You’ve decided to move, picked out the perfect place and need to start packing. You’re looking around your home, glancing at all of your memories, noticing the trinkets you’ve collected over the years, and suddenly you start to feel very overwhelmed. How will you start this huge project of examining trash from treasure, packing up valuables, and making sure that this new transition goes well? Here’s where we come in! Below are some tips and tricks to stay calm, cool and collected throughout the packing phase of your big move.
Collecting Supplies: Make sure you have enough trash bags, packing paper, bubble wrap and sturdy boxes to organize your things. Throw out any trash and donate any items you no longer want or need that are still in good condition. Once your belongings have been narrowed down, you can start packing and labeling your boxes.
Packing: Turn up your radio and let’s get the (packing) party started. When packing keep in mind these useful and important tips. Use the right sized boxes for your items, rooms with small inventories can use smaller boxes. Smaller and medium sized boxes are also good for heavier items, (your movers will thank you later). Always place heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top. Make sure not to pack too many heavy items in the box. Pack any empty spaces with newspapers, towels or packing paper to prevent damage to your items. Don’t mix items from different rooms, this will be confusing when it comes to labeling your boxes.
Labeling: Time to break out the post-its and permanent markers! Your boxes should be labeled thoroughly, clearly identifying which room they will belong to in your new space. Label if the items are fragile, and/or whether the items will be needed right away. Fragile boxes should be penned with a permanent marker in large and clear writing on the sides of the box. Label the box with the room name or pick a color for each room and color on the top and sides of the box with the corresponding color. (Kitchen = Pink, First floor bathroom = blue). Tape a post-it down to the top of any box that will be needed immediately after moving. Think about bedding, bathroom and kitchen essentials, and yes, the coffee will need to be readily accessible. You can even put a description of what each box contains to refresh your mind and to organize your unpacking just a bit more. It’ll take out the mystery when trying to find the right items when sifting through the mountain of pink “Kitchen†boxes. This will give you a clear roadmap of where your boxes will need to go post move and what essentials are needed immediately in your new space.
Specialty Items: So your items are packed and labeled like a pro, what’s next? Taking care of specialty items is especially important to ensure a smooth and safe transition. Taping boxes appropriately can reinforce the boxes and the precious items inside. So if you’re questioning whether or not to put another piece of tape on that box, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Any artwork that will be moving with you will need to be taken into consideration. Your artwork collection may not be van Gogh’s or DaVinci’s paintings, but that doesn’t mean they should be haphazardly packed. Pieces should be wrapped in plastic, not newspaper or packing paper, and sealed and secured with a styrofoam frame. Pieces with a glass frame should be marked with a taped “X†to strengthen the frame and wrapped carefully with bubble wrap.
Grandma’s heirloom dishes need to be wrapped and packed, but concerned about getting a chip in the fine china? Use newspaper or packing paper to wrap each individual dish and then wrap a bundle of 4-6 together. Place the bundle on their side, never flat, and fill in empty spaces with towels or more paper.
TV and electronics should be double boxed and wrapped with quilts and blankets to ensure their safety while traveling from one home to the next.
The Big Day: Whether you are moving yourself or paying someone else to do it, be sure to be done packing the day before the big day. This will take the stress out of moving and reduce the chances of forgetting something. Keep the essential boxes in your own transportation, room permitting, or pack it as one of the last items in the truck. When you finally get to your new place you can easily access the boxes that will be most vital to you in the first few days, without moving the dresser or squeezing behind the couch to get access your toothbrush.
Follow these tips and you should be packed and ready to go for your big move! Have more to add or enjoyed this month’s blog? Share your favorite tips and comments in the space below! Packed, ready to move and live in South Jersey? Give us a call for a free estimate at 609-484-1101 or visit us online at http://atlanticcoastmovers.com/!