Moving an apartment can feel like an impossible task, especially if you have no idea where to start. But don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. If you follow a simple plan and take it one step at a time, you can make moving day a lot easier. Packing isn’t fun, but doing it right will save you headaches later. Let’s go over exactly how to pack for moving an apartment so you don’t end up stressed and overwhelmed.
Packing For an Apartment Move
For the most part, packing for moving out of your apartment are pretty straightforward:
- Gather Packing Materials
- Pack Room by Room
- Label Boxes
- Pack Heavy Items the Right Way
- Loading the Truck
- Arriving at Home
- Get Help
Step 1: Gather Your Packing Essentials
Before you even think about putting stuff in boxes, you need packing essentials. Running around trying to find tape and boxes at the last minute is a surefire way to make your move a disaster. Get everything together first, so you don’t have to stop in the middle of packing.
You’ll need packing boxes in different sizes. Big boxes are great for lightweight things like pillows and blankets, but you need smaller boxes for heavier items so you don’t break your back carrying them. Get bubble wrap for fragile stuff and packing paper to keep things from getting scratched.
Use plastic wrap to keep bottles from leaking and a trash bag for quick packing of things like clothes and stuffed animals. And don’t forget labeling boxes—if you don’t label them, you’ll have no idea where anything is when you get to your new place.
One of the most important things is keeping track of important documents. Put things like passports, leases, and financial paperwork in a safe place where you won’t lose them. The last thing you want is to be digging through a box of pots and pans looking for your rental agreement.
Step 2: Pack Room by Room to Stay Organized
The best way to stay organized while packing is to go room by room. If you try to pack everything at once, your apartment will turn into a disaster zone. Focus on one space at a time, starting with the rooms you use the least.
Start by packing up the living room. Wrap anything breakable in bubble wrap and fill in the empty spaces in boxes with packing paper so things don’t shift around. If you have books, put them in smaller boxes since books are heavy items and you don’t want to make a box too heavy to lift.
For the kitchen, use plastic wrap to keep liquids from spilling and wrap plates individually with packing paper. Stack them on their sides instead of flat so they don’t break. Silverware can go in a trash bag or wrapped in a dish towel to keep it together.
In the bedroom, keep clothes on their hangers and slide them into a trash bag for a cheap, easy packing method. Shoes should go in their own boxes or be wrapped in plastic wrap to keep them from getting everything else dirty.
For the bathroom, pack essentials like soap, shampoo, and toothbrushes separately so you can find them easily when arriving at your new home. Everything else can go in a box lined with packing paper to prevent leaks.
Step 3: Labeling Boxes and Using a Color Code
This might seem like extra work, but trust me—it will save you from total chaos later. Labeling boxes is one of the smartest things you can do when packing. Write exactly what’s inside each box and which room it belongs to. When arriving at your new home, you’ll know exactly where everything goes without having to open every box.
If you want to take it up a notch, use a color code for different rooms. For example, use blue tape for the living room, red for the kitchen, and green for the bedroom. This way, even if you can’t read what’s on the boxes, you’ll know where they belong just by the tape color.
Step 4: How to Pack Heavy Items the Right Way
A lot of people make the mistake of throwing heavy items into big boxes. That’s a recipe for disaster. Boxes get too heavy to lift, and they can even break. Instead, always put heavier items in small boxes so they’re easier to carry.
When packing boxes, put heavy items at the bottom and lighter ones on top. This stops things from getting crushed. If you’re packing something fragile along with heavier stuff, make sure to use bubble wrap and packing paper to keep it safe.
Don’t put important documents in random boxes. Keep them in a bag or a small box you’ll have with you on moving day. That way, you won’t lose them in the chaos.
Step 5: Loading the Moving Truck Smartly
Once you’ve got everything packed, it’s time to load the moving truck. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do this. If you just throw things in randomly, you’ll have a mess when you arrive.
Start by loading heavier items first, like furniture and big boxes. They should go in the back of the truck to keep the weight balanced. Then, add medium-sized boxes, followed by smaller ones. Use plastic wrap to keep drawers and doors from flying open while the truck is moving.
Keep your important documents in your car, not in the moving truck. The same goes for things you’ll need right away, like toiletries, clothes, and snacks.
Step 6: Arriving at Your New Home
When you finally get to your new place, don’t just start ripping boxes open randomly. Take a second to check the labels and put boxes in the right rooms. Since you used a color code, this should be easy.
Unpack room by room instead of all at once. Start with essentials like the kitchen and bedroom so you can eat and sleep comfortably. Don’t forget to take out your important documents and put them in a safe place.
Once everything is unpacked, get rid of the empty boxes and used packing paper so your place doesn’t feel like a storage unit.
How to Pack For Moving an Apartment: Need a Hand?
Packing for a move doesn’t have to be a nightmare. The key is to stay organized, use the right materials, and take it step by step. Packing boxes the right way, using bubble wrap for fragile items, and keeping important documents separate will make moving day go a lot smoother.
Need help? Smooth Move People is here to make your move stress-free. Let us do the heavy lifting so you can focus on getting settled in your new home. Call us today to schedule your move!
