Few experiences cause as much anxiety as moving house. In fact, moving regularly features in top five lists of stressful life events – and it’s not hard to see why. The process of relocating a lifetime’s worth of ‘stuff’ can be a daunting task, with moving boxes covering the house for weeks on end.
Packing for a house move involves a strategic approach, especially when it comes to deciding what to pack first and last. The right packing order can ease some of the stress of moving and ensure essential items are readily available. This guide will outline moving house tips and the best practices for packing, offering tips and a checklist for an organised move. We’ll also discuss the benefits of crate hire, such as those offered by phs Teacrate, to facilitate a smoother moving process.
Start afresh with a declutter
First things first – before we delve into the detail of what to pack when, it’s important to carry out a thorough declutter. Packing unnecessary items wastes time and space and leaves you with more storage to source in your new home. A good declutter involves deciding what to take and what to discard. Be realistic about what you genuinely need or want, and what you can let go of. This can be a challenge, particularly for the sentimental of heart, but there’s no better time to take on a fresh ‘out with the old’ outlook. Charity shops, online marketplaces and social media groups are all excellent places to pass along unwanted, yet still-useful items and keep trips to waste management centres to a minimum.
Create a moving house checklist – the guide below can help create that list!
First things to pack
- Non-essential Items: Start with items that are out of season or rarely used. This includes holiday decorations, off-season clothing, and books you won’t read anytime soon.
- Decorative Items: Pack up decorative elements like wall art, photo frames, and knick-knacks. These items are not needed for daily living and can be packed well in advance.
- Guest room contents: Since guest rooms are infrequently used, you can pack them early without impacting your daily life. Include linens, decorative items, and non-essential furniture.
- Seldom-used kitchenware: Begin with kitchen items that aren’t part of your daily use, like special occasion dishes, large serving platters, and extra cookware.
Next to pack
- Majority of your wardrobe: Start packing most of your clothes, leaving out only the essentials for the remaining days. This might include out-of-season clothing and formal wear.
- Extra linens and towels: Pack away additional linens, towels, and bedding that you won’t need until after the move.
- Books, games, CDs, and DVDs: Begin packing your entertainment items. Keep a few books or games out if you think you'll use them but try to box up as much as possible.
- Home office supplies: If you have a home office, start packing items that are not essential for your immediate work needs.
Last things to pack
- Essential kitchen items: Pack your everyday dishes, utensils, and cooking tools last. Keep a small set of essentials available for use up until moving day.
- Daily toiletries and medications: Pack these items on the last day or moving day. Keep a small bag for essential toiletries and medications that you’ll need immediately upon arrival.
- Bedding and pillows: Pack your bed linens and pillows on the morning of the move. You might want to keep one set handy to ensure your first night in the new home is comfortable.
Moving house packing tips and checklist
- Stay organised: Use a packing checklist to keep track of what you’ve packed and what’s left.
- Use quality packing materials: Invest in sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper to protect your items – or better still, check out rental options such as phs Teacrate’s rental services
- Pack room by room: Tackle one room at a time to stay organised and avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Create an inventory: Keep a list of the contents of each box, and ensure each box is labelled and numbered. This helps in locating items quickly in your new home.
- Set aside a ‘first day’ box: Include items you’ll need immediately at your new home like a change of clothes, basic toiletries, phone chargers, and snacks.
phs Teacrate rental process
To further reduce the stress of moving, phs Teacrate offers moving boxes and crate hire rental services that ensure you have a ready supply of sturdy, well-sized and easily storable to keep your belongings securely packed. Our services involve:
- Selecting the right crates: phs Teacrate offers a variety of crate types to suit different moving needs. You can choose from standard crates in different sizes depending on the volume of space required, computer crates to look after those valuable equipment items, and meter crates based on the items you're moving.
- Placing an order: You can order crates directly from phs Teacrate’s website or contact us for advice on which crates and quantities you'll need. We offer an extensive range of moving equipment to suit all types of moves and budgets.
- Delivery options: phs Teacrate provides a nationwide delivery service. We offer next-day delivery if ordered before 3pm, or timed deliveries to suit your schedule. For locations that are difficult to access, like inner-city areas or high-rise buildings, we offer a porter service to deliver crates to a precise location.
- Barcode tracking: For added security and organisation, phs Teacrate offers barcoded trackable plastic crates. This feature is particularly useful if crates are being used across different departments or locations. You can track crates in and out of locations using an app, helping to minimise losses.
- Using the crates: Once the crates arrive, you can start packing. Their sturdy and durable design makes them ideal for protecting your belongings during the move. The crates are also stackable, saving space in your moving vehicle.
- Returning the crates: After you've moved and unpacked, phs Teacrate will collect the crates from your new location. This eliminates the need for you to deal with disposing of cardboard boxes or finding storage for reusable crates.
Effective use of phs Teacrate for moving
To maximise the efficiency of using phs Teacrate, pack heavier items in smaller crates and lighter items in larger ones to make them easy to carry. Label each crate with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home. Utilise their customisable options, like barcoded crates, for better tracking and organisation. Remember, the durability and sustainability of these plastic crates not only provide robust protection for your items but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the amount of cardboard, tape and plastic packaging required.
Make your next move a smart one
Packing for a move requires careful planning and execution. By following this moving house tips guide, you can ensure a systematic and stress-free packing experience. Utilising the services of phs Teacrate for crate hire further streamlines the process, providing sturdy, reliable packing options to safeguard your belongings during the move. To find out more about how we can service your moving requirements, get in touch with our experts today.