Moving day has a way of sneaking up on people, no matter how organised you are. One evening you’re staring at the first leaves of spring outside your living room window with a cup of tea; the next, you’re staring at a sea of cardboard and wondering how you’re going to get everything done in time.
A smart packing order helps to keep the stress of the move to a minimum, by preventing that frantic 10 p.m. hunt for clean socks in a mountain of bubble‑wrap. Here’s a basic approach you can adapt to your needs.
The “open‑this‑first” survival bag
Start with one small, brightly labelled box or bag. Into it goes a kettle (or cafetière/mocha pot), two mugs, the toaster or a single frying pan, basic cutlery, phone chargers, a roll of loo paper, painkillers, and some pajamas.
Toss in the Wi‑Fi router and a power brick as well. Nothing quite increases your moving stress like rummaging for internet hardware while you’re meant to be in an important Zoom meeting. This box travels in the car with you, not in the van, and sits on the new kitchen counter before anything else crosses the threshold.
Important paperwork
Passports, birth certificates, tenancy or mortgage paperwork, insurance docs, a spare set of car keys, you’ll want to gather them in a single location, then stash that bag or box somewhere safe. Hard drives with family photos or other important information should go here too. Re‑ordering a blender’s normally not too much hassle; replacing a passport three days before a flight is.
High‑use daily items
Work through each room asking, “Will I miss this in the next week or two?” Everyday toiletries, two sets of sheets, the kids’ favourite bedtime books, laptop and charger, all belong in clearly marked “essentials” cartons.
Use coloured tape or a giant ‘E’ on four sides so these boxes leave the van first. If space allows, chuck in a spare bulb and some very basic tools; assembling a flat‑pack at midnight without a screwdriver is character‑building, but should really be avoided at all costs.
Off‑season & decorative pieces
Winter coats in June, string lights from last Christmas, the abstract print you still haven’t framed, all of these can disappear into boxes weeks ahead. Wrap framed art and mirrors in old duvets; they pad better than shockingly expensive bubble corners from the DIY store. Label anything fragile on all sides; movers can’t read the single scribble on the top, when boxes stack six high.
Bulky “stand‑alone” items
Books, vinyl records, the slow cooker you crack out twice a year, pack these kinds of things sooner rather than later, but keep weight in mind. Small boxes for books spare lower backs, yours or the team from Bright Movers.
Remember to empty and defrost the fridge‑freezer 48 hours before you go; prop the doors open with a wooden spoon or similar object to dry it properly, so mildew doesn’t welcome you on moving day.
Pack in this order, and moving day feels less like sprinting through a fog and more like following an organised playlist: survival kit, documents, dailies, off‑season, bulky non‑essentials. Stick to the list and you’ll end the big day by locating your toothbrush in seconds, not hours.
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