I need to know the best place to start when packing to move into a new home?

Question

We are currently in an apartment and we are moving into a spacious mobile home...The problem is this: #1... I am a pack-rat and I do not like to part with anything...But I am willing to now...#2., our Family consists of myself and my husband along with an 11 year old, 4 year old, and 20 month old....WHERE DO I START????

Answer 1

Just as important as WHERE to start is WHEN to start...after moving once a year for the six years in a row (with 3 kids) I got a pretty good system going:

1. Two weeks before the move: Remove everything from the walls. Pack mirrors/pictures wrapped in extra sheets and towels so that they do not get newsprint on them. If they're dusty, wipe them down before you pack them - they'll go back up clean!

Then every night make it your goal to get TWO boxes packed. Start with less-used items: books, knick-nacks, "wrong season" clothing...as much as possible pack things in clothes/sheets/blankets so that you don't have newsprint issues.

You'll also only have to "clear out" a small area each day this way, so you'll never feel overwhelmed.

2. One Week before the move: Pack all kitchen stuff you can do without for a week - baking pans, etc.

This is also the week to go through kids' toys, one kid per day, and clear out unused/broken toys. Have the kids pick out four toys for the rest of the week. Donate what you're not keeping, pack what you are. On moving day you'll only have 12 toys to pack.

Pack all the rest of your clothes three days before the move, keeping out 3 outfits for each family member. Clear out what you're not keeping - donate. Clothing moves great in green garbage bags with the "handle" tops: wrap the handles tight around the top of a bunch of hangars and tie it tight. Clothes will be safe from rain, easy to carry, and hang right back up in the new home.

Two days before the move pack the rest of the kitchen and bathroom except for what you absolutely need - if you've got your thinking cap on, everything left out can fit in one bathroom, one kitchen box on moving day. (Laundry hampers are great for dishes for short moves).

On moving day all you should have left is bedding (fits great in green garbage bags), 12 toys, one bathroom box and your kitchen box. And 3 days' worth of laundry.

Happy moving!!!!

Answer 2

The important thing to remember is that you will have to UNPACK as well as pack. So think about the unpacking process while you are packing.

Have a box or two out (but not used yet) as your Immediate Access stash. These are the items you may need immediately after you move... a few dishes, some utensils, paper towels, soap, sponge, toothpaste, etc.

Pick out one room at a time. Start with the one you use least often, as you will not have to dig through already packed stuff to find something before you actually move.

Create a master list and number each box. ie. If you are doing the 11 years old's room, you can't just label the box, "Sam". Label it "1" and on the master list sheet next to "1", put the major items that are in there. This is because you will have more than one box per room.

Have heavy trash bags ready in the room to accept trash NOW! Don't leave it up for a decision later. When it is full, TIE IT UP and get it out of there as soon as possible. Again, remember the UNPACKING that awaits you while you are packing. Also, it's ok to have a donation box(es) but DO NOT have a "maybe" pile... YOU ARE MOVING! Make a decision right now.

Move from room to room until you get to the most used room in the house. Remember your Immediate Access box(es) and utilize them but conservatively.

Also, stick to the Master List and just number the boxes. Be strict about describing the main items in each numbered box on the Master List.

You will be very happy you did all this when you are unpacking because you certainly won't be unpacking all in one day and you won't be saying, "Why did I lug all this crap over here?!"

Answer 3

Make four piles: Save, Donate, Toss, Maybe. Sort your own "packrat" items and then start packing the Save items that you will not be using immediately. Take your Donate items to Goodwill or Salvation Army (make sure they are in good condition). Throw away your Toss items. Sort thru the "Maybe" items and decide whether to Save, Donate, or Toss.

Have your husband do the same with his stuff
Have your 11 year old do the same with his/her stuff
Help the 4 year old do the same.

Pack all the items that aren't needed immediately.
Pack all your books (they're heavy, not too many to a box), decorative (dust collector) items, off-season clothes (into suitcases). Pack all the dishes and serving items that you don't use every day. Dishes should be packed on their sides (not stacked the way they are in your cupboards).

The kids should fill a box with the toys/books they want to use until the move.

Good luck -- it's hard work but can be easier if you organized before the day of the move.

Answer 4

I've moved 15 times in as many years. Start with the stuff you use the least. Out of season clothes and all that. Sort at the same time. Pack whats worth keeping and get rid of whats not. Work your way up to more essential and frequently used items. Make sure to keep enough food, pots and pans, dishes etc, available for use. And don't forget toilet paper and such will be needed until you are completely moved. Label all the boxes for specific rooms. It's a real pain to unpack 1 box that contains stuff for every room in the house.

Answer 5

Ive moved 3 times in the past 4 years! This is how I did things. Start with off season clothes - i used space bags - you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and not be opening up the boxes/bags everyday in the mean time. Next try to pack the kkitchen. You'll need to stock up on paper products to hold you over. But packing up the kitchen can be a real motivator. Pack it up entirely. Everyone will get the point, yes we are in the process of moving and pitch in. It can be a little frustrating but again use it as a motivating tool for yourself and those in your family old enough to help. Label everything very explicitly and try not to mix things up in different boxes. When you label, label what room in the NEW home things will be unpacked. That way you arent moving boxes back n forth in your new home.

As for throwing things away- just ask yourself "Is this worth packing up?" and more importantly, "Is it worth my mental energy and physical labor to unpack it?" Believe it or not, unpacking is worse! Finding new places for things is a real pain. Moving can be an emotional time, you'll need to set aside some emotions to purge what you don't NEED.

Give yourself some leeway- I gave myself one box of "Not sures"(Things that I really didnt want to get rid of but didnt really need!). It started off as more than that (there were 8!) but the more i looked at those 8 extra boxes... I consolidated. That was 7 less trips up and down the stairs right there! So in your family give everyone one box each of "not sures" that is 5 boxes right there- so keep tabs on how many "not sure" boxes get moved.

All the best in your new place

Answer 6

You will want to sart with closets, attics, and storage rooms, things that you don't use as often. Having the right types of boxes really helps also. If you get one area cleaned out you will have a place to put boxes as you get them packed. Pack your least used things first or you will be going thru old stuff at the last minute and you may decide to leave things behind just because you don't want to deal with them. Going thru closests and drawers first allows you the option of having a moving sale. Pack up all the knick knacks that you have sitting around that you want to keep. And start setting others in a "sell box" When you pack the kitchen only keep out a few basics that you will pack Last so that you will have them handy upon arrival at your new place. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

Pack the things you don't need for now, find a place to put the boxes so that you don't have to keep moving them to get around.
Label each box noting where it should go in the new place
Good luck

Answer 8

I always start with the kid's rooms when im moving....it seems like they always have the most stuff. Then i move onto the kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom. After that the rest is basically big things like televisions, couches...you get the point.

Answer 9

Everything you want to bring into your new house first, pack last. When you open the door on u haul all that stuff you want first is right there.

Answer 10

pack things your not using or wont be using first