15 Essential Packing Tips For Moving House That You Need

Moving into a new house is no doubt a significant step in your life. But, as exciting as it can be, there are a lot of things that can go wrong, from forgetting daily essentials to lost valuables. But don’t panic yet. Our planning, organisation, and smart packing techniques can help save time and effort and reduce the risk of damage to your belongings.

In this blog, we will give you 15 essential packing tips for moving house that will help you smooth things out. Whether you are moving across town or to a different city, these essential packing tips will help streamline your move, keep your possessions secure, and make unpacking much easier once you settle in.

A] Pre-packing Tips

1. Start Early

Waiting until the last few days to pack everything means you will be short on time and risk leaving something behind. Packing always takes longer than expected; hence, it is best to start your planning and packing as early as possible. Begin with non-essential items like seasonal decorations, books, and rarely used kitchenware. Starting early also allows you to organise your belongings efficiently and avoid stress.

2. Declutter First

Rather than carrying everything you own with you to the new place, it is best to make your luggage as light as possible. It is amongst the most important things to do when moving house. Identify items you no longer use or need including clothes, furniture, or kitchenware. You can either donate, sell, or throw away these items. Reducing the number of items to pack saves time, money, and effort, making your move more efficient.

3. Create a Packing Plan

Following a systematic house-moving checklist helps to make the process much more streamlined and ensures you don’t forget anything. You can take one of several approaches to packing. You can either pack each room individually or pack by labels, i.e., valuables, decor, and bedding. This approach prevents chaos and makes unpacking easier.

4. Gather Packing Supplies

It is essential to have the right packing supplies, and in necessary quantities to ensure all your belongings are kept safe during the transit. Get sturdy boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap for fragile items, strong packing tape to secure boxes, and labels to identify contents. Using quality materials reduces the risk of breakage and makes the packing process more efficient. Our house removal services in Edinburgh take care of this so you don’t have to.

5. Take Inventory of Your Belongings

Before you start packing, make a detailed list of all your belongings. This helps you keep track of what you own, ensures nothing gets left behind, and makes unpacking easier. Categorise items by room or type and note down any fragile or valuable items that require extra care. Having an inventory also helps if you need to claim insurance in case of loss or damage during the move.

B] Packing Strategies To Make The Process Easier

1. Label Everything Clearly

If you don’t want the trouble of searching through every single box to find the things you need, label everything. Use a thick marker to write a clear description of the contents on each box and indicate which room it belongs to. You can also add instructions like “handle with care” or “this side up” for extra clarity.

2. Colour Code Boxes

Colour coding makes it easier to identify what each box contains. Assign a specific colour to each type of box. For example, clothes and accessories can be coded in red, while kitchenware can be coded in yellow. You don’t have to go out and find boxes of different colours; you can use coloured tape or markers to mark each box.

3. Pack an Essentials Box

Moving house can be unpredictable and chaotic; hence, it is recommended to keep your essentials separate in an easily accessible box. Essentials include everything you might need on a daily basis during your move. These include toiletries, your medications, some spare clothes, phone chargers, and snacks. 

4. Keep Important Documents Safe

One thing people often forget is that your documents are not a part of your luggage. You will require a lot of your personal documents during the move and losing any important documents can cause unnecessary stress. We recommend keeping your personal documents and house documents in a secure, easily accessible folder. Carry them with you to ensure they remain safe and within reach when needed.

5. Pack Electronics Carefully

While your phone is likely to stay in your pocket for the most part of the journey, what about the other electronics? Gadgets like laptops, desktops, and TV are expensive and fragile. Hence, they need to be packed securely. If possible, use their original packaging with protective foam inserts. If original boxes aren’t available, wrap each device in bubble wrap, pack cords separately in labelled bags, and use sturdy boxes with extra padding. 

C] Moving Day Packing Hacks

1. Pack Clothes on Hangers

Packing clothes along with the hanger is one of the best hacks for packing efficiently and quickly. You don’t have to waste time taking clothes off the hanger or putting them back on during unpacking. You can find several YouTube tutorials for packing clothes with hangers. 

2. Use Plastic Wrap for Liquids

The last thing you want is shampoo, lotion, or cleaning supplies leaking all over your packed items. To avoid spills, unscrew the cap, place a layer of plastic wrap over the opening, and screw the cap back on. For extra protection, pack liquids upright in a separate sealed bag.

3. Keep Valuables with You

Items like jewellery, sentimental keepsakes, and collectibles are too valuable to lose during the transit. Keep in a personal bag or a secure box that stays with you at all times. This ensures they don’t get misplaced or damaged.

4. Pack a First-Night Kit

The last thing you want to do is dig through boxes on your first night at the new place. Have a first-night kit that includes essentials like pajamas, toiletries, phone chargers, snacks, and basic kitchen supplies. This kit can help you relax without searching through piles of boxes

5. Label “Open First” Boxes

While you won’t need everything in the first couple of days, there are certain items that you will definitely need. Keep items like kitchen essentials, bedding, and basic tools in easy-to-access boxes. Mark these boxes as “open first” to identify them. 

Conclusion

Moving house can become a headache if done without any planning. Make sure to start early, declutter, and use effective packing strategies like labelling, colour coding, and keeping essentials handy. By following these tips, you’ll enjoy a smoother, less stressful move into your new home.

It is recommended to take assistance from a professional removals company. If you are looking for trusted and effective removals in Edinburgh, contact our team today.

Jacek Jasak

Jacek Jasak, with years of experience in the removals industry, is the founder of EH1 Edinburgh Removals. They are a trusted moving company that specialises in local and long-distance moves, offering professional packing, storage, and transportation solutions for both home and office relocations. Jacek's commitment to professionalism, efficiency, and customer satisfaction has made EH1 Edinburgh Removals a top choice for moves in Edinburgh and beyond.