Moving to Los Angeles can be an exciting time, and even if you’re just moving to another part of the city, it’s still probably a big moment for you.
However, the packing phase tends to be extremely stressful, and it can get overwhelming.
We’re going to cover 9 tips for packing your home to help you get through it as smoothly as possible.
1. Start Packing Early
This is one of the simplest tips, but it really does help a lot. You don’t want to wait until the last minute. That creates a lot of stress, you’re likely to make big mistakes, and it can end up costing you in the long run.
Start packing about a month ahead of time if you can. If you know you’re going to be moving, you can even get started much earlier than that. Pack up the things you don’t use much or won’t need, and you’ll have less to do closer to moving day.
Even if you don’t have a lot of things you don’t need on a daily basis, starting earlier and getting whatever you can in a box dramatically lowers the amount of work you have to do at once.
2. Get Rid of What You Can
If you have a ton of stuff that you’re really not using, don’t spend time, money, and effort moving it to your new house. It’s just going to sit and collect dust there, too. Starting as soon as you know you’re going to move, try to sell as much of it as you can. This can help offset moving costs, and it keeps things out of the dump.
Obviously, you’re not likely to sell everything. Not every bit of your trash is someone else’s treasure. So, a couple of weeks before moving day, when you need to focus on more important things, take anything that didn’t sell and toss it.
It’s unlikely to sell at the last minute after being listed for months, and that’s just more junk to worry about during a stressful time.
3. Keep Your Pets Comfortable and Move Them Last
You might be excited to go to a new home, but your pets are probably stressed a lot more than you are. They don’t understand what’s going on, you’re probably a lot busier and not paying as much attention to them, and their entire understanding of life is changing.
Try to set aside a part of the home that you’ll make exclusively for your pet throughout the moving process. Put all their favorite toys and bedding items there, put their food and water there, and essentially make them a little retreat of their own. This gives them somewhere they can be comfortable, and it keeps them out of the way.
Save those items to pack up last, too.
4. Don’t Be Cheap with Packing Supplies
Moving is expensive. You already bought or rented a new home, and money is probably tight. However, you don’t want to be cheap when it comes to your moving materials.
Buy proper moving boxes, use plenty of packing material, don’t skimp on tape, and choose the best option possible to transport it all once it’s packed up.
If you try to cut a lot of corners, you can easily end up with broken items that are expensive to replace, and it’s usually harder to move it all, too.
5. Labels Are Essential
As you’re packing, organize items into boxes of similar items or where they’ll go in the new home. Then, make sure you label each box clearly with a permanent marker.
If you’re packing early, this will help you get your items out of boxes quickly if you need them, but it’s an even bigger help when it comes to unpacking at your new home.
Instead of having to open everything up and check what’s inside, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at thanks to the label.
6. Pack Room-by-Room
When you get into the serious packing phase and are packing up items you use frequently, do it room by room.
This is a far more focused approach, will ensure that your items get packed in an organized manner and are easier to get out when you get to your new home, and it makes the process less daunting.
Instead of getting overwhelmed looking at an entire home that needs to be packed, you’re focusing on one room at a time, and that makes it all a lot more manageable.
7. Give Valuables Extra Attention
If you have breakable valuables, don’t just put them in with similar items going to the same room. Put a little more effort into packing them individually. You want to ensure that they arrive at your new home in perfect condition, and if you pack them like everything else, there’s a good chance that won’t happen.
Take an old lamp for example. Instead of packing it into a big box with other lamps or spare bulbs, use a smaller box that’s the right size, give it plenty of packing material to cushion it, and transport it on its own. A lamp’s just an example. Any type of breakable should get this treatment.
8. Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Eat Well
Packing up an entire home is a lot more work than it seems like. You need to take care of yourself while you do it.
Eating right and sleeping well will ensure that you have the energy and focus to get the job done, but it will also help you cope with the stress of the move.
9. Hire Packers
All of that probably seemed like a lot of work and stress, didn’t it? Well, you don’t have to worry about it if you don’t want to.
You can hire a professional packing team that will do the job properly, faster, and without all the stress. It’s well-worth the extra expense.
Handle Your Move with Man with a Truck!
Finding a dependable moving company is essential for a smooth and stress-free relocation. Here’s a pro tip: Whether you’re relocating within Los Angeles or to cities like Bellevue, or San Diego, Man with a Truck has got you covered. We ensure that your belongings are transported safely and efficiently.
As the leading moving company in Los Angeles and beyond, we take pride in delivering top-notch customer service. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals who maintain a customer-first attitude. Our goal is to make your move as seamless and hassle-free as possible, providing peace of mind from start to finish.
Before we call it a day, let’s give a shoutout to the premier moving service ready to manage your move with utmost care and professionalism. If you’re looking for a company to reliably transport your cherished belongings, look no further than Man with a Truck. Contact us today for a free quote, and let our expert team alleviate the stress of your move!
