Packing Tips for Moving | WT Movers Southeast Michigan

Create a Packing Plan That Works for You

The key to stress-free packing is breaking it down into manageable steps. Start with items you won’t need soon, like off-season clothing (think winter coats or swimsuits), then tackle storage areas such as closets, basements, or spare rooms. Work your way through the house room by room, moving from least-used to most-used spaces. Save essentials you’ll need until moving day for last.

How long will it take? That depends on your approach. Want to spread it out over weeks, or get it done quickly? Estimate your timeline by considering how much time you can dedicate daily, then work backward from your move date to set a start date. For more preparation ideas, check out our Moving Day Checklist to stay on top of every detail!

18 Expert Packing Tips to Simplify Your Move

We’ve grouped these tried-and-true tips into categories to help you stay organized and efficient. Let’s make packing as smooth as possible!

Get Started with the Basics

Invest in Quality Supplies: Good materials protect your items better. WT Movers provides premium moving blankets and shrink wrap, but you can find affordable boxes and packing paper at local stores.
Prep Your Boxes: Tape the bottom of each box securely and add a layer of crumpled packing paper for cushioning.
Make a Packing Kit: Keep tape, labels, markers, scissors, and other essentials in a portable basket for easy access.
Set Up a Packed Box Area: Choose a non-essential room to stack packed boxes, keeping your living spaces clutter-free.

Pack Smarter, Not Harder

Prevent Spills: For liquids like cleaners or toiletries, secure lids with plastic wrap and line the box with a trash bag.
Use Small Boxes for Heavy Items: Keep boxes manageable by packing heavy items like books in smaller boxes.
Maximize Space: Fill drawers with soft items like towels or sheets, and pack boxes fully to avoid moving empty space.
Group Similar Items: Organize items by where they’ll go in your new home to make unpacking easier.

Stay Organized and Safe

Label Every Box: Mark each box with its destination room on multiple sides for easy identification.
Keep Valuables Safe: Carry important documents, electronics, and valuables with you instead of loading them onto the truck.
Create a First-Night Box: Pack a box with essentials for your first day—think toiletries, clothes, and basic kitchen items.
Know What We Can’t Move: Some items can’t be transported due to safety regulations. Check WT Movers’ guidelines.
Inspect Outdoor Items: Check outdoor furniture for pests like gypsy moths, especially if moving across state lines.

Make Unpacking Easier

Photograph Setups: Take pictures of electronics or furniture setups before disassembling for easy reassembly.
Secure Hardware: Place screws and small parts in labeled plastic bags and tape them to the corresponding item.
Make Opening Boxes Easy: Place a piece of string under the tape when sealing boxes—pull to open without cutting!
Try a Number System: Number your boxes and keep an inventory list to quickly locate specific items.
Enlist Help: Packing is faster with friends or family. Gather your crew and get it done together!

Let WT Movers Handle the Packing for You

Not up for packing yourself? We’ve got you covered! WT Movers offers professional packing and unpacking services to take the stress off your shoulders. Our team will carefully pack your belongings with the same care we’d give our own, ensuring everything arrives safely. We’ll even unpack at your new home, setting up your space so you can settle in faster.

For those who want a completely hassle-free move, our VIP Copy/Paste Moving service is the ultimate solution. We’ll come in, pack everything, move it to your new home, and unpack it as close as possible to how it was in your old space—like it was copied and pasted! If you’d like to rearrange certain items, we’re happy to accommodate your preferences. With WT Movers, your move can be as effortless as you want it to be.

Packing Tips by Room

Each room has its own challenges, so we’ve tailored our advice to help you pack efficiently and safely. Here’s how to tackle the most common areas.

Living Room: Communal spaces often collect a mix of items. Sort belongings by their destination room in your new home, label accordingly, and pack carefully to keep everything safe. Focus on protecting large-screen TVs, lamps, collectibles, picture frames, and mirrors.

Kitchen: This room requires extra care due to fragile dishware, sharp objects, and small appliances. Use small boxes for heavy items like canned goods, and take time to declutter old containers or mismatched lids. Pay special attention to packing silverware, dishes, small appliances, and refrigerators.

Bedroom: Save bedrooms for last since they hold daily essentials. Pack personal items thoughtfully, focusing on beds, mattresses, shoes, and clothing to keep them organized and protected.

Bathroom: Prevent spills by securing liquids and ensure everything is dry to avoid mold. Focus on packing makeup, medicine, toiletries, jewelry, towels, and linens with care.

Office: Take your time with heavy, fragile, or important items. Keep critical documents with you, and pack books, DVDs, CDs, video games, computers, and electronics securely.

Other Items: For miscellaneous items, adapt the tips above. Pay extra attention to outdoor items like swing sets, aquariums, bicycles, washers, dryers, and toys, ensuring they’re clean and secure.

Planning to store items? Ask WT Movers about safe packing practices for storage to keep your belongings in top condition!

Unpacking with Ease

Congratulations—you’ve made it to your new home! Unpacking might seem daunting, but with a plan, it can be a breeze. Start with your first-night box and essentials, then move to high-priority rooms like the kitchen and bedrooms. Unpack room by room, using your labels to guide you, and take your time to keep things organized.

What to Do with Used Supplies: Many packing materials can be recycled or repurposed. Sort them by material and take them to a local recycling center, or get creative—use them for pet bedding, garage organization, or craft projects!

Packing Tips for Moving Like a Pro