Whether you’re simply moving from one Gainesville neighborhood to the next, or you’re coming here from the other side of the country, the transition can be smooth, seamless, and enjoyable!
The key is knowing how to pack properly ahead of time so that when the big day comes, everything is in place and ready to go. While it sounds simple in theory, we know that moving homes can be more chaotic than most families expect.
Today, we’re sharing a few tips to keep in mind when packing for a move. By following these strategies, you can make the process less stressful and be ready to settle in as soon as you arrive!
Gather Your Supplies First
If you’re planning to move to Gainesville, one of the first things we recommend doing is gathering all of your packing supplies. As early as possible, make sure you have all of the following materials ready:
- Boxes in a variety of sizes
- Strong packing tape
- Utility knives and scissors
- Plastic bags to store small items
- Permanent markers to label boxes
- Moving blankets for extra padding
- Bubble wrap or newspaper for fragile items
- Handcart to transport bulky furniture and appliances
Make a Checklist
Moving houses isn’t a process you want to undergo without a strategy in place. As soon as you know you’re going to be relocating, take the time to create a schedule to organize your next steps.
If you have months to plan, use that preliminary time to sort through and purge some of your belongings. You can also research movers, organize school records, and start packing up some of the items you use infrequently.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a comprehensive checklist of everything you should have in place before your move. We recommend storing loose items like receipts and estimates in a binder so all of your important documents are in one place.
Cut Back on Clutter
Want to make moving day as easy as possible? Don’t take anything you don’t absolutely need or want to keep. As you begin to pack up your house, take a close look at everything before putting it into a box or bag.
If you haven’t used it in a year or it doesn’t have any sentimental value, consider donating it, recycling it, or throwing it away. This will help you cut back on the number of boxes you need to pack and lets you start with a clean slate as you settle into your new space.
With fewer unnecessary items to unpack, the moving process will go much faster. This way, you’ll be free to start enjoying local activities as soon as you arrive!
Pack Low-Use Items First
When you’re in the middle of a move, you don’t want to search through a dozen boxes just to find the can opener. Leave all of your smaller, daily-use items out until the last minute, so they’re still within reach.
In the meantime, go ahead and pack up the pieces that you don’t use as often, including off-season clothing and decor. This will get them out of sight and out of mind, so there’s less to do down the road!
The night before you move, leave out a small bag of essentials. This includes your toothbrush, toiletries, and a change of clothes. When everything else is packed away, you’ll be glad you have just what you need.
Follow a Strategy
Some homeowners find it easiest to pack their boxes by room. For instance, all of your bedding, dresser accessories, and nightstand items will go into the “Bedroom” box.
Others prefer to pack everything by use. This might mean going through the kids’ desks and home office to gather all of the school supplies, for example. There isn’t a wrong or right way to approach this process, but it’s important to establish some type of strategy before you begin packing.
Think about what makes the most sense for you and your family, and follow those same steps as you work from space to space. As you pack each box, use your marker to label it with the room it should go in. That way, it can be placed in the right spot as you unpack.
Don’t Leave Gaps
If you’re using a big box to pack multiple items, try to fill in the empty spaces with dish towels, clothing, or packing paper. This helps keep everything secure and prevents items from knocking against one another. It also makes the box easier for your movers to handle and transport.
If you still have the original boxes that your items came in, use those materials to pack them up. They’re properly sized and are easy to identify. This is especially helpful for your shoes, appliances, and heavier furniture items.
Here’s a helpful guide that shows how to pack a moving box the right way, no matter which room you’re in or what you’re storing.
Use a Color Coding System
When making your moving plans, consider adding a color coding system! For example, you can color-code your boxes by room, so it’s easier to see where everything goes.
On a more detailed level, you can also add small pieces of colored tape to the wires of your electronics as you disassemble them. This way, you’re not stuck in your new home, trying to figure out which cord goes to which device. Another tip is to take a picture of your electronics when they’re still fully assembled, so you’ll have an image to go by when it’s time to put them back together.
Keep Valuables Secure
From expensive, heirloom jewelry to special family photos and sensitive documents, keep all of your valuables on you and do not load them into the moving box. This way, you can rest assured that they won’t get lost, taken, or misplaced.
Follow These Tips When Packing for a Move
Moving to Gainesville can be exciting and enjoyable, even if you do have your whole house to pack up first. While this process can seem daunting, it’s easier to manage when you have a plan in place. If you’re packing for a move, these tips can help you optimize your time and keep everything in order as you work through each room.
Looking for a place to put down roots in our beautiful city? We’re here to help you settle in! Feel free to browse our available rentals and reach out to our team to learn more.
