Looking for some packing tips for moving? We’re sharing our tried and true moving tips!
Isn’t moving a hassle?
This can be one of the most stressful times in life, and I know because I’ve moved so many times myself! I’ve compiled my best packing and moving tips and strategies to save time and money, especially with a family.
To help make this process easier, here are some packing tips for moving:
1. Have a yard sale or garage sale prior to moving to get rid of unused or unwanted items.
This is one of my favorite moving tips; it’s such a good way to purge items I no longer need. In the end, I donate the things that don’t sell. The fewer items you have to move, the easier and less expensive the move will be! I have to keep telling myself this as I tend to hold onto my kids’ stuff.
2. Create a packing checklist.
Once you rid of the unnecessary items, it’s time to keep track of everything you want to bring. Your memory may not be the most reliable source when it comes to organization, so it’s best to create a list to make sure you’re ahead of the game and keep packing on track.
3. Make a plan and a moving timeline.
This seems like common sense, but the farther ahead you start purging unwanted items and packing, the easier things will be on moving day. Instead of leaving all the packing for the last minute, set a goal of “X” amount of moving boxes packed per day before moving. Make checklists for all the small details like setting up new utilities and change of address forms.
Hip Tip: Try using this simple FREE printable checklist from Martha Stewart!
4. When packing up moving boxes, assign a different color of duct tape to each room so boxes are easier to identify.
Throughout this last move, I really focused on being more organized – this colored duct tape is a great time saver during the unloading process as you can quickly identify where each box should be placed.
5. Pack a clear “First Day Essentials” bin filled with the things you’ll need most as soon as you arrive at your new home.
As an example, I filled a clear bin with trash bags, box cutters, scissors, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, paper cups, disposable silverware, hand soap, and dish soap. I also fit my Keurig and K cups in here for coffee the first morning, as coffee is essential to me. ☕️ I made sure to place this bin in my car so there was no chance of it getting lost among the boxes.
6. Set a timer to pack a short amount a day!
Once you pack all of the big essentials, it can get pretty overwhelming to collect all the smaller things. If you have a schedule, try packing for an hour, or however long you need, a day based on the time frame. This will allow you to collect everything in a timely and organized manner.
7. Use plastic wrap or paper and tape to wrap silverware trays.
This keeps all your flatware together and makes unpacking a breeze! Plus, there will be no damage to any of your utensils.
8. Use large Ziploc bags to keep kitchen and bathroom drawer items together.
It’s so much easier to unpack when all the small drawer items are together – plus using clear bags allows you to see everything inside immediately.
9. Pack spices in a large slow cooker or pot to save space in the moving vehicle.
When it comes to packing tips for moving, small items like spices can easily be lost in transit. This tip can be applied to any large item like baskets, trash cans, etc. Fill up their empty space with smaller items.
10. Use cardboard dish pack partitions to pack breakables.
They are perfect to insert inside moving boxes and protect glass cups and dishes from breaking. Find these at your local U-Haul, Staples, or even sometimes on Craigslist.
11. Check out liquor/wine stores for free boxes!
Oftentimes, these boxes are very sturdy and have separators already, which are great for packing glassware and any valuables. When it comes to moving tips, this is essential!
12. Wrap organizing bins before packing.
If you already have items organized in bins like these toys, just use plastic wrap to secure them before packing. Then you don’t have to re-organize when you unpack.
13. Roll up small clothing items like socks to support breakables.
Fragile items are always the trickiest to pack. If you’re scared they may break en route, my Hip sidekick Madison recommends rolling up some socks and scarves to use as support around your breakables. Plus, why pay for bubble wrap when you can use your own items?
Similarly, you can put towels in between glass bakeware items to ensure extra security against inevitable shifting!
14. Tape off all items that can spill like shampoo, cleaners, cooking oils, etc. to avoid a mess while moving.
There’s nothing worse than a random household item spilling or leaking. Taking the time to tape everything shut is so worth it! This strategy works well for packing pantry food items and bathroom toiletries to avoid spills inside moving boxes.*
*If using a professional moving company, make sure to check which liquids you can actually take on the truck.
15. Use a trash bag to pack hanging clothing quickly.
I used this method to pack my kids’ clothes, and they were a breeze to unpack. You can even organize this method by color code or seasonings!
16. Follow this 20 under $20 rule.
Our Hip sidekick Soleil follows a “20 Under $20” rule. She made a limit of at least twenty items that cost $20 or less and decided what was worth keeping or replacing. She asked herself, “Is the life of this product way past its expiration and under $20?”
It helped her cut out what was and wasn’t essential, and she just replaced anything that she didn’t feel was necessary to pack for the sake of packing. She also notes that this rule can be adjusted at any price range, like 50 items under $50; whatever makes the most sense to your budget and packing-wise!
17. Get to know stretch wrap – it’s, by far, one of my favorite packing tools!
Stretch Wrap is a giant plastic wrap that allows you to group things together like garden tools, or a stack of smaller boxes. Of course, you can also use it to wrap blankets over your furniture, too. We find it extremely helpful.
18. Buy and resell boxes and packing material on Craigslist.
There are many places to buy new boxes like U-Haul and Home Depot. Before you purchase new boxes, I encourage you to try collecting as many boxes as you can by asking friends to save boxes and asking stores if they have excess boxes that they need to dispose of.
Then try looking on websites like Craigslist for free or inexpensive moving boxes and materials. Don’t forget to break down and possibly resell boxes and packing materials after your move.
19. Label boxes based on priority.
Our Hip sidekick Madison shares that, when packing for a move, she labels boxes based on high priority, mid-priority, and low priority. Her “high priority” items included many kitchen items such as utensils. This way, she knew exactly what to unpack first!
20. Defrost, clean, and dry your fridge/freezer at least a day before you move.
Placing towels on the floor around the bottom will help soak up any dripping water. To help minimize food waste, start using the odds and ends of your fridge in your meal planning a couple of weeks before moving.
21. Use vacuum storage bags to maximize your storage space.
You can use these Space Saver Storage Bags with your vacuum hose and it will suck all the air out. They are super handy to have around for both moving and also for storing bulky or seasonal items such as bedding.
22. Set up your bed first upon arrival at a new location.
You don’t want to be searching for sheets after moving all day! Also, a shower curtain, shower curtain rings, and towels would be a priority as well. Trust me, this will be a lifesaver!
23. Make sure you keep a toolbox handy in your car/truck to assemble any furniture.
Or make it the last item to be packed so it’s the first off the truck.
24. Keep furniture hardware together.
Use plastic food storage bags to keep small pieces of hardware. Then make sure to tape the bag to the piece of furniture or item it corresponds to.
25. Use any extra rolling suitcases to pack heavy items such as books.
Boxes tend to tear when too heavy, and suitcases work well for bulky or heavy things. This is such a genius packing tip for moving to take advantage of otherwise wasted space!
26. Take a picture of the back of your electronics before packing them up.
This will make it easier to put it together when you arrive at your new location.
27. Label your chords and chargers.
You may think you know all your chargers and what they do, but moving pretty much throws a wrench in all that information.
28. Keep clothes inside the dresser during moving.
If you have to take out drawers to get them in the moving truck, do that, and then put the drawers back inside the dresser once on the truck. A good way to keep the doors closed and protected is to wrap the entire dresser in Stretch Moving & Packing Wrap.
29. Keep track of your moving expenses.
Some of your expenses may be tax-deductible, which can be a huge benefit when completing taxes!
30. Arrange your next grocery pickup or have them delivered to your new address!
Even if you typically enjoy grocery shopping yourself, moving is an exhausting process; take one workload off yourself by allowing someone else to grocery shop on your behalf!
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