Packing tips for moving

Preparing for a move to a new home can be overwhelming. As moving day approaches, taking time to prepare and plan can be helpful. Here are some ideas to help you get ready for moving day.

Plan ahead

When planning a move, it's important to be organized and efficient to ensure a smooth transition. Start by resisting the urge to pack immediately. Instead, create a moving to-do list and a home inventory. Here are some other items to consider when determining how to pack for a move:

• Think about your new home. Consider the layout, size and number of rooms. Create a home inventory so you know what you have and plan what you want in each room. You'll likely reorganize your items differently than your current home design. Those changes affect how you pack.
• Make a moving folder. Keep all your moving-related information, such as your new address, rental or closing documents, moving agreements and other relevant paperwork, together in a single folder. Having a physical folder readily available during your move helps ensure easy access to important information, especially if your electronic devices run out of battery.
• Visualize your new home. Begin by sketching out a floor plan of your new place, focusing on the bedrooms, living areas and kitchen. Then, start planning furniture placement. Consider drawing a map of the floor plan and literally sketching objects into it to visualize how they'll fit and look in your new home. Additionally, you can use augmented reality (AR) apps to help visualize spaces with furniture or even use AI tools for this purpose.
• Measure before moving. Get measurements for furniture and any large objects, as well as doorways, hallways and thresholds they will need to pass through. Having this information in advance can prevent issues on moving day and help ensure your belongings fit properly in your new space.
• Create a moving checklist. Moving can be a stressful experience, but creating a moving checklist can help you stay organized and on track.
• Choose your method. Will you move yourself or hire a moving service? If you’re going the DIY route, consider using portable moving containers. It's important to compare prices and options to find a service that aligns with your budget.
• Give yourself enough time to pack. Since it can be a big job, give yourself plenty of time to get your packing done. Think about how long it might take and plan accordingly. Packing a little bit each day over a few weeks could be a great way to stay ahead of the game. For example, try setting a timer for an hour a day to pack.
• Schedule utilities. Transferring utilities to your new home ahead of time can prevent any gaps in services like water or power.
• Remember to update your insurance. Moving to a new home might require changes or updates to your insurance coverage. Keep your personal information current and explore potential insurance changes that may benefit you.
• Create an easy-to-access bag. It may help to have a bag with essential items. This can include packing tools, like a boxcutter and tape. Also, personal essentials, like medications, phone and/or laptop chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes and anything else you may need during or after the move.
• Prioritize rooms to pack. When deciding which rooms to pack first, consider saving the kitchen and bedrooms for last, as these rooms contain items you may need while packing. Another strategy is to pack by item, starting with non-essential items and leaving essential moving items until the end. Whichever method you choose, avoid packing items from different rooms in the same box, as this will make packing and unpacking less efficient.

Buy supplies

Having the right equipment on hand can help make your move less stressful. Helpful supplies may include the following:

• Boxes — when it comes to packing, boxes are essential. It's easy to underestimate how many you'll actually need. A good rule of thumb is to get about twice as many as you initially think. Overpacked boxes can be difficult to move or might break and running out of boxes at the last minute adds unnecessary stress to your move. If you're moving on your own, be mindful of the size and weight of your boxes.
• Bubble wrap and packing paper — even for a short journey, bubble wrapping fragile items and sealing boxes with packing tape can be an effective way to prevent unnecessary breakage.
• Packing tape — use packing tape to seal boxes and prevent items from falling out during the move.
• Scissors, knives and boxcutters — at your destination, you’ll need something to open up those taped-up boxes.
• Blankets — can be especially helpful for transferring furniture or large objects. Wrapping large or unwieldy items in blankets provides extra padding that can sometimes be the difference between avoiding a scuff or scratch on your things.
• Handcarts and dollies — for heavy lifts, you may want to buy or rent a handcart, a dolly or both. These are often used by movers and with good reason: They make moving a lot easier, especially with moving heavy objects or boxes.
• Plastic sandwich bags, blank stickers and permanent markers — these items can be good to label and store nuts, bolts, screws and other small items while disassembling furniture so it’s easier to reassemble later.

Sort and purge

Many households have “junk” items – unused or unneeded items. Remove unnecessary things to help reduce the number of items to pack and move. You can start by sorting and separating items you need from items you don't.

• Start in the storage area of your house. This includes a basement, attic or closet, wherever you store your items that may see less frequent use.
• Go through your things. Consider adding items you haven’t used in years to a “throwaway” or “donate” pile.
• Keep sentimental items. Don't be afraid to keep valuables or special items, even if you don't use them often. Put these types of objects together and pack them safely in case you don't open them for a while.
• Decide how to dispose of items. Select a disposal method for unwanted items and excess packing materials. Consider donating to charitable organizations or holding a garage sale.

Prepare furniture

Taking time to protect your furniture can help reduce damage. Consider using these tips for packing your house furniture.

• Packing supplies — use labels, plastic bags and markers to keep hardware secure and in one place when disassembling furniture like tables, bookshelves and cribs. For items that have a lot of individual components, re-assembly can be more efficient and easier when you label each bag.
• Wax furniture — apply wax to fine woods to prevent scratches.
• Put pillows and coverings in plastic garbage bags — fasten the bags so debris can't get in.
• Wrap and protect furniture — wrap important furniture like baby cribs with blankets or bubble wrap for extra protection.

Start packing

Keep these tips in mind as you start packing up your home:

• Secure delicate items. Wrap delicate items with packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent damage. For example, place a layer of bubble wrap or crumpled paper at the bottom of a box for extra padding before placing a fragile tea set inside and add another layer of protection on top.
• Pack boxes securely. Line the bottom of your boxes with foam peanuts or crumpled-up newspaper. Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Fill open spaces with clothing or towels to provide additional padding. Hangers can be used to fill space in boxes where necessary.
• Utilize what you have. Things like tote bags, suitcases, laundry baskets and more can be handy for packing clothes and other items. For additional space, consider using compression bags, a type of container that can be air-sealed for optimal storage usage.
• Categorize items into boxes when possible. This makes finding things easier and speeds up unpacking. For example, pack cookware together so you know exactly where it is when you need it.
• Look for kitchen supplies. When it comes to dishware, it can be beneficial to keep everyday items separate from antique or otherwise delicate items. For fine china and silverware, you may want extra padding. Keep items firmly secured and separate with packing paper. More common dishware and cooking utensils can be wrapped and stacked together.
• Use coolers for fridge or freezer items. For any refrigerated or freezer items, consider using a cooler to store cold items until you can transfer them to a refrigerator or freezer at your new home.
• Close and label boxes. After packing a box, fill any empty space with packing peanuts. Seal the box with tape and label each side to prevent confusion. Color code labels by room - for example, yellow for kitchen items and green for living room items. For fragile items, valuables or anything you're transporting yourself, label the box with your initials and take a picture of the contents and label.
• Prepare and pack plants carefully. Before the move, provide plants you're taking with water and confirm their soil is moist. Then, carefully cover any large plants with a soft material, like packing paper or light blankets, to protect fronds, stems and leaves. For smaller plants, pack them in boxes with some extra height to make room for packing paper you'll place within. Crumple packing paper into balls and put those between the flower or plant pots to help keep them securely in place during transit. Even if you are using a moving service, consider transporting your plants so they receive the gentlest possible handling.

Moving day

Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips:

• Have a game plan. Planning ahead can help your move go more smoothly. It can also help you stay on track if things don't go according to plan.
• Get a good night’s sleep. Moving is tiring, so remember to get plenty of rest the night before. You'll be glad you did.
• Blast some tunes. Music may be a great way to boost your mood and energy level. If you're moving with others, consider setting up a stereo or Bluetooth speaker. If you're moving solo, pop in some headphones or earbuds and have your own personal dance party.
• Listen to a podcast. Podcasts are another great audio option for moving day. With so many different topics and genres to choose from, you'll likely find something you enjoy.
• Pack some snacks. Moving can work up an appetite. Have some snacks on hand to keep your energy up. You could even prepare breakfast or lunch in advance, so you don't have to worry about cooking during the move.

It's important to pack safely, so take breaks and rest as you need to. Engaging the help and company of friends and family can make packing faster and easier.

For more information about homeowners, condo or renters insurance and how they may help protect you in your new property, contact a State Farm® agent.