Moving house is notorious for being one of the\nmost stressful events in our adult lives. Once the final paperwork is signed,\nutility companies contacted, the garden shed cleared out and the removal van\nbooked, it\u2019s time to start thinking about packing – but for many this can feel\nlike an impossibly big task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving is expensive enough without forking out\nhundreds for a packing company as well, so we\u2019ve compiled this list of tips on\nhow to pack efficiently while keeping your valuables safe and secure in\ntransit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on to check out our packing advice for\nthe big move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a\nClear-Out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving is a great excuse for a big clear-out,\nand this will significantly cut down on packing time and costs. Declutter\neverything from the back of the garage, under the stairs and in the loft. Hold\na car boot sale, take unwanted items to charity, or sell things online and put\nthe money towards the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Invest\nIn Good Packaging<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Varied, high quality packaging is essential for keeping your belongings protected during the move. Invest in a good selection of small, medium, large and wardrobe-sized boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspapers, permanent marker pens, labels, stretch wrap and Corex. Make sure to order these items well in advance of when you want to start packing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Give\nYourself Time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Having to rush the packing process will almost\ncertainly be stressful and disorderly, and could result in things getting\nbroken or forgotten. Be realistic with the amount of time you\u2019ll need to pack,\nand think about how you\u2019ll fit it in around work and other commitments. For a 3\nbedroom house, we recommend starting to pack at least 2 weeks before your\nmoving date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Begin\nwith Less Used Rooms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure where to start? Begin with the rooms\nyou use the least. Tools from the garden shed, the seasonal decorations, the\nunused china in the attic, the old photographs, and the furniture from the\nguest room can all be packed up first because you won\u2019t need them for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work\nfrom Room to Room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The prospect of packing up a whole house can\nbe overwhelming; packing one room at a time makes the process more linear and\nmethodical, and it\u2019ll be easier to sort through once you\u2019ve arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wedge\nFragile Things in Place<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To stop things from breaking you need to\nminimise movement. Wedge breakables in position with newspaper, bubble wrap and\nCorex and be sure to keep these boxes aside for stacking on top in the van. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t\nFill Large Boxes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Filling the larger boxes will only make them\nharder to move and their contents more likely to get damaged, so be sure to\nkeep these less than two thirds full. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Label\nEvery Box<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing worse than arriving at your\nnew home and not being able to find everything you need. Take care to label\nevery single box with the contents and the room they came from – you\u2019ll thank\nyourself later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep\nAside the Essentials<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget to keep a box or two of\nessentials that you\u2019ll need as soon as you move in. These include clothes,\ntoiletries, basic cooking utensils, the kettle, plates and towels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow these straightforward packing tips, and\nthe whole process will be much less stressful – it may even be a cathartic\nexperience and a good way to declutter your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n