential. It should include toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap, as well as a change of clothes for at least two days. If you take prescription medications, make sure they are easily accessible, along with basic first-aid supplies. Chargers for your phone and other devices should be kept in the bag to avoid unnecessary stress when you need them most. Staying hydrated and fueled is also important, so include snacks and water bottles. Additionally, important documents such as leases, contracts, and IDs should be stored in a separate, clearly marked folder so you can access them quickly when needed.
Decluttering Before Packing
Decluttering before packing is a game changer and can make the entire moving process faster and more efficient.
- Donate or sell items that are in good condition but no longer needed, such as clothes, furniture, and kitchenware. Charities and second-hand buyers are great options for rehoming these items.
- Recycle or dispose of broken appliances, outdated electronics, and worn-out belongings to avoid unnecessary clutter in your new home.
- Minimize duplicate items, especially in the kitchen and bathroom — do you really need three sets of measuring cups or five different shampoo bottles?
- Follow the “one-year rule” — if you haven’t used something in over a year, it’s time to let it go.
Decluttering reduces the number of boxes you’ll need, making packing more manageable and unpacking in your new home significantly easier.
Best Way to Pack for Moving: Room-by-Room Packing Guide
Room by room packing checklist ensures nothing is overlooked, and it helps with organization when unpacking.
Packing the Living Room
The living room is often filled with delicate and valuable items that require extra care when packing. TVs should be wrapped securely in moving blankets or placed back in their original boxes if available. If you don’t have the original packaging, use thick padding around the screen and reinforce the box with extra cushioning to prevent movement. When packed, lamps should be disassembled, with lampshades, bulbs, and bases packed separately to avoid breakage. Lampshades should never be stacked inside one another unless they are of identical size and shape to prevent warping.
When it comes to glass decor, picture frames, and mirrors, ample bubble wrap is a must. These items should be wrapped individually and packed vertically in sturdy boxes, as laying them flat increases the risk of breakage under pressure.
Packing the Kitchen
Again, here we have a high number of fragile items, small appliances, and perishable goods. Plates and dishes should always be stacked vertically like records in a box, with padding between each one to prevent breakage. Glasses and stemware should be wrapped separately and placed in dish-specific boxes.
When it comes to packing the kitchen appliances, the best option is to use their original boxes if available. If not, wrap them with packing paper and place them in sturdy, well-cushioned boxes to prevent movement. Don’t forget to secure any loose parts or accessories.
Packing the Bedroom
When thinking about how to pack for moving, remember that the bedroom is one of the easiest rooms to pack. Clothing can be packed efficiently using wardrobe boxes for items that need to remain on hangers, while folded clothes can be rolled tightly to save space and prevent wrinkles. Shoes should be packed in their original boxes whenever possible or wrapped in pairs to keep them from getting damaged.
Mattresses and bedding require special attention. Mattresses should always be covered with a mattress bag to keep them clean and protected during transport. Bed frames and furniture should be dismantled whenever possible to make moving easier. Keep screws, bolts, and assembly hardware in a labeled plastic bag.
Packing the Bathroom
Packing a bathroom is relatively straightforward but requires a few precautions to avoid messes and damage. Toiletries, shampoos, and liquid products should be packed in sealed, leak-proof bags. Medications and first-aid supplies should be packed separately in a clearly labeled, easily accessible container. Be sure to check expiration dates and discard anything that is no longer needed. Towels and linens can be used as extra padding for fragile items.
Packing the Home Office
A home office often contains valuable electronics and important documents that need careful organization. Laptops, printers, and other electronics should be wrapped in anti-static bubble wrap and packed in boxes with enough padding to prevent shifting during transport. Cables, chargers, and accessories should be packed in separate bags to avoid tangles and confusion when setting up in your new space.
Documents and sensitive paperwork should be stored in folders or binders and packed in a secure, waterproof container. For extra security, keep things like legal documents, passports, and financial records with you rather than placing them in a moving truck. If you own a safe or fireproof box, use it to store your most valuable and irreplaceable paperwork.
Packing Checklist for Moving: Step-by-Step Timeline
4 Weeks Before Moving
- Declutter unnecessary items
- Create a packing checklist for moving
- Gather packing materials
2 Weeks Before Moving
- Pack non-essential rooms (guest rooms, storage areas)
- Label boxes by room and contents
- Notify service providers about the address change
1 Week Before Moving
- Pack essentials for the first few nights
- Disassemble large furniture
- Confirm moving day logistics with SETT Movers
Moving Day
- Pack a “survival” kit (snacks, chargers, toilet paper)
- Double-check that all boxes are sealed and labeled
- Load heavy items first for truck stability
How to Pack Up an Apartment vs. a House: Key Differences
Packing strategies differ based on space constraints. Apartment moves require creative space-saving solutions, such as vacuum-sealed bags for clothes and stacking boxes vertically. Navigating tight hallways and staircases means planning furniture placement carefully. In contrast, house moves involve larger loads and may require a moving truck with multiple trips or professional movers.
Knowing how to pack up an apartment efficiently makes a huge difference when dealing with limited space.
How to Pack for a Move Efficiently: Top 10 Expert Tips
- Use color-coded labels for each room to simplify unpacking.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes.
- Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty spaces with packing paper.
- Utilize suitcases for clothes and important documents.
- Keep screws and bolts from disassembled furniture in labeled plastic bags.
- Use towels and blankets as padding for delicate items.
- Pack an essentials box with daily necessities.
- Keep electronic cords with their respective devices.
- Avoid overpacking boxes to prevent breakage.
- Seal boxes with high-quality packing tape for durability.
Moving Day: Last-Minute Packing & Loading Tips
Before the moving truck arrives, double-check that all boxes are properly sealed and labeled. It’s also a good idea to do a final walk-through of your home to make sure everything is empty.
If you are loading the moving truck yourself (which we do not recommend), heavy furniture and appliances should be placed at the back and along the sides of the truck for balance. Medium-weight boxes go in the middle, while lighter and fragile items should always be placed on top.
Finally, don’t rush the process. Moving day is hectic, but try staying calm.
Unpacking & Settling into Your New Home
After the move, the unpacking process can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath, and start with essential rooms — the kitchen and bedroom should be set up first, so you have a functional space to prepare meals and get a good night’s sleep.
Later, decorating and arranging furniture can help your new space feel more like home.
It’s completely normal to feel post-move fatigue, so take breaks when needed and focus on one room at a time instead of trying to do everything at once.
Conclusion
Packing for a move doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead and use the right approach. At SETT Movers, we understand the challenges of moving and strive to make every transition as easy as possible. Whether you’re relocating a small apartment or a large house, careful preparation is the key to success.
Need professional moving help? Contact us for expert moving services!
