How do you pack your house to move?

[VeryViolet]

I start by putting things into boxes and labeling methodically. Then after a few boxes I just start throwing things in at random and labeling everything "Misc." LOL

Really though get bubble wrap from Office Depot or wherever it is a big help and start with things you don't use often. I did books and small decor stuff first, then I did my kitchen leaving out enough for basic cooking and eating. For bigger decor items (art and stuff) towels are really good for keeping them safe while you move. The hardest part is the clothes I have never figured out a good system and just ended up throwing everything in a trash bag or my car and moving it myself.

[BlackCanary]

My goal is always to pack room by room. We do pretty good but as it gets closer to the move date we just start throwing everything in random boxes.

[VeryViolet]

Oh I forgot I also bought a big thing of sharpies in different colors. I used a different color for each room that the box went into in the new house. It was really helpful for the movers and also for me to see what got put in the wrong place because it was color coded.

[sake]

OK I am going to help you, for basically 2 reasons. #1 B/C I have moved 9 times in the last 10 years, so I'm a pro, and #2 b/c you tagged me in the nice people post, and I love you.

Get boxes from the grocery store, or anywhere else that has big boxes. Go room by room. Do things that you don't need first. LABEL THE BOXES- with rooms and general items like "BATHROOM- TOWELS, RUGS, ETC"

Don't pack cleaning supplies b/c you'll need those.

Put hanging clothes in suitcases and laundry baskets. or buy a hanging rack that goes across the back of your car. Leave the clothes in drawers. you can move these with our unpacking them.

dont pack boxes too heavy.

put paper plates between glass dishes to keep them from breaking.

Don't waste time trying to be a "neat packer" just throw all the generally the same shit in boxes. who cares if that makes you have more boxes? you'll have a ton anyway.

[dirtyred]

First, get rid of everything that you possibly can.  The less you have to pack, the better.

As others have said, get boxes and label EXACTLY what's in them. (My friend recently moved.  Her sister came to help, and labeled boxes with things like "Precious memories."  I don't recommend it).  I wrote down, on the outside of the box, each item as it went in.  I also labeled each one with the room it was for in large letters for the movers.

For clothes, go to U Haul and buy wardrobe boxes.  You put everything in them, on hangers, and then the movers take them.  You open them, hang up your clothes, and you're done.

[goaskalice]

I'm crazy I label almost every item that is is the box on the outside. I start in the kitchen and leave bare bones then make my way through the bedrooms and living room.

Good luck!

[sawyerthedestroyer]

I start by packing the non-essentials first. Decorative things, kitchen stuff I only use occasionally, guest towels, spare bedding, etc. As the move date gets closer and I know I'm going to need to have fewer and fewer things readily available I pack what I won't be using. In the final week I set aside only what I will need to cook, clean, and wear and everything else gets boxed. I also try to do all of this by room. Everything I need for cleaning gets packed last because I don't want to leave a mess behind.

[DotAndBuzz]

I don't. I think movers and packers are worth their weight in gold, and am happy to pay to have them pack my stuff. If you don't want to pay for a full pack, you could do the easy stuff, like the bathrooms/clothes/bedrooms, and then pay to have them pack your kitchen. To me, the kitchen is the absolute WORST to figure out and deal with.

If you're going to pack it all yourself, go room by room and purge before you pack (if it isn't too late and you still have time). You'll be more efficient at actual packing if you're not sorting/reminiscing while you do it. LABEL LABEL LABEL. The fewer "misc" boxes you have, the better, because you'll be really pist when you are unpacking 40 "misc" boxes and running all over the place in your new house to do it.

[KKD]

Gah, my post disappeared!

Jun 4, 2013 16:48:03 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

I start by putting things into boxes and labeling methodically. Then after a few boxes I just start throwing things in at random and labeling everything "Misc." LOL

This is how it went for us by the time we were finishing up the kitchen in our last move. lol.

I also go room by room and start by packing what I don't need to keep accessible: sweaters and any other clothes that are rarely worn or won't be worn soon; towels and extra toiletries; picture frames and other small décor; books, movies and games; office documents and supplies; wine glasses and serving dishes and mixing bowls, etc. The last to be packed are current clothes; bedding, shower towels and everyday toiletries; cookware, cups and plates (although you could do this sooner and use paper products), and any remaining food.

I also label as descriptively as possible, including the room and any items contained within. The last couple boxes do end up getting thrown together, but I at least label the room and try to indicate whether it can wait or should be opened immediately, as in "Kitchen Necessities."



PLEASE DON'T EAT MY POST AGAIN, PROBOARDS!

[Moe]

Get rid of shit. Seriously, get rid of it. You know you're ONLY PLANNING on using it sometime. You won't.

Throw money at the problem. Pay movers. Best thing ever.

[Moe]

Oh, and for God's sake, label where your coffee maker is.

This was our one big mistake in our last move. Ugh.

At least we knew readily where all the alcohol was. WIN!