Start with a simple plan

• Set a packing timeline by rooms: storage areas first, daily‑use spaces last.

• Create three categories as you go: keep, donate, recycle/dispose.

• Assign a color per room (tape or stickers) to speed up delivery placement.

Get the right supplies

• Sturdy moving boxes in small, medium, and large; heavy-duty tape; dispensers; permanent markers.

• Cushioning: packing paper, bubble wrap, foam pouches; stretch wrap for drawers/doors.

• Specialty boxes: dish barrels, wardrobe boxes, TV/art crates for fragile or oversized items.

Pack by priority

• Pack rarely used items first (seasonal decor, books, archives).

• Make “open first” boxes for kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and office essentials.

• Keep a personal carry-on: IDs, medications, valuables, chargers, and a change of clothes.

Techniques that protect

• Heavier items in smaller boxes; lighter, bulky items in larger boxes.

• Cushion the bottom, wrap items individually, and fill voids to prevent shifting.

• Place weight low and distribute evenly; keep lids level so boxes stack safely.

Room-by-room guidance

• Kitchen: Use dish packs; stack plates vertically; bundle glassware in sleeves; tape knife guards.

• Living room: Wrap frames and mirrors with corner protectors; pack TVs in original or fitted boxes.

• Bedroom/closets: Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes; bag mattresses; use shoe bags to prevent scuffs.

• Bathroom: Seal liquids in zipper bags; tape caps; pack a clear tub with first‑night toiletries.

• Office/electronics: Photograph cable setups; use anti‑static bags; save screws in labeled pouches.

Label like a pro

• Mark two sides and the top: room, contents, and handling notes (e.g., “FRAGILE,” “THIS SIDE UP”).

• Number boxes per room and keep a simple inventory list in your phone for quick search.

• Add priority tags: “Open First,” “Storage,” or “Garage” to direct placement.

Keep movers efficient

• Stage finished boxes by room and stack safely with clear pathways.

• Post a simple floor plan at the new home’s entry to guide where boxes go.

• Group “do not pack/load” items in a closed, labeled space to avoid mix-ups.