As you gear up for a long-distance move, packing is one of the most dreaded aspects. It’s time-consuming, energy-draining, and overall not a fun task to tackle. Especially for a long-distance relocation, it’s crucial to take extra measures to properly protect your items while they are in transit. With so many considerations, you might feel daunted by the task.
However, despite its negative reputation, it’s possible to transform packing into a methodical, straightforward process with the right knowledge. Are you interested in finding the best ways to handle packing for your upcoming move? Learn from our ten simple steps!
10 Steps to Pack for Your Long-Distance Move
Packing can seem stressful, but it doesn’t need to be challenging. In fact, when you have the proper know-how, packing for your long-distance move can be a breeze. Discover how in just ten steps…
- Don’t Wait
One of the most important aspects of packing for a long distance move is allowing plenty of time. If you procrastinate the process, you’re doing yourself a disservice. When you start the task as far in advance as possible, you give yourself the opportunity to pack in smaller segments, rather than trying to race to finish in long, exhausting packing sessions.
Packing an entire home can be an incredibly lengthy process, and trying to rush it will only result in disorganization and stress. Instead, get ahead of the game and start preparing as soon as possible.
- Declutter First
Before you even start placing items in boxes, decluttering your home should be the very first step you take. Decluttering lets you sort through your belongings and eliminate the items you no longer want or need. These items can then be recycled through selling or donating, or they can be thrown away depending on their condition.
When you declutter your home ahead of a move, you prevent the risk of wasting time packing items you don’t actually want to bring along with you. Work methodically through your home, sorting through each area. Pay special attention to parts of your house that tend to accumulate clutter. This commonly happens in storage areas such as closets or less frequented areas such as spare bedrooms.
- Get High-Quality Supplies
Next on your list is acquiring high-quality packing supplies. For your upcoming long-distance move, you will need to make sure you’re working with reliable materials to protect your belongings fully.
Prepare to pack by obtaining sturdy cardboard boxes (ideally with a few different size options), packing tape, bubble wrap, permanent markers, resealable bags, moving blankets, mattress covers, and anything else necessary for your specific belongings.
- Split Responsibilities
If you’re completing a move with others, ensure responsibilities are fairly split. Even if you’re moving solo, enlisting the help of trusted friends or family is an effective way to avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed throughout the process.
Sharing the responsibilities can make for a much easier task and allow the job to be completed more quickly and thoroughly.
- Repurpose Your Items (SUITCASES ETC)
As you pack your belongings, remember that boxes aren’t the only supply that can hold your items. Repurposing suitcases—especially rolling luggage—can be a game changer as you go about your move. They can provide convenient transport and safe storage for your items, and they are frequently regarded as the perfect way to transport books.
Utilizing this option is an excellent way to use an item you would already be bringing to your new home and take full advantage of the space it provides. Additionally, an excellent method to keep your items safe in transit is to repurpose blankets or towels as forms of padding to protect your belongings.
- Organize As You Pack
Packing is a lengthy process, and it’s understandable to want to rush through it and get everything done. After all, most people don’t enjoy the task. However, it’s essential to take your time as you pack your items and prioritize organization.
If you keep your boxes tidy and organized during the packing process, you will be able to protect your items more effectively and set yourself up for a more straightforward unpacking process. If your belongings are already organized within their boxes, unpacking is sure to feel like a breeze when you arrive at your new home.
- Label Everything Thoroughly
Another crucial way to set yourself up for an easy unpack is to label, label, and label some more! Labeling will allow you to enhance your belongings’ organization even further and to be aware of what each box contains.
When you arrive at your new home with thoroughly labeled boxes, you will be able to find what you need quickly and conveniently. Include detail in your labels in order to maximize results.
- Disassemble Furniture
When moving large furniture items, make sure you disassemble these pieces as much as possible. While packing full furniture items can prove to be difficult and increase the likelihood of your items sustaining damage, disassembly allows you to more thoroughly protect your furniture and pack the item more easily.
Fully assembled furniture pieces are typically hard to fit on the moving truck amid all the other items, but the pieces are a lot easier to squeeze in.
- Get Moving Insurance
Especially when moving with valuables, moving insurance is a critical protection to give you peace of mind and ensure you won’t end up losing money on your belongings through your move.
If your moving company doesn’t offer insurance coverage, make sure you find coverage elsewhere to keep your items safe.
- Keep Essentials Separately
Last but not least, make sure to pack a bag or box with your essentials to keep separately from your other items. These items will be packed last, and they will stay with you during your long-distance move, rather than being loaded onto the moving truck.
Your essentials kit should contain enough changes of clothes for your travels, toiletries, medication, and any essentials you will need in your time between homes.
Simplified Packing Solutions for Your Long-Distance Move
With these tips in mind, you can pack and prepare for your long-distance move like an expert. Ready to complete your easiest move ever? Rely on the assistance of Austin Moving & Storage, your trusted Long Island movers. Serving the area for three generations, we have the tools and knowledge to complete your relocation with ease.
No matter where you’re headed, our dependable, friendly staff can help you with services that offer convenience and ease. Take the first step in your Austin move today—request a free quote online or call us at (631) 504-0444. We look forward to transforming your move!