Packing and Moving Tips

If you’re packing for storage or for a move, the task may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to do a lot at once. But packing doesn’t have to be an ordeal. If you follow some of these simple tips, the process will go much more smoothly.

Plan Ahead As Much As You Can

The most important step in packing efficiently is to plan ahead. Find an approach to tackling the task that works for you. If you’re moving the contents of your entire home, consider packing everything up one room at a time. Schedule time in your day to pack a few boxes and create a deadline to ensure you stay organized.

Create an Inventory and Label Everything

If it goes in a box, it should go on a list. By creating an inventory of everything you’ve packed, you can be sure that items make it to their final destination. If you’re moving into a storage unit, label boxes with their contents as well as the original room they came from. This way, if you need to pull a few boxes out of storage, you’ll know exactly what to look for.

Use Appropriately-Sized Boxes

When packing, it’s important to choose the right kinds of boxes. For example, books need to be packed in smaller boxes because they’re really heavy. Combine small heavy items, such as bookends or vases, with blankets, pillows, and sheets. In addition to keeping the boxes manageable, the linens will provide much-needed padding for fragile items.

Don’t Forget Dust Covers, Paper, and Other Materials

Moving takes more than boxes. Be sure to purchase packing paper to help protect your fragile items. Invest in good tape, and if you’re planning on packing a lot of boxes, consider a tape gun to quickly tear pieces off as you need them. Don’t forget protective padding for mattresses and furniture, which will keep them from scuffs and scratches as you move them from your home into your storage unit.

Place the Heaviest Items In First

Always pack your unit with the bulkiest items first, then follow with boxes. Be sure to give yourself a pathway to get through your storage unit in the event that you’d need to access items. Keep items from the same room together and draw a map to put inside your unit so you have a good idea of where things are. Make a copy to keep at home for reference.

Ask for Advice from Experienced Professionals

At Five Star Storage, we’re moving and packing professionals. We can help point you toward the right kinds of packing materials, help you estimate the number of boxes, and tell you exactly what size storage unit you need. To get more storage tips or learn even more about self-storage, visit a Five Star Storage location near you!

Photograph & Inventory

As mentioned earlier, be sure to be creating an inventory list while moving. But this should also hold true when placing items within your storage unit. Having an inventory of your items recorded along with any serial numbers of items coupled with photographs can greatly assist if the unexpected occurs.