Decorating your home is one of the most exciting parts of moving. While the excitement is never-ending, the dread starts when you think about moving everything. Whether your apartment lease is up or you’re ready for a new place to call home, packing is often the least anticipated task. If packing gives you anxiety, here are some tips to make the process easier and more effective.

Packing Essentials

Having the right supplies before you start is crucial for an efficient process. Here are a few must-haves:

• Moving boxes and storage containers
• Box cutter or scissors
• Packing tape
• Blankets or furniture pads for fragile pieces
• Bubble wrap and packing paper for glassware
• Colored markers for labeling

3 Tips to Make Packing Up Your Home Easy

1. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter

Moving is the perfect time to tackle decluttering. As you pack, go room by room and remove expired, damaged, worn, stained, or out-of-style items. This step simplifies the entire process and reduces the load.

2. Organize and Sort

Organization is key. Get a head start by sorting your belongings, donating or selling unused items, and grouping your things in one place for easier packing.

3. Color-code and label.

After sorting your items into boxes, label them clearly so you can easily find things while unpacking. Use colored markers to differentiate boxes—kitchen supplies, bedroom items, closet essentials, etc. You can also list specific contents on each side of the box for more detail.

Packing Room by Room

To avoid missing any must-have items, pack room by room. This will create a stress-free routine.

Living Room and Den

Since these spaces are heavily used, consider waiting until a few weeks before moving day to pack. When ready, remember to:

• Wrap mirrors, wall art, and fragile decor.
• Box pillows and curtains.
• Shrink-wrap furniture, like sofas and chairs.
• Roll up and tape area rugs.
• Carefully wrap TVs and electronics.

Bedroom and Bathroom

These areas are likely in use until the day of the move, so pack them last:

• Leave clothes on hangers and place them in boxes.
• Pack shoes in their original boxes or storage containers.
• Use blankets to protect mattresses.
• Store bedding in trash bags to keep it clean.
• Keep loose jewelry with you, not in the moving truck.
• Wrap bath decor in towels.
• Pack toiletries and medications separately.

Kitchen and Pantry

Packing the kitchen can be overwhelming, but these steps will help:

• Secure silverware and knife blocks with shrink-wrap.
• Box appliances like microwaves and blenders in their original packaging, if possible.
• Pack cleaning supplies last for easy access.
• Place paper wrap inside pots before stacking them.

Laundry Room

The laundry room is typically easier to pack:

• Hire professionals to transport heavy washing machines and dryers.
• Pack laundry detergent, cleaners, and other supplies, labeling the box clearly.