The best time to start packing prior to a move is typically four to six weeks before your move date, but the exact time depends on your home size, the number of possessions, and your available time. If you have a small apartment and few personal items, you can start packing two to three weeks before your relocation. However, if you live in a large family home, have several kids, numerous furniture items, and plenty of storage space, consider starting packing six to eight weeks earlier.
Declutter Before Packing
The first step should be decluttering before you put things in boxes or crates. Go through your things and decide what to take with you to the new place, what to leave behind, and what to sell, donate, recycle, or throw away. Moving is an excellent opportunity to get rid of old stuff because you have everything packed and ready to go. The fewer items you have, the less effort you need to make to relocate.
Six Weeks Before Moving: Pack Rarely Used Items
When you are about six weeks away from the moving date, start packing the seldom-used items. Things you rarely use or wear can be boxed up first. Some of these items can include books, holiday decorations, extra linens, clothing that you only wear occasionally, keepsakes, your favorite dinnerware, additional kitchen gadgets, tools, camping equipment, and other storable items in your cupboards. At this point, you should also store away the moving supplies and organize them so that nothing will be misplaced. You may want to purchase corrugated boxes and reusable stacked moving crates, marking and labeling them accordingly. You will also need packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and other supplies. Using moving boxes and reusable plastic crates is also helpful because you can easily pack your belongings into them without having to unpack everything when you get to your new house.
Four to Three Weeks Before Moving: Pack Room by Room
Four weeks before your move, start packing seldom-used areas in the house. It can include the spare bedroom, storage, garages, bookshelves, backyard items, and other things in the laundry or linen cupboard that are not used regularly. Try to pack a room at a time instead of randomly putting things into boxes. At least three weeks before your relocation, start packing more rooms, leaving out the essentials. You can pack some of the items that you use on a daily basis but have several backups of, including serving plates, extra kitchen tools, baking supplies, spare mugs, and infrequently used appliances. In your bedroom, you can put additional clothing, shoes, accessories, and other items you have in your closet. It should be decluttering. Before you put anything into boxes or crates, go through your home and decide what you want to keep, donate, sell, recycle or throw away. You can also pack some of your decor, books, games, and electronic devices in your living room.
Two Weeks Before Moving: Final Preparations
Two weeks before your move, your home should be almost empty. Focus on the items you need to bring with you and those you can leave at the new house. This is also the time to reserve a removalist, order a truck, and arrange access to your property if you move in a private vehicle or do not have a company that provides removalist services for the whole apartment block. If you move in an apartment building, it is vital to inquire about lifts, truck access, and timing.
One Week Before Moving: Pack the Essentials
The week before your relocation, pack most of your belongings, leaving some items you will need until last. Make sure to always have clothing, medications, hygiene products, basic food, phone chargers, work tools, and other essential devices in your possession. It is a good idea to put together a box or crate with the essentials you will need on the night of your move. It may include tissues, soap, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, food, drinks, charging cords, pajamas, and other items. The day before your relocation, put the final things into boxes and make sure that everything in your house is appropriately packed. You should also clean your fridge and freezers if needed, leaving the perishable foods at the new house. Valuables, passports, personal documents, keys, and other items should be brought with you on the day of your move instead of being in the moving van.
Benefits of Packing Early
Packing early can make your life infinitely easier because it will let you think about your move more carefully and leave you with enough time to complete everything properly without rushing. It also ensures you have the right amount of items and helps move them safely.
Conclusion
Most people can start packing their homes four to six weeks before their relocation, but this time can vary depending on your home size, the number of your belongings, and your available time. You should always start packing your things by decluttering to make your move more comfortable. Then, you can put the seldom-used items into boxes or stacked moving crates. Four weeks before your move, you should also start packing uncommon areas and free up more space in your home. You can go through your belongings and put some of the things you can live without in the box. The closer it gets to your move date, the fewer items you will have to pack. Following the outlined steps can make your relocation much easier and less stressful.
