If you google packing or moving tips you'll find an abundance of information on the web. Most of which is great information to prepare you to make a successful move. You will find everything from color coded systems to detailed inventory lists and those are good, better yet great ideas; but in my experience the ideas that work best are the ones that are the simplest to execute. Because the truth is moving is a TON of work and anything that adds to the work just makes things more complicated. So here's my list of 15 packing and unpacking tips that are easy to execute and really do help to make the process a little bit less chaotic.
1. Boxes are boxes. But all packing tape is not created equally. You want the good stuff. Go ahead and splurge for the good packing tape. I've personally found Scotch Brand packing tape to be the best. And no, I'm not being paid to say that. There is nothing worse than a packed box busting open because the tape didn't hold together. #askmehowIknow
2. Speaking of boxes, check Craig's List and your local grocery stores for used boxes. Many times people who have just moved in will either sell or give away their used boxes. Many grocery stores are happy to let you have what they would be putting in their recycling bins. And when you get to your new place and you've unpacked be sure to do the same. *We just sold a bunch of our broken down boxes via Craig's List.
3. Use what you have for padding. The most expensive packing material is bubble wrap and packing paper which is what you'll need to keep breakables safe and secure in transit. But, before you go out and buy a bunch of packing supplies look at your stuff and figure out what you already have that can be used for padding. Comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, dishrags, socks, scarves, sweaters, jeans and even purses can be used to pack and pad those valuables.
4. Label the top and sides of boxes. Be specific. Write not only the room but also the contents. For example - Kitchen, dish towels, pots and pans. Labeling will make the unpacking and finding of things much simpler.
5. Anything that can't be replaced, don't pack. Move those items with you. Grandma's casserole dish or that special Christmas plate with your kid's handprints on it is not something you will want to risk breaking, and the truth is there is really no rhyme or reason to what ends up breaking in transit. Sometimes it's the items you double, triple, quadruple wrapped with bubble wrap and then padded with fleece blankets that end up cracking into a million pieces. So don't risk anything that is precious or too valuable to replace.
6. Make friends with a pack of post-its. When you get to your new place use post-its to label drawers and cabinets and even closets, so you'll know exactly where you're going to put things when you unpack them. This is super helpful especially if you've got a friend or family member helping you unpack. It's a giant waste of time to have to keep explaining to people where things are supposed to go.
7. Speaking of friends and family, don't be afraid to ask for help. Like most things in life, it takes a village.
8. If you're using a moving company, use post-it's to label the door of each room, so the movers know where to put your boxes when they arrive. It's a giant pain and waste of money having to move boxes around your new home after the movers have left. #youpaidthemtodotheheavylifting
9. Use a notes application on your phone to write down how many boxes you have in each room, so you can take a quick inventory upon moving in to your new place. If you know you've got 15 boxes in the kitchen and only 14 show up at your new place, you'll know one is either missing or has been put in the wrong place.
10. Put a big star on the top and sides of those boxes you want to be sure to unpack first. If you have 15 kitchen boxes, seeing one with a big star on it will make it easier for you to get the keurig machine unpacked right away. ;)
11. Some things don't ever really need to be unpacked. For example, you might just want to keep your old dance recital costumes and high school yearbooks packed neatly in a box. Label those boxes so that you know what's inside, and mark them so you know you don't need to bother opening them. You really don't need to waste your time unpacking things that don't need to be unpacked.
12. Wear something with pockets or put on a tool belt when you're packing and unpacking. Sounds crazy, but there is nothing worse than constantly misplacing the packing tape, your big black sharpie or the box cutter. #aintnobodygottimeforthat
13. Create a game plan for both the packing and the unpacking. What rooms do you want to pack or unpack first? The game plan can work like a checklist to help you make sure you didn't forget to pack anything. It also helps you to feel accomplished at your new place as you start crossing rooms off your list.
14. Set a timer and then stop and walk away. When it comes to unpacking it can feel really overwhelming. Moving into a new place comes with a list of things you need to accomplish from finding new doctors and registering kids for school to getting a new driver's license and figuring out where to grocery shop. It's a lot to take in all at once so I recommend biting off the unpacking in chunks. Whether you decided to unpack a handful of boxes a day or you choose to set aside an hour or two each day to devote to unpacking until you get it all done, I think doing a little at a time makes it feel less intimidating and ultimately makes the process less stressful.
15. Last but not least, organize as you go. It might make the unpacking take longer, but it will be so worthwhile in the long run if you take the time to organize each cabinet, drawer and closet as you unpack and put things away. I know it's easy when you're staring at a mountain of cardboard boxes in the middle of your kitchen to throw up your hands and just start shoving things anywhere you can, but in the end that is only going to make more work for you later on down the road. Try to really take the time to think, sort and organize each item as best as you can up front to make your life simpler once you get unpacked and settled in to your new place.
There's no doubt that moving can be super stressful and really overwhelming, ummmmmm........ ask me how I know...................
but I always try to look at the positive side of things. And the truth is moving is also an opportunity to hit the reset button as it forces you to purge, sort and rethink not only what you have but also where you keep the items you own. If you have any tried and true packing and unpacking tips to share I'd love for you to share them in the comments section below!
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