Packing properly when moving house

Organising a move: our 10 tips on how to pack properly

Tip 1: Do a spring clean

There’s probably no better time to get rid of unnecessary stuff than when you move house. Old books, broken ice skates, that children’s car seat that has not been used for years: now is the time to go through all the furniture in your home – including in the cellar – and actively decide on what you will take with you and what you can get rid of.

This allows you to reduce the amount of stuff you move and is good for your general well-being. After all, getting rid of things you don’t need can be liberating.

Our tip: Start to organise what you want to take with you in good time. It tends to take longer to have a clear-out than you might think. 

Tip 2: Plan your packing routine

Once you have sorted the wheat from the chaff, you can focus on packing your remaining things. It’s worth making a few preparations and drawing up a plan. That means thinking about how you want to go about packing. How many boxes will you need to move your things? When should you start packing and how long will you need? By planning well, you avoid unnecessary stress later down the line.

As a general rule of thumb, expect to use one box per square metre. However, be generous in your calculations – make sure that you get a few extra boxes.

If you start to pack early enough, you will have the time you need to do it in a calm and orderly fashion. It will definitely pay off – particularly when unpacking at your new address. You should start packing no later than a week before moving house. It seems reasonable to assume that you will need at least a day for each room. Still, it’s always worth building in a buffer.

Tip 3: Use the right packing material and enough of it

After planning how many boxes you need, you can start looking for the right ones. In addition to boxes, there are other packing materials you should not forget about.

We have compiled a checklist to make sure you have all the right packing and moving supplies:

• Cardboard boxes: It is a definitely a good idea to acquire proper moving boxes instead of relying on old cardboard boxes, crates or bags. Boxes come in various shapes and sizes. We recommend choosing the same size for all your boxes, as this will allow you to stack them with ease and load them in the moving van. Avoid boxes that are too large, as they will be very heavy once full.
  
  Extra tall boxes with a built-in clothes rail are available for all your clothes on hangers. You can hang them up and transport them without them becoming wrinkled – this will save you from having to iron everything again and hang them all up in your new home.
  
  You can find boxes at you removal company. A little tip: You can rent boxes from a removal company. They will pick them up after you move, so you will not have to dispose of them yourself.
• Wrapping tissue: Protect fragile objects by wrapping them in tissue paper. This is available in large sheets. In principle, old newspaper will work, too, but be aware that the ink can run if the air is humid.
   
• Bubble wrap: To prevent your furniture and paintings from damage and dirt, wrap everything in plastic film or bubble wrap and secure it using adhesive tape.
   
• Adhesive tape: Generally speaking, you should be able to close moving boxes without adhesive tape. Just to be safe, though, you can secure them with tape. You will also need adhesive tape to secure any plastic film you intend to use.
   
• Thick marker pen: Have a few thick marker pens in different colours handy to be able to clearly label the boxes and items for transport.
   
• Coloured labels: Buy different coloured labels for each room in your home, as this will make it easier to unload the boxes at the other end: add the relevant label to the door to each room and to all furniture and boxes that go in that room.

Tip 4: Be organised in your packing

There are a few tricks you can use to make unpacking and furnishing your new home quick and carefree.

• Document your boxes: Create a checklist (whether on a piece of paper or digitally) for setting out your moving inventory. Give each box a consecutive number and enter it in the list. Next to it, write down the contents of the box and to which room it belongs. Also write the number on the box itself. You might not manage to unpack all the boxes in your first few days at the new place. You can consult the list at any time to find out where things are without having to search for a long time.
   
• Have a code for your rooms: Assign a colour to each room in your home and add labels in the same colours to your boxes. This will let your helpers know in which room to put the boxes. 

Tip 5: Pack the boxes properly

When packing boxes, keep things tidy and structured. This will cut down on the work involved when it comes to unpacking.

• Weight: A box should weigh a maximum of 15 to 20 kg, as otherwise your helpers will not be able to carry it. It’s easy to reach this limit, especially with books.
   
• Carry handles: Moving boxes have holes on the side, so you can carry them. Make sure these holes remain clear, so you can grip them properly.
   
• Pack for each room: The best way to pack your boxes is to do it by room. In other words, each box contains items only from one particular room. This makes things much easier when unpacking.

• Keeping things neat inside the box: Put the heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top. If there’s any room left at the end, fill up the remaining space with cushions or other fabric items.

Tip 6: Wrap fragile items properly

The best way to transport fragile items is to use special boxes; for example, boxes with inserts for glasses and lamps. Otherwise, wrap fragile items in generous amounts of bubble wrap or tissue paper.

Also make sure that the bottom and sides of the boxes are padded. Use blankets or towels for this.

Make sure boxes containing fragile items are not too full, but also make sure the spaces between the items are padded. This will keep everything secure and prevent anything from moving around inside the box.

Tip 7: Not everything has to go in a box

Boxes are practical, but there are some things you can pack in different ways. Clothing, for example, is ideal for filling up suitcases and travel bags. Then you kill two birds with one stone when transporting them to your new home.

Bedding, towels and bath mats can also be transported in bags or refuse bags. These soft bags are also great for filling in spaces in the removal van.

Tip 8: Valuables do not go with the rest of your household goods

No matter how well organised your move is and how much you trust those who are helping you, under no circumstances should you transport your valuables with the rest of your belongings.

The risk of losing them or having them stolen simply is not worth it. Expensive jewellery, heirlooms or securities should be placed in a bag and carried about your person. On the day of the move, you could store it at a good friend or family member’s house, so that it is not mixed in with the rest of your items.

Tip 9: Have a few boxes containing the essentials

No matter how well you plan things, moving can take a while and require a lot of effort. It’s very likely that you will not be able to unpack your things at the other end on the same day.

That’s why you should pack a few emergency boxes in advance containing those things that you need for your first night and the next day. This includes:

• Hygiene items
• Sleepwear
• Clothes for the next day
• Towels
• Bedding
• Basic foodstuffs
• Coffee/tea
• Knife/fork/spoon, essential crockery

Tip 10: Do not pack these things just yet 

It’s possible to be so motivated and focused that you accidentally pack things you will need on the day of the move. You should keep the following items handy for the time being:

• Tools: Screwdriver, hammer and pliers. You will always need tools during the move.
   
• Cleaning products: You will also need cleaning products, refuse sacks, a bucket, brush and cleaning cloths. It may even be a good idea to keep your vacuum cleaner handy until the very end, so you can give your old place a once-over before you leave.
   
• First-aid kit: You cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – and you cannot move house without a few minor injuries. This is why you should have plasters, disinfectant, bandages and painkillers at hand.
   
• Toilet paper and soap: Your helpers should be able to use the bathroom both at your old place and in your new home. Make sure there is toilet paper, soap and towels in there.
   
• Coffee machine and kettle: As well as brewing a cup for yourself the morning after, you might want to offer your helpers a tea or coffee during the move