Pack With a Plan. Move Stress-Free.

Packing tends to take longer than expected, especially when you're sorting through years of belongings.

Instead of trying to pack your entire home in one stretch, break the work into manageable sessions.

Start with items you don't use every day, then work toward the things you use regularly.

A simple approach is:

• First: Seasonal and rarely used belongings
• Next: Decorative items and extras
• Then: Most household belongings
• Last: Things you need during the final days in your current home

The earlier you begin, the less likely you'll find yourself rushing through everything right before the movers arrive.

Keeping belongings from the same area together can make your new home easier to organize.

Rather than creating a box filled with unrelated items, try grouping things according to where they belong.

For example:

• Kitchen
• Primary bedroom
• Bathroom
• Home office
• Living room
• Garage
• Storage areas

This gives you a simple starting point when it's time to decide where each box should go in your new home.

Tip: If your new home has a different layout, don't feel obligated to recreate the exact same setup. Use the move as an opportunity to rethink where things make the most sense.

Not everything should be packed the same way.

Think about the size, weight, and shape of what you're putting inside before filling a box.

Smaller boxes

Useful for heavier items such as books, canned goods, or small tools.

Medium boxes

A practical choice for many everyday household belongings.

Larger boxes

Better suited for lighter items that take up more space.

Avoid making boxes unnecessarily heavy. A box that is difficult to lift can become difficult to handle safely during the move.

Boxes with too much room inside can allow belongings to shift during transportation.

After placing your items inside, check for significant gaps and use appropriate cushioning material where needed.

At the same time, avoid forcing too many belongings into one box.

A well-packed box should be secure without being overloaded.

Glassware, dishes, electronics, artwork, mirrors, and other delicate belongings deserve additional care.

Use suitable protective materials and avoid allowing fragile pieces to move freely inside their boxes.

When possible:

• Cushion individual fragile pieces.
• Add protection between items that could scratch or collide.
• Keep heavier objects toward the bottom.
• Don't overfill fragile-item boxes.
• Clearly identify boxes containing delicate belongings.

For particularly valuable or delicate items, consider discussing the best handling approach with your moving company ahead of time.

Furniture that needs to be disassembled can come with a surprising number of small pieces.

Keep screws, bolts, brackets, remotes, and other hardware organized so you aren't searching for them when it's time to put everything back together.

A small labeled bag attached to the corresponding furniture piece can help keep everything together.

For larger or more complicated furniture, take a quick photo before disassembly. It can serve as a useful reference later.

Before furniture is moved, make sure drawers, doors, and removable components are properly secured or prepared for transportation.

Don't leave loose items inside furniture simply because there appears to be extra space.

A dresser drawer full of belongings can add significant weight, while loose objects can shift during handling.

Preparing furniture properly can make it easier and safer to move.

A label doesn't need to be complicated.

Include enough information to answer two questions:

• Where does this belong?
• What's inside?

For example:

KITCHEN — COFFEE & SMALL APPLIANCES

or

PRIMARY BEDROOM — BEDDING

You can also use simple labels such as:

• Kitchen
• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Office
• Living Room
• Garage

This makes it easier to identify where boxes should go once they're unloaded.

You probably won't want to unpack every box immediately.

Set aside the things you'll need during your first evening and the following morning.

Depending on your household, that could include:

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• Toiletries
• Basic clothing
• Towels
• Bedding
• Chargers
• Coffee or other morning essentials
• Basic household supplies
• Children's necessities
• Pet supplies

Keep these items together and make sure they're easy to identify.

Your first night doesn't have to depend on finding one particular box.

Some belongings are better kept with you instead of packed onto the moving truck.

Keep personal and important items readily accessible, including:

• Identification
• Important documents
• Keys
• Medication
• Jewelry
• Financial documents
• Electronics you need throughout the day
• Phone and device chargers

If you would be uncomfortable losing access to an item for several hours, consider keeping it with you.

If you're hiring professional movers, try to have your belongings ready before the crew arrives.

The movers can then focus on safely loading and transporting your household instead of waiting while last-minute packing is completed.

Before moving day, walk through the home and check:

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• Are your belongings packed?
• Are fragile items protected?
• Are boxes labeled?
• Are important personal items separated?
• Are furniture pieces ready for moving?
• Have you identified anything that isn't going on the truck?

Having these details handled ahead of time can help the day move along more smoothly.

Some items may have special transportation requirements or may not be suitable for a moving truck.

If you're unsure about a particular item, ask your moving company before moving day rather than assuming it can be transported.

This is particularly important for items that are hazardous, unusually valuable, perishable, or otherwise restricted.

When in doubt, ask before you pack.

Before the moving crew starts loading, walk through the property one more time.

Look inside:

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• Closets
• Cabinets
• Drawers
• Storage rooms
• Garage
• Attic
• Patio or balcony

It's easy to overlook belongings when they're in less frequently used areas.

A final check can help make sure what you want to take actually makes it to your new home.

You don't have to unpack in numerical order.

Think about what you need first.

You may want to start with:

• Bedroom — So you have a place to sleep.
• Bathroom — So you can get ready comfortably.
• Kitchen — So you can prepare food and drinks.
• Living areas — Once the essentials are handled, start making the space feel like home.

Work at a pace that makes sense for you. There is no requirement to have every box empty on the first day.

Planning the rest of your move? Our Moving Tips cover what to do before, during and after moving day.