Avoid These 7 Common Packing Mistakes

Published: May 15, 2024

Moving can be an exciting yet stressful experience. Whether relocating across town or the country, packing up your belongings requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth transition. Unfortunately, many people make common packing mistakes that can lead to unnecessary stress, damage to their possessions, and wasted time and money. Here are some tips to help you avoid these packing mistakes to ensure your next move goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Starting Early Helps Avoid Packing Mistakes

One of the most common packing mistakes people make when moving is waiting until the last minute to start packing. Procrastination can lead to rushed packing, poor organization, and increased stress. Instead, start as soon as you know you’re going to move. Begin with items you use infrequently, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, and kitchen gadgets. Packing a few boxes each day will make the process much more manageable and less overwhelming.

2. Declutter Before Packing

Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter and purge items you no longer need or use. Before you start packing, go through your belongings and set aside anything you can donate, sell, or discard. This will help streamline the process and save you time and money since you won’t have to pack and transport unnecessary items to your new home.

3. Use the Right Supplies

Proper packing supplies are essential for protecting your belongings during the move. Invest in sturdy moving boxes in various sizes to accommodate different items. Make sure to use plenty of packing paper, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts to cushion fragile items. Use strong tape to seal boxes securely, and consider investing in specialty boxes for items such as dishes, electronics, and artwork.

4. Pack Strategically

When packing boxes, it’s essential to pack strategically to ensure you are not making packing mistakes and your belongings arrive at your new home safely. Start by placing heavy items at the bottom of the box and lighter items on top. Fill empty spaces with packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent items from shifting during transit. When packing fragile items, wrap each piece individually and stack them vertically to minimize the risk of breakage.

5. Label Boxes Clearly

Proper labeling is crucial for staying organized during the packing and unpacking process. Be sure to label each box with its contents and the room to which it belongs. This will make it much easier to unpack and locate specific items once you arrive at your new home. Consider using color-coded labels or a numbering system to streamline the process further.

6. Don’t Overpack Boxes

While it may be tempting to cram as much as possible into each box to save space, overpacking can lead to damaged belongings and strained muscles. Avoid making one of the most common packing mistakes by sticking to a reasonable weight limit for each box, typically around 30 pounds. This will make the boxes easier to lift and carry and reduce the risk of them breaking open during transit.

7. Pack Essentials Separately

Remember to pack a separate box of essentials that you’ll need immediately upon arriving at your new home. This box should contain items such as toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, important documents, and basic cleaning supplies. Keep this box with you during the move rather than putting it with everything else so you can access these items easily.

By avoiding these seven common packing mistakes and following these tips, you can ensure a smoother and less stressful moving experience. Starting early, decluttering before you pack, using the right supplies, packing strategically, labeling boxes clearly, avoiding overpacking, and keeping essentials separate will help you stay organized and protect your belongings during the move. You can make your next move a success with proper planning, preparation, and by avoiding these common moving mistakes.

For help with moving, visit UNITS® Moving and Portable Storage of San Antonio or call (210) 591-7437 for a free quote.