No matter if you’re moving down the street or to another country, moving can be a stressful endeavor. There are many things to think about and rushing to get everything done can also result in various aspects being overlooked and even accidents and injuries. To prevent such an experience, read on for a useful guide on packing that will make your move as stress-free as possible.

Create a timeline for yourself

For starters, it’s important that you don’t rush the move. If you have plenty of time until the day of the move, make sure you create a timeline for yourself. For example, you

can set the goal of packing at least two boxes each day. Then, you need to know by which date you have to leave your current property and when you can move into the new one. That will allow you to get all documents in order and hire all the services that you might need for a smoother process.

Get rid of things you don’t need

Then, before you start packing, it’s a great idea to declutter. Go through all of your possessions and decide what you no longer need. That way, you will not spend unnecessary amounts of time packing the things you’ll have no use for in your new home. Everything from clothes and books to furniture and appliances should be considered so decide what you can sell, donate, or throw away.

Pack according to where the items will go in your new home

Once you start packing, you need a system that will make it easy to stay organized. With that in mind, it’s recommended that you group together things that will go in the same room or area in your new home. If your new living abode will have the same kind of layout, this job should be easy. On the other hand, if you plan on shuffling things around, it’s better to pack according to how you will be unpacking.

Use color to stay on top of sorting

Another packing system that will be very useful is relying on colors to stay on top of everything. For example, you can assign each person in the household a color that will be used on all the belongings that go into their room. Then, you can also have a color for your kitchen, bathrooms, home office, living room, and so on. Before you start packing, you can put stickers in the appropriate color on each item so that you know exactly where they belong.

Label every box properly

If colors don’t work for you, you can also simply label each box. Write a list of everything that is in it and stick the list to the box. You should also include in which room the box will be going so that you know exactly where to put it on the moving truck and where to take it once you’re unloading everything.

Don’t overpack boxes

Something else that you need to keep in mind when packing your boxes is that they shouldn’t be overpacked. Don’t cram everything you own in a few boxes in order to cut down on costs or try to move everything in one go. That way, you will not only run the risk of the boxes breaking and everything falling out but you might also injure yourself. If you’re not sure how to best pack everything you own, it’s also a good idea to turn to professional removalists that know exactly how to pack a box and load it onto the truck without any incidents.

Take photos of the things you disassemble

To avoid stress, you also want to take photos of the various things around the house that you will be disassembling. From your TV and home theater setup to the couch and bed, some things will need to be taken apart to be transported more easily. However, putting them back together can be a huge task if you don’t remember what goes where. So, snap a few images that will make this go smoothly.

Keep your essentials within reach

As there are things that you need to keep within reach at all times, you don’t want to pack them away with other boxes and put them onto a truck. For example, various documents and paperwork should also be in a safe and easily reached place. Then, seeing as how the move might take a few days, you also want to keep around some kitchen and bathroom essentials and pack them last. Finally, your valuables should be protected during the move as well.

Prioritize when it comes to unpacking

Finally, once you arrive at your new home, you want to prioritize the unpacking. Get the furniture and appliances where they need to go, unpack all the essentials that you packed last, and slowly start to fill out the rest of the rooms. Leave the fine details for the end as you need this space to be functional first.

Moving into a new home can be a stressful process but if you keep these tips in mind, there is no reason for your move not to go smoothly.

Author's Bio: 

My name is Ron Wolf. I’m a hobby designer and a DIY enthusiast, and, above all, a very blessed father of two. Besides that, I have a strong passion for writing. If I’m not working I enjoy being outside with my family. Hiking, bike riding, and BBQing are always a thing for me. In the evening, I like to watch documentaries or build something with kids in our lego corner.