Moving house is the ultimate chance to declutter your life and start afresh and yet it`s usually seen as one of the most stressful things to do. We are often asked by our customers how to pack for moving house and my advice is that with a plan in hand, the whole thing becomes way less stressful — even exciting. I’ve moved more times than I care to count (including internationally) so let’s get you packed and prepped without the panic.
1. Start Early and Have a Game Plan
Before you even get that ‘Sold’ sign up, start thinking about your packing timeline. Create a schedule of items you need to pack and a date for doing this. Break it down room by room and begin with the stuff you barely use. Kitchens are the beasts of the packing world, so pace yourself — a few boxes a day, no heroics.
2. The Power of a Post-It note
These are great, especially as they don`t leave any stick residue. Slap them on anything that’s not coming with you and needs to be disposed of. You can also pop Post-It notes onto cupboard doors with a date for when they need to be packed.
Bonus Tip: Post-Its are brilliant for roping in other members of the household (kids especially!) to lend a hand.
3.Declutter Like You Mean It
Use your move as a chance to clear out what you no longer need. Ask yourself, am I taking everything or only certain items? Will I need storage or am I moving house-to-house? Sort items into categories: keep, donate, sell, or recycle. Reducing what you pack saves time, money, and effort.
Sell, donate, recycle — whatever works. Check out local car boot sales and advertise the larger items on social media. Vinted or Ebay works great for unwanted clothing. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can make by doing this – selling items that I no longer needed paid for the lounge carpet in my new home!
3. Label like a legend
Labels will help you and your removal company save time, head off lots of questions and make things go more smoothly.
Try the Traffic Light Trick
Grab red, yellow, and green stickers:
- Red = Stop!! Not going to our new home/ Going into Storage
- Yellow = Unsure! May go on van/may go to storage depending on space
- Green = Go! Definitely going to the new home
4. Use proper packing gear – No Bin Bags allowed
Cheap boxes collapse, and bad tape bites back. Invest in sturdy double-walled boxes, decent bubble wrap, and a hand-held tape dispenser (game-changer).
When taping boxes, remember the Triple S Rule: Seal, Strengthen and Secure with plenty of tape around the bottom.
Wrap your breakables in paper and scrunch more paper between items — the less they rattle, the less they break. And yes, write Fragile on the box (you’d be amazed how many people forget).
5. The Lifesaver: Your Odds and Ends Box
This is the first box you’ll want when you land. Kettle? Mugs? TV remote? Allen keys? Put all the essentials in one clearly marked box. I slapped giant orange labels on mine so I could spot it from across the driveway. First box off, first brew on. Bliss.
We sell everything you need to make your move go smoothly – check out our packing shop online or call into store
How to pack for moving house FAQs
What do you pack first when moving?
Start with non-essential items such as seasonal clothing, spare linens, books, and decorations. Tackle one room at a time, starting with the least-used areas.
How do I reduce moving house stress?
Begin early, declutter before you pack, and follow a plan. Use tools like labels and colour-coded stickers to stay organised.
What’s the best way for labelling moving boxes?
Try the traffic light labelling system: red for storage, yellow for undecided, and green for boxes going to your new home. Also, include room names and brief contents.
What should I put in my essentials or ‘first night’ box?
Include items like a kettle, mugs, tea, toilet paper, basic tools, chargers, and any personal must-haves. Clearly label this box and make it easy to access.
What’s the best way to pack fragile items for moving?
Wrap breakables individually in paper or bubble wrap, fill gaps with scrunched paper, and clearly mark boxes as Fragile. Use strong, double-walled boxes and seal them well.
Is it worth decluttering before moving house?
Yes. Decluttering reduces the volume you have to move, saves time and money, and can even earn you extra cash if you sell unwanted items.
Can kids help with packing?
Yes. Give them simple tasks like sorting their toys or using Post-It notes for labelling. It helps them feel involved and makes things fun.
Are bin bags suitable moving bags for clothes?
Avoid using bin bags — they tear easily and don’t stack well. Use sturdy boxes or vacuum bags instead for better protection and organisation
