Essential Packing Tips for Moving: Master Your Move for a Stress-Free Experience
- Dec 11, 2025
- 8 min read
Summary Who This is For: homeowners, renters, and students preparing for a local or long-distance move. Key Takeaways:
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Starting to pack for a move can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin?
With a bit of planning and the right approach, you can turn what might seem like a stressful event into an exciting new adventure. The key is to start early, stay organized, and be ready for any surprises along the way. If you’re just packing up a small apartment or moving an entire house, having a clear plan will help you keep track of your moving tasks and reduce last-minute stress. When gathering packing supplies and labeling moving boxes, and deciding whether to hire professional movers, every decision you make can help streamline your move. In this guide, you’ll find practical moving tips and packing hacks to help you master every step of the moving process, so you can settle into your new space with confidence.
Before You Start Packing
A successful move begins long before you seal your first box. Good preparation will create an organized and efficient packing process.
Set your moving date and move-out date as early as possible. This allows you to coordinate logistics and avoid last-minute stress.
Don’t forget to schedule utilities and services in advance. Contact your utility providers to manage your utility accounts and ensure all essential services are active at your new home on time.
Start Early and Declutter
We recommend you start packing non-essential items at least a month in advance to avoid a last-minute rush. Begin with items you use least, like holiday decorations or books.
Before you pack a single item, declutter your belongings. Get rid of anything you do not need, use, or want to keep. This reduces the number of things you have to pack, move, and then unpack, saving you time and money.
Gather Your Packing Supplies
Start by gathering all the essential moving supplies you’ll need. You will need a variety of strong cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and permanent markers. It’s wise to have more boxes than you think you’ll need to avoid running out mid-pack. Ask your local grocery stores for extra cardboard boxes before you start the packing process. Packing a few boxes at a time, rather than overloading, helps distribute weight evenly and keeps your items safe and organized.
Be sure to choose the right-sized boxes for different items. We recommend getting specialty boxes like book boxes for heavy items and wardrobe boxes for your hanging clothes. Big boxes are ideal for packing bulky, lightweight items. Duffel bags can also be a flexible option for packing shoes or oddly shaped, lightweight items. A box cutter and furniture pads are also helpful additional supplies.
Moving Truck and Logistics
Securing your moving truck and planning your logistics are essential steps for a smooth move. Start by estimating how many boxes and pieces of furniture you’ll need to transport, then choose a truck or vehicle that fits your needs. If you're making a big move, plan your route, taking traffic and any stops into account. Factor in fuel and toll costs, and consider the best time to move. Avoiding the peak moving season from May to September can save you both time and money, but you may also have to deal with seasonal weather issues in the winter and spring.
Packing Efficiently: Room by Room
An organized strategy makes the entire packing process much easier and sets you up for a simpler unpacking experience. To stay organized and reduce stress, it's best to pack room by room and focus on packing one box at a time.
The Room-by-Room Method
Pack your home one room at a time. This helps you stay focused and makes the task less overwhelming. Always pack items from the same room together whenever possible. For example, pack shoes, pack clothes, and pack jewelry together to keep similar items organized. Try to completely finish one room before moving to the next. Bonus packing tip: consider color-coding your moving boxes by room. This packing hack will make unloading and unpacking in your new house much easier.
How to Pack Boxes Correctly
How you load your boxes is just as important as what you put inside. Avoid overloading to prevent creating heavy boxes that are difficult to move and may break. Make sure items are packed inside boxes with enough padding to protect them during transit.
Use the Right Boxes for the Right Items
Place heavy items like books and tools in smaller boxes. Lighter, bulkier items like linens and stuffed animals can go in larger boxes. Arrange items efficiently within each box to save space and maximize box capacity. This weight distribution prevents boxes from becoming too heavy to lift and protects their contents.
Fill Boxes Completely and Label Clearly
Fill boxes to the top with lighter items or crumpled packing paper to prevent them from being crushed. Fill any space in your boxes with packing peanuts, paper towels, or even soft items like towels to prevent shifting and damage during transit. Be careful not to overfill or underfill boxes.
Label every box clearly with the contents and the destination room in your new home. For fragile items, write "FRAGILE" on all sides of the box, so you or your moving team don't accidentally miss the label.
Loading the Moving Truck
Loading your moving truck efficiently is crucial to protecting your belongings and making the most of your space. Start by placing heavier items, like books and furniture, at the bottom and toward the front of the truck to create a stable base.
Stack boxes by size, keeping heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter items on top, and make sure each box is clearly labeled with its contents and destination room. A well-packed moving truck not only protects your belongings but also speeds up the entire moving process.
Packing Special Items
Some belongings need extra care and specific techniques to ensure they arrive safely.
If you have special items or excess belongings that cannot be moved immediately, consider using a storage unit to keep them safe and organized until you're ready to relocate them.
Protecting Fragile Items
Your fragile dishes, glasses, and decor need the most attention. When packing framed artwork, use masking tape or packing tape to reinforce the glass by placing strips in an "X" pattern to help prevent shattering during the move. Wrap each fragile item individually in bubble wrap or packing paper. Pack them in smaller moving boxes and use dish towels or socks to fill spaces and prevent shifting.
Handling Electronics and Furniture
For electronics, use the original packaging if you still have it. Otherwise, wrap them in bubble wrap and pack them in sturdy boxes. Use extra blankets and towels around them, secured with packing tape if you need extra protection. Bonus moving tip: Take pictures of cable setups before you unplug them so you know how to reconnect everything.
When possible, disassemble furniture. Wrap the pieces in plastic wrap or furniture pads to protect them during the move. Secure any small parts, like screws, in a labeled bag and tape it to the furniture itself.
Packing Your Clothes and Liquids
To pack clothes you want to keep on hangers, use wardrobe boxes. You can also tie a string around a group of hangers and place a garbage bag over them to create a DIY moving bag.
Seal all liquids, like cleaning supplies and toiletries, in plastic bags to prevent leaks. Most movers, including Utah Valley Movers, cannot transport hazardous or flammable liquids, so plan to dispose of these properly as needed.
Moving Tips for Children and Pets
Moving can be a big adjustment for children and pets, but a few tips can help make the transition smoother for everyone.
For kids, pack a special box filled with their favorite stuffed animals, books, snacks, and comfort items to keep them occupied and reassured during the move. Try to keep routines as normal as possible, even on moving day, to help them feel secure.
For pets, prepare a travel bag with food, water, toys, and any medications they might need. Use a secure carrier or crate for the ride, and make sure your pet’s essentials are easily accessible. If possible, set up a quiet space in your new house where your pet can adjust away from the hustle and bustle.
Empty Spaces and Cleaning
As you finish packing and prepare to leave your old home, don’t forget to tackle those empty spaces that are often overlooked. Go through closets, cupboards, and storage areas to make sure nothing is left behind. Wipe down all surfaces, sweep floors, and clean out appliances like the fridge and oven.
Consider hiring a professional cleaning service for a deep clean of the house, especially if you’re short on time or want to ensure everything is spotless for the new owners.
Take care of last-minute moving tasks, such as scheduling utility disconnections and making sure all garbage and recycling are taken out. By thoroughly cleaning your entire house and handling these final details, you’ll leave your old home in great shape and start your new chapter on the right foot.
Final Preparations for Moving Day
The last steps before your move ensure a smooth transition into your new home.
Pack an Essentials Box
Pack a separate box or bag with items you will need immediately upon arrival. Pack an overnight bag with everyday essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, phone chargers, important documents, and a roll of toilet paper. You will be grateful to have these items without searching through all your boxes after a long day.
Last-Minute Moving Tips
If you have hired professional movers, clearly communicate which boxes are fragile or essential. Make sure all pathways in your home are clear to help the crew work efficiently. Having all your boxes packed, sealed, and labeled before the movers arrive is the key to a smooth moving day.
Packing & Moving Tips FAQ
How many boxes will I need for my move?
The number of boxes varies greatly depending on the size of your home. A good starting point is 10-15 small boxes, 15-20 medium boxes, and 5-10 large boxes for a one-bedroom apartment. Our team at Utah Valley Movers can provide a more accurate estimate during an in-home consultation.
When is the best time to start packing?
We recommend you pack non-essential items about 6-8 weeks before your move. Starting early and decluttering first makes the task much more manageable.
What is the best way to pack heavy items?
Always use small boxes for heavy items like books or tools. This prevents the box from becoming too heavy and breaking. Distribute the weight evenly and fill empty space with soft packing materials to prevent shifting.
Should I label my boxes?
Yes, absolutely. Label every box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This is one of the most important tips for moving as it makes unloading and unpacking in your new house incredibly faster.
Can I use garbage bags for packing?
We do not recommend using garbage bags for most items, as they can tear easily. They can be used for very lightweight, non-fragile items like pillows or comforters, but boxes are always a safer choice.
What is the best way to pack shoes for moving?
To pack shoes efficiently, consider using duffel bags for a small number of pairs or big boxes if you have many shoes.
Make Your Move Easy With Utah Valley Movers
Our best moving and packing tip is ultimately to choose the right team to help make it easy. Let the professional packers at Utah Valley Movers handle it for you. We provide all the packing supplies and expert care to ensure your belongings are safe. Contact us today for a free quote.
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