Whether you’re about to move for the first time, or you’ve done it before, you know that it will be tricky to remember everything you want to take with you without following a proper packing guide. Making a packing list is one of the first things you want to do once you set a date for your move, so we decided to show you how to do it.
Where to start, and what to wrap up first? There are so many items in your home that it may seem like an impossible mission to have it all packed in time for the moving day. If you feel like panic is about to overwhelm you, take a deep breath. There’s nothing to worry about – we have your back. In this article, we explained how to plan to wrap up your belongings properly. So, keep reading to find out all the answers.
Why Should You Make a Packing List for a Move?
You may ask yourself why you require a checklist. Can’t you just wing it? Is all that organization and planning necessary for an efficient move? We can tell you that, without any doubt, a well-planned move is a lot simpler than the one you just quickly planned without giving it a second thought. Guide to packing for a move is as essential as a detailed moving to-do list, so you better not skip those steps simply because you were too lazy, or you were planning a move in a hurry – not even that is a good enough reason not to write down checklists.
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To have a clearer view of everything that needs to be packed before the big day, we suggest you have a few separate lists. It’s going to make things easier because a lengthy checklist is easy to get lost in. You don’t need additional moving stress, trust us. Just make sure you divide tasks ahead of you by room – one list for the kitchen, one for the living room, and so on. You can thank us later once you settle down in your beautiful new Bay Area town.
Before You Start to Pack, Declutter Home and Gather All the Necessary Supplies
You can’t do anything without moving boxes and other supplies. Before you get to work, however, you should know what you wish to take with you. That’s why moving is a perfect chance to get rid of stuff we no longer use. As it is known, the decluttering stage consists of going through room by room and deciding what to throw away, donate, or keep. You can donate unwanted items at one of many donation centers in San Francisco, such as Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, Building Resources, or Salvation Army. Also, try to recycle whatever you can – throwing away stuff should be the last resort.
Which Supplies Will You Need to Pack Your Belongings?
Not all things can be packed the same. You can’t use the same padding materials or wrap different stuff the same way. Of course, it would be good if you learned a few moving hacks. That way, you would pack faster. There are many brilliant tips and tricks out there, try to use as many as you can. Here’s which materials you’ll need to handle everything, from wrapping dishes to figuring out how to pack electronics for moving.
- Moving boxes,
- Tape and a tape gun,
- Markers,
- Paper,
- Bubble wrap,
- Padding materials,
- Dolly and ropes,
- Moving blankets,
- Plastic wrap.
After you gather all of that, slowly start to fill up boxes. There’s no reason to rush if you start weeks ahead of the move. One month before the moving day is approximately the best starting point, so you should be fine if you begin filling boxes then. But, keep in mind that’s not the only task you have to finish – organizing important documents and keeping track of your expenses checklist are only one of many other things to do before moving. If you wish to see what else is there to do before you head to one of the best places to live in the Bay Area, check out the video below and learn all about the moving timeline.
It’s Always Better to Start With Non-Essentials
If you wish to be smart about the move, you’ll begin by wrapping non-essential belongings that you can survive without for a few weeks. Those include stuff like books, decorations, or paintings. Plus, there’s stuff from your basement, attic, or garage. Just be sure not to tackle everything at once. For example, you can start with wrapping books since that’s relatively easy, or you can box up candles. After you’re done with that, continue with paintings and decorations such as mirrors and vases. Also, now it would be good to remember the most commonly forgotten things to pack – it is better to handle those now than forget about them altogether.
Clothes and Shoes Are Up Next
It may sound counterproductive to box up all of your clothing, let’s say two weeks before the moving day – what will you wear then? Well, you probably won’t need to wear every single piece of clothing you own in those short few weeks. So, be sure to set aside some of the comfy essentials you will use and get to figuring out how to wrap clothes for moving.
First, Take Care of Seasonal Clothes You’re Not Wearing Right Now
Since the moving season is in the summer, we assume the move will be on a hot, sunny day. You won’t require a jacket or a sweater, so start boxing up winter clothing first. On the other hand, if you move during the winter., summer clothing is the first to go inside the box. The same rule should apply to shoes. That being said, you should know how to wrap shoes for moving correctly so your favorite pair doesn’t get damaged on the road to the new home.
How Do You Wrap Up Clothing Properly?
If we are honest, this isn’t a challenging task. Clothing can’t break, so besides making sure the boxes are clean, dry, and layered with paper, there’s not much to do. If you wish to use some of your old T-shirts as a protective material for wrapping plates, set them aside – we know this sounds weird, but it is one of the most common moving tips out there, and it works pretty well in case you lack wrapping paper or bubble wrap.
Also, keep in mind that you shouldn’t fill suitcases with clothing, as you usually would when going on a trip. They are better used for books since they are strong and can carry a lot of weight. When it comes to folding techniques, your choices are flat fold, military rolling method, and the KonMari fold. If you decide to go with the last option, check out the video below to see how Marie Kondo folds clothing.
Now It’s Time to Wrap Up Furniture – Start From the Living Room
Following the pattern of wrapping non-essentials first, you should wrap the furniture in the living room before covering the bed with protective materials. How do you prepare furniture for transport? It is essential to cover every piece with moving blankets or plastic wrap, depending on the material you decide to go with. Since you’re already in the living room, go ahead and wrap a TV for a move, and it would also be a good idea to wrap other electronics. Of course, the laptop will be by your side all through the move, and there is no reason to box it up, but you can wrap a computer.
What to Do If You Can’t Fit All of Your Furniture in Your New Place?
This is a common concern. Many people move from house to apartment, or simply can’t arrange the furniture the same way they did in the old place. Maybe old pieces won’t fit the style you’re going for. You can sell the stuff you no longer require, but if you are a bit sentimental and wish to keep it for the future, we have a simple solution for you – storage lockers. Our moving company in Bay Area can offer you the proper size unit, and all of your worries will go away. Also, our movers can provide excellent in- and-out-of storage relocation service.
Leave the Kitchen and the Bathroom for Last
These rooms are best left to be packed last. You have to eat something or have a coffee in the morning, and you can’t do that if you have packed glasses weeks before the move. So, put this off for as long as you can, but know that you will require more than a few hours to wrap all your kitchenware. Besides dishes, there are kitchen appliances to think of, and you must also clean out the fridge and freezer. Remember that food is one of the things movers won’t move, so you shouldn’t waste your energy wrapping it up. You can donate anything that’s left – it is the easiest solution, plus you would do a good deed.
Don’t Overpack Boxes – They Would Be Hard to Carry
Dishware is extremely heavy. Even though you may have packed pots and pans correctly, you will be in a bit of trouble if the box is overpacked. There is always a possibility of your packages falling open when lifted off the ground. Imagine all those plates and glasses breaking into a million tiny pieces. It would be a nightmare, especially if the stemware gets broken. Believe us when we say that shopping for dishes is one of the things to do after moving that you genuinely wish to avoid.
Remember to Leave Aside Some Essential Hygiene Products
When you start to clean out stuff from the bathroom, remember to leave aside the toothbrush, paste, and other necessary hygiene products you wish to have at hand right after the move. You wouldn’t want to find yourself in the position where you have to unpack a dozen boxes so you can find a toothbrush. These essentials should go in the essentials bag.
Don’t Forget to Prepare an Essentials Bag
The preparations are coming to an end. You have read through all of San Francisco tenants’ rights, and you have successfully filled a rental application. Now you are finally starting to relax since the move will be over pretty soon – maybe you can begin planning a staycation in San Francisco to reward yourself for all the hard work you have done in the last couple of months. But, try not to get too carried away. There’s still stuff to do before your Bay Area movers show up. The last thing to be packed up is an essentials bag – you should prepare it an evening before the move. What should go inside?
- Basic hygiene products,
- Medications,
- Laptop, phone, and their chargers,
- Important documents,
- Valuable belongings such as jewelry,
- Snacks and water bottles,
- Cash to tip the movers.
Contact Our Bay Area Moving Company if You Are Looking For the Best San Francisco Movers
Although it’s essential to get everything packed the right way, that won’t mean much if you don’t hire the right Bay Area movers. Our team is experienced in residential moving, and we are undoubtedly one of the top choices for moving services in The Bay. With us, nothing is complicated – not even moving a piano or carrying furniture to the truck – our team has no problem lifting and moving large items. Your moving day will be relaxing and over quickly if you let us handle everything. That’s a promise.
If you don’t wish to bother wrapping up your home independently, we can offer you some help. Our packers and movers can take care of even the most fragile items in your household. You’ll have your belongings packed safely and professionally, plus you will save a lot of time – enough to organize an epic moving away party, for example. However, we understand that some people like to handle things independently, so we also have a labor-only service to offer our customers. For both house and apartment moving, our movers in Bay Area will be there for you. All you have to do is contact us, and we will make your local move an experience to remember.