Packing properly has two purposes. It protects fragile and delicate items and it gathers several articles together to make one object to carry.
Done well, it can also mean renting less space than you might otherwise need.
90% of people underestimate both the time they need to pack properly and the number of boxes required. Packing is not something that can be left to the last minute, i.e. removal day.
If you are moving house and planning to put some of your belongings in store for a while, perhaps until the new home is decorated to your liking, you will need to divide your belongings into those things you absolutely can't do without and those that can be stored.
Step one to save time and stress is to make lists. Moving house is a great time to do some de-cluttering. Take some time to sift through your belongings and have a clear-out.
You can make up a box for charity and if you've time, hold a car boot sale or log onto an online auction, then put the proceeds of your sold goods towards some re-decorating or a new carpet.
Using the right materials also makes a huge difference - strong cartons with overlapping flaps or lids, strong adhesive tape, clean wrapping paper, strong bin lines, labels, pen.
Boxes made from corrugated cardboard are stronger than regular ones. You can usually get these from supermarkets, off licences or large retail stores, but make sure that they are clean and sound. Alternatively most self-store companies do sell packaging material.
Save old newspapers for lining boxes and for filling spaces, for example among crockery to prevent breakages. Soft items like sheets, pillow and bed linen can be packed into bin liners to save on weight and space. They can then double as extra cushioning to protect fragile items like mirrors or pictures.
Pack an 'essentials' box for the first night in your new home and carry it with you. You may welcome instant access to coffee, tea, snacks, cups and a kettle soon after you arrive. Also plates, utensils and a kitchen cloth. Important household documents should also be kept with you.
Prepare an overnight bag for everyone in the family, and make sure that there is enough toilet paper and toiletries for everyone.
Other useful items you might need are a torch, a first-aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, and re-closable plastic bags, along with a small tool kit.
If you can, finish any laundry well before the move so you dn't have to pack damp clothes. Keep a separate box/bag for dirty washing.
Begin at the top of the house and move downwards. If you have an attic, it's a good idea to sort it out first.
It may sound obvious but pack heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top. It's also sensible to pack heavy items into smaller boxes so that they are easier to lift.
Packing directly from the cupboard will save a lot of time spent folding and stacking items, as well as giving you more space for the boxes the contents are to be packed in. Label each box/container with a general description of its contents so that you will know where to find things. Label each box and bag with the name of the room to which it will be going. Stack your boxes as they are finished to give yourself more room.
Use plastic covers if you are storing large, upholstered items to protect them.
If you are using self storage units for some of your possessions load everything in reverse order - with the stuff you're least likely to need going into the unit first and anything you might want in the interval between moving into the new home and finally being settled with everything in place there.
Following these simple guidelines will help take some of the stress and time out of the process of packing, storing, then unpacking it all again in its new home.
Author Resource:
Being organised about packing for a house move or to put property into rented self-storage helps prevent breakages of fragile items and cut down on the amount of stuff that needs to be shifted. Writer Ali Withers shares some tips gathered from staff at a local self-store unit in Suffolk, England.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlecoop.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites