Moving can be a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be.
In fact, if you plan things ahead of time, stay organized, and are proactive, moving can be a breeze.
However, most people only move a few times in their life and don’t have a lot of experience packing up their entire homes.
Therefore, if you’re not quite sure where to begin this seemingly arduous process, don’t feel bad.
We’re here to help.
Keep reading for our top tips on how to pack for a local move.
1. Schedule a Moving Service as Soon as Possible
Unless you’re planning on rounding up a few trucks from friends and family members, you’re most likely going to want to hire a local moving service to help get your possessions to your new home.
While it might be cheaper to find non-professional help and volunteers, this option often results in damaged or lost items.
There are also other things to consider, such as heavy, awkward, and otherwise difficult-to-move objects.
For example, most people wouldn’t know where to start moving a grand piano.
To avoid damaging your home and possessions (or injuring yourself), we recommend checking out these local movers.
They can do all the heavy-lifting while maximizing care and safety.
2. Figure Out if You’re Going to Need Temporary Storage
Another important tip on how to pack for a local move is to plan ahead for storage.
For example, if you need to move out of your old home but your new home isn’t ready, you’re going to need a place to store your stuff.
Fortunately, many moving companies also provide temporary storage.
If you need it, ask the moving company if that’s something they provide.
If not, you can also ask friends or family members if you can take up some space in their garage for a few days or weeks.
3. Start Collecting Boxes Now
One of the most important moving tips is to start collecting boxes as soon as you know you’re going to move.
Some moving companies provide boxes and even pack and unpack your items for you.
However, if this isn’t an option you’re taking, you need to get your own boxes.
You can buy boxes from local moving companies or start collecting them from around town.
Making sure you have enough boxes for all of your stuff is vital for moving day.
4. Declutter and Downsize
One of the best things you can do to make your move easier is downsizing your belongings ahead of time.
Moving to a new house gives you a chance to start fresh and clean.
Take this opportunity to declutter your life from all the stuff you no longer want, need, or use.
For example, most people only use about 20% of their wardrobe on a regular basis.
Go through each room and thoroughly evaluate your items.
You can sell, donate, or throw away things that are no longer necessary.
Packing will be much easier if you significantly downsize your home.
5. Invest in Packing Material to Keep Your Fragile Items Safe
Once again, if you choose not to use movers or they’re not boxing things up for you, you’re going to have to invest in moving materials like packing paper, packing peanuts, tape, etc.
These things are absolutely vital for making sure your delicate or fragile items get from point A to point B unharmed.
6. Begin Packing Up Non-Essentials
As soon as you get boxes, we recommend boxing up non-essential rooms and items.
For example, pack up spare bedrooms, out-of-season clothing, decor items, storage items, etc.
In this way, you can gradually pack up your home, rather than saving it all for moving day.
This will be much less stressful for you and everyone else involved.
7. Keep Your Boxes Organized
One of the most important tips on how to pack for a local move is to label your boxes and keep them organized.
However, this doesn’t mean packing all like-items together. Instead, pack boxes based on rooms.
Keep each room’s items together so you don’t have to sort everything out when you get to your new home.
As such, it’s important to pack for the house your moving to, rather than the house you’re leaving.
8. Use Plastic Wrap or Bags for Any Liquids
One of the worst things that can happen during a move is a spill that damages or completely ruins other items.
This often happens with things like dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo bottles, etc.
To avoid these issues, we recommend sealing all liquids with an extra layer of plastic.
You can use plastic wrap, plastic shopping bags, or Ziploc bags to keep liquids from escaping, should anything spill
9. Don’t Do It Alone
One of the most practical packing tips for moving is to recruit people to help you.
If you live in a household with other people, you’ll naturally have help around to share the load.
However, if you live alone or the other people in the house can’t help, you shouldn’t attempt to do it alone.
Get friends and family members to donate some of their time.
It’s okay to ask for help, just make sure you buy everyone lunch or show your appreciation in another way.
10. Set Aside a Box of Necessities
Finally, one of the last tips on how to pack for a local move reminds you to plan for emergencies.
We recommend putting a box or bag aside full of necessities in case something unexpected comes up.
This box should contain a couple of days of clothes, hygiene items, and other things you might need, should something happen to interrupt the move.
Pack as you would for an overnight trip and keep this box with you in your personal vehicle to make sure you have easy access to it.
Looking for More Tips on How to Pack for a Local Move and Other Lifestyle Advice?
As we noted before, just because moving is a bit tedious, it doesn’t mean it has to be stressful.
Follow the tips on how to pack for a local move listed above to optimize your moving experience and reduce any anxiety that comes with taking this major step in your life.
And if you’re looking for more lifestyle advice, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go.
Our blog was designed to help people in everyday life, whether we’re talking about moving, work, relationships, or finance.