10 General Tips for

MOVING and PACKING

Whether it’s your first move or your tenth, a little strategy goes a long
way toward making the process smoother. Here are ten tried-and-true
tips to keep your move organized from start to finish.

1. Start Packing Early

Give yourself more time than you think you need. Non-essential items
— off-season clothes, books, decor — can be packed weeks in advance,
leaving only the daily essentials for the final days.

2. Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of things you don’t use.

Sort items into keep, donate, sell, and toss piles before boxes ever come
out — you’ll pack less, carry less, and unpack less.

3. Label Every Box Clearly

Write the destination room and a brief contents summary on every
box, on multiple sides if possible. This saves enormous time both for
you and anyone helping carry boxes into the new place.

4. Pack an “Open First” Box

Fill one box with essentials you’ll need immediately: toiletries, phone
chargers, basic tools, a change of clothes, and any medications. Keep
it with you rather than on the truck so you’re not digging through
everything on night one.

5. Use the Right Box for the Right Item

Heavy items like books belong in small boxes so they stay manageable; lighter, bulkier items like linens or pillows can go in larger ones. Overpacked boxes are a common cause of both injuries
and box failures.

6. Wrap Fragile Items Individually
Dishes, glassware, and decor should each be wrapped separately in packing paper or bubble wrap, then packed vertically (like records) rather than stacked flat when possible — this distributes pressure
more evenly.

7. Take Photos of Electronics Before
Unplugging

A quick photo of the cable setup behind your TV or computer saves
guesswork later. Keep cables bundled and labeled with tape so you’re
not untangling a mystery knot on the other end.

8. Don’t Leave Drawers and Furniture
Fully Empty

Many dressers and cabinets can travel with lighter items still inside —
this saves box space and packing time. Just make sure nothing fragile
or liable to shift is left loose.

9. Protect Floors and Furniture Corners

Furniture sliders, moving blankets, and corner protectors prevent
scuffed floors and dinged walls, especially in hallways, stairwells, and
doorways where turns are tight.

10. Do a Final Walkthrough Before You
Leave

Check closets, cabinets, behind doors, and under furniture before you
go. It’s easy to forget items in less obvious spots, and a five-minute
walkthrough beats discovering it later.

Bottom line: Good moves aren’t about working harder — they’re
about a little upfront organization. Start early, pack smart, and give
yourself the tools to make moving day as painless as possible.