20 packing tips for anyone who’s moving house this year

They say that moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. But it doesn’t have to be. Here we look at 20 packing tips for moving house

Whether you’re moving from rental to rental, or into your forever home, there’s no doubt the process of moving is a pain in the rear.

Not only does it take a long time to sort things into bags and boxes, but you also have the dread of unpacking everything later. Which box did I leave my hairdryer in? Where did the cutlery go? Why is the TV remote no longer with the TV? Of course I put all the hefty items into the one box so that it’s now too heavy to lift…

The process becomes even more tricky when you have to unassemble (and then reassemble) flatpack furniture. “I know I left the screws and dowels around here somewhere… but where?”

Luckily, Twitter users from around the globe have shared their top tips for packing to move. Some recommend using the big, blue bags from Ikea because they don’t take up much space when folded. One person tweeted, “If you need to disassemble anything, please for the love of God, duct tape the screws and any other related hardware you take out TO the actual item they go to. Just trust me.”

Another suggested, “Colour-coded tape to help the movers know which boxes go where. I tape the colour tape to the door or location where the boxes should end up. It affords me the space to stay out of their way and focus on other things during the move.”

Packing tips for moving house

Those big blue bags from Ikea. They’re huge, don’t take up much space when folded, and can be used over and over. I’ve used them for 4 different moves now

— Lil Pistol Starter (@PaigeUnabridged) November 6, 2019

I like using my clothes to protect my dishes instead of news paper haha ?

— Yuffieh (*´???) (@yuffieh_) November 6, 2019

Color coded tape to help the movers know which bins and boxes go where. I tape the color tape to the door or location where the boxes should end up. It affords me the space to stay out of their way and focus on other things during the move.

— unapologeticallyHEATHER (@the_real_HT) November 6, 2019

Wrap a bunch of clothes on hangers in sheets!

— Kalei (@kalei_lagunero) November 6, 2019

Also a life saver. pic.twitter.com/89iGvwyRC0

— Yangel Pants (@thegirllogan_) November 6, 2019

Vacuum sealed bags are a huge space saver!
Purge what you can now – shred papers, donate, etc.
Before buying boxes, check out retail stores to see if they have any they plan on throwing out/recycling.

— Briana the Unbowed (@HunniB_Rose) November 6, 2019

If you have a lot of books or other heavy items, fill boxes with them only halfway, and then fill the rest of the space with something light like pillows or sweaters.

— Scenic Oakland (@ScenicOakland) November 6, 2019

I’ve found that shoeboxes are perfect for moving books

— Hoemione Gaynger (@isthismykink) November 7, 2019

For framed artwork that’s poster sized and larger, shipping boxes for bicycles are the jam. Most bicycle shops keep a few empty boxes on hand and 99.99% of the time they should be free. They even have built in handles. Just ask your local shop for a “bike box” and they’ll know.

— Todd Munson (@themunson) November 6, 2019

I take out the drawers and carry them separately like boxes, also reduces the weight of the dressers.

— MN_Michele (@MN_DIYmom) November 6, 2019

Use towels to cover your plates and pans. Decreases plastic use (bubble wrap) and pack both at the same time. https://twitter.com/mayasworld/status/1192095292897812481

— Yangel Pants (@thegirllogan_) November 6, 2019

Use socks to wrap glasses. Put spices or small food items in crockpot, blender, etc. “utilize existing real estate space”
Garbage bags for clothes (use hair ties to corral the hangers). Towels in between dishes or breakable. Clothes to wrap round vases, fragile

— Laura Ann (@Laura_404) November 6, 2019

If you need to disassemble anything, please for the love of god, duct tape the screws and any other related hardware you take out TO the actual item they go to. Just trust me.

— NebraskaFeminists (@NebFeminists) November 6, 2019

Take photos of everything before you disassemble it and Yes, tape a ziplock with the screws and bits to the item!

I own a lot of Ikea furniture and have moved many times.

— CantabKitty BSc (@CantabKitty) November 6, 2019

Sentimental and valuable objects. Don’t trust anyone with a single bag or box with your whole life in it. Keep them along with your certificates, documents, heirlooms and photographs safe and with you throughout the move. Also prepare an emergency bag, essentials and first aid.

— Kevin Donnelly (@KevinDonnellySY) November 7, 2019

Also, pack a 3 day bag with of course your toiletries and linen. Also add eatery (Tupperware, forks, spoon) in it.

— Yangel Pants (@thegirllogan_) November 6, 2019

One box should travel in your own car with necessities such as two changes of clothes, jacket, granola bars, water, etc. just in case. Also, a case of water and pizza for the moving people!

— Kathleen Smith (@MrsDrAtlantis) November 7, 2019

My furniture isn’t fancy. I sharpie little notes to the underside for how to reassemble it. E.g. the Ikea Poang armchair where all the holes look the same except 2 specific ones need the longer screws and I’ll forget which unless i label it.

— CantabKitty BSc (@CantabKitty) November 6, 2019

Hire movers, label your boxes and put them in the correct room once you move in, and finally (mostly importantly) don’t judge yourself when you are still living out of boxes for several months after you move it. It happens to the best of us lol

— Meredith Reynolds (@CurlyIdealist) November 6, 2019

my # 1 moving tip is to set up your bed first. Get the bed where you want it and make it. So when you’re ready to collapse, you can. Good luck.

— Sharon H. (@ReadingChick) November 6, 2019

Photo: Ikea

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