Moving is a trial that nearly everyone must endure, like getting a tooth pulled or driving for many hours across the nation and in areas where nothing particularly interesting can be found. It can be uncomfortable; it’s never truly enjoyable, but the end result is typically for the best. Naturally, especially with relocation plans being effective, the key is choosing a reliable service like White Glove Moving. Getting it right comes down to not making moving mistakes while setting up and preparing ahead to allow for a smooth transition.

Prep Ahead

As it turns out (and probably because nearly everyone has moved at least once in their life), there are some tried-and-true moving tips to make the whole process a little smoother. There is a big moving checklist you really need to follow if you want everything in your home as expected before, during, and after the move; another great way for dealing with change between homes is to not conform any longer.

Other lists of moving tips will cover the best way to pack a truck for moves and have checklists on services you need to cancel or prepare at your new house, as well as more mundane details like making sure our baby is napping at least once during any move (for us) so we can get something done rather than watching endless episodes of The Office until bedtime. However, the most significant moving tips might have to do with the actual process of relocating.

Moving is a scary thing: so much can go wrong. There is too much to cover, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all moving tip that will help with every single situation you might encounter during your move. Each person will have different needs or worries — for examples of how to pack china safely and more, when moving wood furniture that is valuable, glass objects transport can get very tricky, but this list serves as advice. Consider these, and have a smoother transition to your new location.

Packing Tips for Moving

1. Use the right size boxes

Pack books or other heavy items in small boxes; light ones, such as linens and pillows, should go in larger containers. Movers universally hate those boxes the size of small refrigerators crammed with weighty stuff. They not merely result in the procedure being harder but also are more likely to break.

2. And suitcases

All of your baggage can (and should) be put to work. High-capacity wheeled luggage accommodates the bulkier stuff; then use weekend bags or carry-ons to cram in pillows, quilts, linens, bedding, and clothes. 

3. Heavier items on the bottom in boxes.

Even if you’re doing the loading, load your heavier items/furniture first (up front) for ballast.

4. Fill in all the boxes.

Fill any empty spaces with clothes, towels, or wrapping paper as a cushion. Loosely packed or unbalanced boxes are another reason why movers will shy away from moving.

5. Do not pack items from different rooms within the same box

This will speed up your packing and make it way easier to unpack.

6. Make sure that you label each crate with the destination room and its contents.

You and your movers will know where every box should go in your new home. By numbering each box and listing its contents in a (small) notebook, you can ensure nothing gets lost before or after the move.

7. Tape your moving boxes well

Tape the bottom and top seams with a few pieces of tape, then go One Stephipster on one of the techniques from our movers’ list: wrap all around where stress is focused, along top/bottom edges.

8. When you ship fine art, make sure to talk with your mover about crating.

The ultimate guide to packing artwork for movingurations: oil paintings should never be wrapped in ordinary paper, as they stick. What about packing pictures up when moving? When packing pictures for a move, place an X with masking tape across the glass to reinforce it and help keep it intact in case it breaks. Next, wrap the pictures in paper or bubble wrap and pack into a frame box with cardboard between each framed piece for safety.

9. The kitchen is one area that needs extra-ordinary care when you pack for moving.

The kitchen needs to be packed away, and there are many different types of items in the kitchen. How to pack dishes for moving: Wrap each dish in packing paper, then bundle up five or six with more paper. Never pack dishes flat, always on their side. Be sure to add a load of crumpled paper top and bottom as well. Nest the cups/bowls together (putting paper in between) and wrap three or four to a bunch. Put them all in dish-barrel boxes

If you have glasses to move, be sure to use a box with cardboard dividers for maximum comfort and wrap the glasses in several layers of paper.

10. Grab a cooler

If you’re not straying far and are moving with stuff in your fridge or freezer, a cooler is probably the way to go for transporting what needs it most from point A to point B. Ideally, of course, you’ll make an effort to eat down both as much as possible during the weeks leading up (who doesn’t like eating out?), but whatever’s left over can be packed at literally the last minute on packing day, such that very little thawing happens before everything finds its new spot where food properly belongs itself included). For dry goods, tape pantry items shut and secure open bottles.

11. Get your wardrobe in order

How do you pack your clothes for moving? You have a number of choices here as well—you can arrange folded clothing in cardboard boxes, load closets and packs, or you possibly even leave them inside the dresser (if it doesn’t make the drawer far too heavy). Dresses and suits: use a wardrobe box so you can hang them directly in the box. Bonus: You will never have to master hanger packing for moving!

When packing shoes for moving, you need to keep the boots from each other. Pack shoes in an individual to protect the pointed heel and buckles on other shoes; also prevent dirt from one pair getting onto your beautiful pairs. Place socks in shoes to maintain their shape.

Recycle some of this stuff to assist you in packing jewelry—forfor example, string necklaces through straws or toilet paper rolls.

12. Step-by-step guide to packing a TV for moving

TVs, like any other piece of furniture, many movers still wrap in quilted moving pads. Some plasma TVs, however, need to be transported in wooden crates if you don’t have the original box and can be damaged if flat. If you are using self-serve packing, place the TV in a box and then put that box inside another larger one after ensuring there is plenty of packing paper.

13. Cover large or expensive furniture

You can pretty much assume that professional movers will have blankets and tape for everything. Just be sure to let them know if there is anything you absolutely need wrapped. If you are moving yourself, use your rattiest blankets (maybe they might get a little dirty) or see if the local moving company rents any. Drape a blanket over that marble-topped coffee table, tape it around the sides, and then ever so gently escort it out of your pad.