How to pack your home in preparation for moving

Are you moving house? Do you want to declutter and make more space? We’ll help you prepare for the big move with our Top 10 Packing Tips below.

1. First things first. Check that your home contents insurance will cover any damage and breakages that may occur during the move.

2. Start early. Don’t let moving day slowly creep up on you, until you realise that you can’t put off packing any longer! Packing always takes longer than anticipated, particularly when you start reminiscing over old photographs stored in the attic or you realise that you need to dismantle the wardrobe and bunk beds to get them downstairs.

3. Begin at the top of the house and work your way down. If you have a loft, it’s a good idea to sort it out first.

4. Spend some time considering how you are going to pack your many possessions. Books are easy to pack but heavy to move. Valuables need careful wrapping which will take time, and as we mentioned, some furniture may need to be taken apart.

5. Consider whether you have enough boxes and storage essentials. If you’re transporting valuable, delicate items, breakables, and family heirlooms from one place to another you’ll need to use layers of newspaper, compostable fill chips and bubble wrap. Calculate how many boxes you will need and get these well in advance. Source a variety of box sizes too, and think about what else will be useful, such as strong tape, and self-seal bags for keeping nuts and bolts together. Pillows and blankets are also useful for wrapping valuables and protecting furniture prone to dents and scratches. Use sturdy packing boxes, particularly for heavier items. Boxes made from corrugated cardboard are stronger than regular ones. Also, keep the weight of all boxes to a minimum to avoid any back injuries.

6. Be ruthless when it’s time to start packing! Consider what household possessions you don’t use anymore. The less you have to transport the better. You could even hire a skip or a local waste collection service to help you get rid of unwanted items. At the very least, it’s probably a given that you could fill a few bin bags with excess belongings to donate to a nearby charity shop. You could also hold a car boot sale or sell items via an online auction site like Ebay. Once you’ve sold your goods, you can put the proceeds towards some redecorating or a new carpet.

7. Place all hazardous materials, such as paint, bleach and aerosols, into separate boxes and keep them away from the rest of your belongings. If you are moving any flammable or noxious items, these should also be carefully packed in marked boxes with appropriate warnings detailed. All your storage/moving boxes should be marked with a concise list of contents. It makes identifying which boxes go where much easier at the other end! Also remember not to completely fill large boxes, as they will be too heavy to move. Clearly label boxes that contain breakables and also those that are load bearing and can be stacked.

8. Remember to finish any laundry well before you move to avoid packing damp clothes. Keep a separate box or bag for dirty washing. Ditto any other slightly less than spotless household/garden items.

9. Think ahead. Realistically you won’t be able to unpack everything immediately after you’ve moved. Therefore, it’s worth deciding what you might need easy access to soon after you cross the threshold of your new house. Pack an ‘essentials’ box for the first night in your new home. Easy access to coffee, tea, snacks, cups and a kettle may be very welcome soon after you arrive. Ditto plates, utensils, and cleaning products. Prepare overnight bags and also ensure that there is enough toilet paper and toiletries for everyone. Other useful items that should be kept close to hand are a torch, a first-aid kit and a small tool kit.

10. Lastly, pack important documents together, such as birth and marriage certificates, and keep them in a safe place.