The Golden Rule: Start Early
Begin packing 3-4 weeks before your move. Start with rooms and items you use least: guest bedroom, storage closets, seasonal items, books, and decorations. Save the kitchen, bathroom, and daily-use items for the last few days.
Room-by-Room Packing Order
- Storage areas and garage (3-4 weeks before)
- Guest rooms and spare bedrooms (3 weeks before)
- Living room decorations, books, media (2-3 weeks before)
- Closets and off-season clothes (2 weeks before)
- Kitchen (non-essentials) (1 week before)
- Bathrooms, kitchen essentials, bedrooms (1-2 days before)
Packing Tips That Actually Matter
Heavy items in small boxes
Books, canned goods, tools, and small appliances go in small boxes. A large box full of books is too heavy to lift safely and the bottom will blow out. This is the number one packing mistake.
Wrap fragile items individually
Each glass, plate, and bowl gets its own wrapping. Use packing paper, newspaper, or dish towels. Never stack unwrapped dishes. Pack glasses upright, not flat. Fill empty space with crushed paper so nothing shifts.
Use clothes as padding
T-shirts, socks, and towels make excellent padding for fragile items. Wrap picture frames in towels. Stuff socks into glasses. This saves money on bubble wrap and packing paper.
Label everything
Write the destination room and a brief description on at least two sides of every box. Use a color system: one color per room. Mark fragile boxes clearly on all sides and the top. Number boxes and keep a master list so you can verify everything arrived.
Calculate how many boxes you need.
Open Box Calculator →The Essentials Box
Pack one box last and unpack it first. This is your survival kit for the first 24 hours in your new home:
- Phone chargers and power strip
- Toiletries and medications
- Change of clothes for each person
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, box cutter)
- Snacks, water, and coffee supplies
- Important documents (lease, IDs, moving contract)
- Pet supplies if applicable
- Sheets and pillows for the first night
Label your essentials box clearly and load it last so it comes off the truck first. There is nothing worse than searching through 50 boxes for your toothbrush at midnight.