No matter how many times you have moved house in the past, there is one task that everyone dreads: packing boxes.

Packing up your old house is by far the most time-consuming part of moving to a new home. But, when it is done right, the process can be made much easier.

The more efficiently you pack boxes for a move, the quicker you will be able to unpack and focus on making your new house a home.

At DW Removals & Storage, our seasoned team has years of professional experience in packing up homes of all sizes.

Here are our top tips on packing boxes for a house move.

1. Create your to-do list

Before you start putting any of your belongings into boxes, you need to have a clear plan of action.

Walk your way through each room of your home to make an inventory of everything you will be taking with you to your new house.

Once you have a clear idea of what you need to pack, you will understand how many boxes you will need. Make a list of the key supplies you need to purchase, such as:

• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape
• ‘Fragile’ tape
• Newspaper
• Pens
• Labels

You will need to have a variety of box sizes on hand, plus specific boxes for certain items. Wardrobe boxes, for example, can be a great option as they have a rail for hangers which means your clothes can be directly placed inside them from your wardrobe.

Your artwork, posters, and TV will also require specific boxes. If in doubt, we recommend speaking to a professional removal company to get some advice. We are always happy to help if you have any questions!

2. Create a designated packing area

Now that you have everything you need, you should set up a specific packing area.

We suggest using a table or workspace, rather than the floor. Not only does this keep the area clear of any tripping hazards, but it will be less physically demanding than continuously bending up and down.

This way, you can also leave your materials out of the way when they aren’t in use.

3. Work through one room at a time

One of the best ways to pack efficiently is to keep similar items together. If you tackle each room one at a time, you can pack all of these items in the same boxes and keep track of where all your belongings are.

We recommend beginning the packing process at least a month before you move. That way, you can chip away at each room individually, and you will have time to secure extra supplies if they are needed.

4. Maximise the space in your boxes

Always put heavy items at the bottom of the box, and place light items at the top. This helps to distribute the weight more evenly, prevents the boxes from becoming too heavy to lift, and stops you from overpacking, which could split the box and damage its contents. Several layers of tape should be used to reinforce the base of these boxes.

We recommend disassembling larger items like tables and bedframes so that they are easier to pack and transport, as well as taping drawers shut. Clothes could also be vacuum packed and sealed into vacuum bags so that they take up as little space as possible in your boxes.

Try to make sure you use all of the space within each box. Fill any gaps between items with protective material and smaller items. This stops items from being able to rattle around when they’re in transit and also makes sure there isn’t any space for the boxes to become dented when they are stacked.

5. Get creative

When packing for a house move, you don’t need to just use boxes!

Items like suitcases will be travelling with you to your new home, so you can use them more efficiently by packing them with items that aren’t easily damaged, such as books and clothing.

Egg cartons are also a great place to pack jewellery, as the indents help to prevent necklaces from becoming tangled.

6. Pad and protect your belongings

One of the biggest fears during a house move is damage to your belongings. However, if you take precautionary steps, you can keep your possessions protected.

When packing, wrap items individually using bubble wrap, and keep them cushioned by surrounding them with packing peanuts. Clothes and sheets could also be used to cushion items. Liquids such as perfumes should be sealed in bags to avoid any potential spillages.

We recommend packing up your kitchen last. Your kitchen is where you keep the majority of your most fragile and breakable items, so packing them at the end reduces the chance of damage.

Fragile items, such as glasses and crockery, should be packed with a lot of care. Use dividers for drinking glasses, and dish sleeves to keep your bowls and plates from scratching one another.

7. Label your boxes properly

Make sure you label each box you pack with details of what is inside them and which room they will be going into. You should also use ‘Fragile’ tape on boxes full of more delicate items, so your moving company know they need to take extra care.

We recommend labelling your boxes on each side, so they can be quickly identified once they are stacked.

8. Pack your essentials last

• Bedding and pillows
• Clothes and pyjamas
• Toiletries
• Medications
• A first aid kit
• A toolkit
• Basic kitchen supplies

Finally, you should pack a box of essential items, such as:

You can then unpack this box first and get settled into your new home much faster.

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We hope that this blog has given you some helpful tips on packing boxes for a house move. It might seem like a lot of work, but an organised approach to packing will make your entire move run much more smoothly!

If you would prefer not to handle this part of the move yourself, we offer a packing service that allows you to focus on ticking other important tasks on your house move to-do list.

We can also help you move locally around Angus, Dundee, North Fife, Perth, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire, or relocate nationwide to any location across the UK.

To find out more about how DW Removals and Storage can help you, get in touch today.