Packing your home or apartment can be one of the most stressful parts of the moving process. There’s a lot of factors that go into it, such as time management, budgeting, appropriate packing materials, and so much more. Below you’ll find 5 packing tips that will make your experience quicker, less stressful, and easier to manage 

Tip 1: Declutter - Now is a great time to get rid of that t-shirt you’ve been “saving for the right event” for the last 7 years! You’re heading into a new space and in turn,  you should shed what you no longer have a purpose for. This could mean donating old clothing to your local thrift store or tossing that Tupperware you haven’t seen the lid for in months. We tend to collect things over time that we don’t really need/use and it can make things like moving even more difficult. That’s why this is a great opportunity to tackle it now! Less to pack, less to worry about.

Tip 2: Manage Your Time - If you’re anything like me, just the thought of packing can be overwhelming. Actually getting into the process is a whole different ballpark. It is much easier to accomplish your goals when you set aside a certain amount of time each day until everything is done. This concept is called "time blocking" and the goal is to mark off this time in your calendar so you can minimize any conflicts that will delay your process. Dedicating a specific time will make it so you don’t leave everything to the last minute and you’re not trying to tackle it all at once. An hour or two a day can go a long way.

Tip 3: Label By Category - Unpacking just got way simpler! It’s good to keep your like-items together, but not so much that you’re mixing rooms. While packing, make it a point to keep things organized and labeled by room so when it comes time to unload, you know exactly where each box is going. If you have quite a bit to move this will save you a ton of time and aggravation as you begin to get situated in your new home.

Tip 4: Packing Materials - Good quality boxes and packing materials are vital when moving. We have items of all sorts, but some of them can be quite heavy/messy! It is important to get the appropriate materials to make sure  You can buy boxes and packing materials at a local hardware store, and if you need some smaller sturdy boxes, your local grocery or liquor store should have good quality boxes and plenty of them. They’re used to lug around cases and cases of food and bottles, so they should do just lovely for protecting your belongings. Additionally, you may consider buying plastic totes to help pack away some of your heavier items! It's also a good idea to invest in some woven tarps to protect your furniture while it's being transported. Your packing goal is to transport everything as easily and safely as possible.

Tip 5: Pack Things You Use The Least First - When packing, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t storing away the things you frequent most until the very end.  The packing and unpacking process can take some time, so by targeting things you use the least first, you’ll avoid having to dig through box after box trying to find your favorite shirt or that one item you really need! These are typically the essentials you can’t live without such as food, dishware, toiletries, etc.

Need help finding your new destination? Give me a call at (802) 582-1464 or email me at karissa@allburlingtonhomes.com