The excitement of finding a new home can be quickly overshadowed by the daunting task of packing and moving out of the one you already have. But don't worry, we've got some moving and packing tips from the professionals to help you fill those boxes like a world-class Tetris champion. And, while we can't turn the baggage of a task into an exciting and fun-filled experience, we can help make it a little less overwhelming. It's hard to let go of things, but this is the best time to sort through all the items in your house and decide if it's worth taking them to your new home.
And when it comes to classification, there is no greater source of inspiration than the guru herself who arouses joy, Marie Kondo. Kimmy from She's In Her Apron recommends starting the packing process by checking each room and packing up non-essential things you won't need during the last week in your home. Moving boxes fill up quickly and too often people underestimate the amount of things they have in their homes. That results in last-minute trips running around town, buying packing and moving supplies at a very high price. Since packaging is often considered the most vital part of the moving process, doing it the right way requires more than one or two box sizes and a box-loading strategy.
It will most likely take you about a week or two to pack your house, and that's if you spend most of that time packing. If garage space isn't an option, consider renting a portable moving and storage container. Choose the right size for you and have it delivered directly to your driveway. The best part? You can charge it whenever you want and keep it easily accessible at your driveway or have it professionally delivered to a secure storage location. Kristi, from Inspired Living with Kristi, knows a thing or two about packing for the move. As a teacher, she moved in and out of several classrooms, and, in her personal life, she has moved with her family seven times four from all over the country.
So, yeah, she knows what she's talking about. She recommends separating your valuables and packing them personally in a suitcase, especially if you are doing a long-distance move. This includes jewelry, passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and other important things that are difficult to replace or contain confidential information. Your suitcase should always be somewhere you can access and never give it to anyone else to help you with your move. And as a note, if you're flying to your new location, make sure your suitcase is the size of a carry-on baggage so you don't have to check the bag. She recommends unpacking your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen (in that order) on the first day you move into your new home.
The reason for this is that you are likely to feel tired from moving and need a shower, food and a good night's sleep. Since it's a good idea to put these rooms in order the day you move in, make sure that the boxes with things for these rooms are more easily accessible in your truck or moving container. It goes without saying that a larger house will take longer to pack than a smaller one. It usually takes 2-3 full days to pack a one-bedroom house, 5-6 days to pack a two-bedroom house or apartment, and about a week for a three-bedroom home to be ready to move in. If you pack yourself, usually the moving company will not be responsible for any damage that may occur inside the boxes.
So stop wondering when to start packing for the move and get to work; there's nothing to wait (and all those boxes are waiting for you). In case you're planning to throw a packing party (and know you can count on your friends to do a good job), you don't need to start packing for your move ahead of time; most of the work will be done in one day. While you might see shorter estimates online that say moving professionals only take two hours per room, inexperienced packers won't be as efficient, so it's best to estimate 4-6 hours per room. While it's tempting to carefully sort items before you start, if you're trying to pack quickly, you only need to touch each item once.
For more information from the experts on how many days should you pack and move out of your home safely and efficiently see the PODS blog. From organizing your home from top to bottom, reducing small spaces size or minimalist living tips we have inside information from influencers across the country.
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