Top 10 Packing Tips for a Stress-Free Move

2. Start Early. Like, Really Early.

As soon as you know you’re moving, start packing. Begin with non-essentials like holiday décor, out-of-season clothes, extra linens, books, and rarely used kitchenware. This reduces last-minute stress and gives you time to pack carefully.

If space is tight, use a portable storage unit to get packed boxes out of the way without hauling them across town.

3. Create a “Do Not Pack” Zone

Designate a space in your home for essentials and valuables that travel with you, not in the moving truck. This includes:

• Important documents (passports, titles, medical records)
• Medications
• Daily toiletries
• Chargers and electronics
• A few days’ worth of clothes
• Pet supplies
• Cleaning supplies for move-out or move-in day

This prevents you from accidentally boxing up things you’ll need before the move is over.

4. Pack by Weight and Function

Put heavier items like books or canned goods in small boxes. Lighter, bulkier items like pillows or clothes go in larger ones. This keeps boxes from becoming too heavy to carry or from falling apart.

Always place heavy items at the bottom and lighter items on top to prevent damage.

5. Use What You Already Have for Padding

Bubble wrap is great, but you don’t need to buy rolls and rolls of it. Use your towels, socks, t-shirts, and linens to wrap fragile items and fill empty spaces. This prevents shifting and saves you money on packing supplies.

6. Stick to One Room Per Box

It might seem efficient to toss random items together, but it creates chaos when you unpack. Keep items from each room in their own clearly labeled boxes. This makes setting up your new space much easier.

Label everything clearly: Include the room and a general list of contents. You can also use color-coded tape or markers to stay organized.

7. Purge Ruthlessly Before You Pack

Don’t waste time and energy packing stuff you don’t even want. Go room by room and decide what to keep, donate, trash, or sell.

Decluttering before you pack saves space, reduces moving costs, and makes unpacking faster. Do this before you start boxing things up to avoid mixing items you meant to get rid of.

8. Use Masking Tape on Glass Surfaces

For mirrors, glass table tops, or framed art, apply masking tape in an “X” across the surface. This won’t stop it from breaking, but it can help hold the shards together and reduce damage if something goes wrong.

Wrap the whole piece in bubble wrap or foam, and store it upright between soft items like mattresses or couch cushions.

9. Don’t Cheap Out on Tape

Packing tape isn’t the place to cut corners. Thin, low-quality tape will peel off or snap under pressure. Use heavy-duty tape and apply multiple strips to the top and bottom seams of every box.

Also, reinforce the bottom of every box before you pack it, even brand-new ones.

10. Use Specialty Boxes for Fragile Electronics

TVs, computer monitors, and framed artwork need extra protection. Use the original packaging if you still have it. If not, invest in a specialty TV or art box with foam or padding.

Many movers won’t even take TVs unless they’re properly boxed.

For cords: Bundle them and tape them to the back of the item they go with. That way, you’re not digging through a tangled mess later.