Moving out of your apartment doesn’t seem like it’ll be much of a chore until it comes time to get started. In your time occupying the apartment, you may have accumulated a large number of items and need to decide what to do with them. This is what you need to know about packing your apartment for a move.
1. Take an audit of your possessions
If you’re stuffing everything you own into boxes, you’re not packing correctly. As these movers Brooklyn, NY indicate, downsizing with a move is a very pragmatic decision. Go through your items and ask yourself if you still have a use for each one. If the answer is no, but it’s still salvageable, make a special donation box.
If an item is completely unsalvageable, you can throw it out. While you might have some emotional bond to all your possessions, a successful move can mean learning how to say goodbye.
2. Find boxes for free
Moving can be expensive, especially if you’re renting a truck or hiring help. Another resource that can become unexpectedly pricey is cardboard boxes. Don’t pay the high retail prices for new boxes. With enough resourcefulness, you should be able to get boxes at no cost.
Ask local retailers if they have boxes from deliveries that you can use. You should also check to see if you have any boxes in your possession. Your move might still be fairly expensive, but it’ll help keep costs down.
3. Start early
The pain of packing doesn’t diminish with procrastination. As soon as you know you’re moving, it’s time to start packing. It doesn’t have to be done in one day. You can devote about an hour every week to moving. Put on your favorite podcast or television series and fill up some boxes. On your moving day, you’ll be relieved that you took the initiative.
4. Label properly
There should be designated boxes with appropriate labels for all of your belongings. After you’ve finished packing a box, mark what’s inside with a permanent marker or prominent sticker. Depending on how many boxes you have, there might be a mix of items, such as books being packed with cooking utensils. As long as you’re clear about what’s in each box, you’ll be fine.
5. Protect fragile items
Items like dishes are prone to breakage if not handled correctly. As a preventive measure, you should wrap fragile items in things like bubble wrap and tissue paper. You should also mark them as fragile and not let other boxes be stacked on top them. It only takes a few minutes of effort to keep some of your most cherished items from breaking.
When packing your apartment for a move, you should take full advantage of any time and energy you have available. The moving process is stressful enough without having to worry about getting everything packed up correctly. If you’re moving out of your apartment soon, keep this guide as a reference.