What should you pack first? How should you pack and what stuff do you put together? Lots of questions you never thought about before until your moving day suddenly gets very close. We have listed the best packing tips for you so that your move goes smoothly!
Moving efficiently: When do you start packing?
First of all, when do you start packing? Two or three weeks before your move, you should start packing the things you won’t need in the coming weeks. Think about books, some of your clothes, dishes you never use but still can’t get rid of…. Allow enough time to pack your things so you don’t have to deal with a too tight deadline. What definitely comes in handy is a list indicating which items you have already packed and which still need to be packed. Don’t just start packing without keeping a clear overview. That is guaranteed to lead to chaos.
Move efficiently with convenient moving apps
Don’t like making lists but prefer an app or a handy website? Then there are definitely options for you, too. Some handy apps and websites:
- slimverhuizen.be already does much of the work for you. Fill out the questionnaire and receive a personalized checklist via email. You’ll also get a timeline showing when it’s best to do what. But that’s not all. You will also receive a list of vendors to keep you informed, discounts on works in your new or old home and much more. Very handy!
- With Floor Plan Creator you draw a room to scale and place furniture virtually. That way you can see if that one little table will actually fit next to your couch (for iOS and Android).
- MagicPlan Creates a virtual plan of your home. Walk through your new home and take photos of each room. Then MagicPlan analyzes your photos and calculates the dimensions. Afterwards, you have a complete floor plan with the correct dimensions. With this handy app, you won’t face any unexpected surprises when moving (for iOS only).
Major cleaning
Have you been putting off that big cleaning for a long time? The time has come! Before you move, it’s best to start with a big clean so every closet is organized. This will make it easier to pack all the moving boxes and you’ll have to move less stuff. There are only advantages to doing so! Do you have items that you no longer wear or need but are worth something? Then consider putting them on Vinted or on Secondhand to sell them. That way you can earn a penny on the side, too! The first days in your new home should be a pleasant time. But if your boxes are scattered around the living room unpacked, chances are you won’t find your toothbrush and charger right away. Therefore, pack a box in advance with all the essential items such as chargers, pajamas, underwear, etc. so that you immediately have everything you need for your first day(s) in your new home.
Moving efficiently by labeling
Provide labels or write clearly with an alcohol marker on each box what is inside and whether it is breakable. To be even more efficient, use a different color sticker for each room. That way, when unloading, it’s clear which box goes where.
Moving efficiently: What about all your clothes?
A dressing room full of clothes you need to move? No longer do you have to take all your clothes off the hanger, fold them up and put them in a box. Nowadays you have “clothes boxes” in which you can hang your clothes with hanger attached. When you unload, you just hang everything directly back in your closet. Handy, right? You can find handy wardrobe boxes on the website of verhuisdozenstore.nl, among others.
Original packaging of devices
Original boxes of your TV, laptop, … come in handy now. Pack your valuables (when possible) in their original packaging to keep them well protected during transport. Don’t have these boxes anymore? No problem, wrapping a towel or blanket around your devices is definitely an option as well.
A few final tips:
- Divide the weight of your belongings among several boxes. Are there boxes that are not completely filled? Then fill them with towels, blankets, wrapping paper, etc. to prevent the contents of your box from shifting.
- Do you have a lot of jewelry? Don’t put them all in one box but store each jewel in a separate jewelry pouch. Not enough jewelry bags? Then use ziplock bags. That way you don’t have to unknot your necklaces afterwards.
- Not so handy with cables? Before moving, take a picture of your cables (attached to your TV, computer, etc.) so you can easily reinsert them in the right place afterwards.
- Foil around your cabinets keeps your drawers closed as well as reducing damage to your cabinets.
- Make sure you have already measured the spaces in your new home. Dimensions of your old home are also important. After all, you need to know which furniture needs to be taken apart and which might fit completely through the door or window opening.
- Friends and family who come to help you are more than welcome. Don’t forget to treat them to food and drinks in the evening to thank them for their hard work. Moving together makes the day a lot more fun and makes the time fly by.
With these tips, we hope your move will go smoothly and stress-free! Also, don’t forget to get these practical things in order once you’ve moved.
