Essential Tips for Packing Your Belongings
Packing for a US move can ease stress, save time, and protect your belongings. At Los Angeles Moving, founded in 2014 by Ethan Chambers, we guide clients through smart packing strategies. Whether DIY or professional, start early (4-6 weeks), use quality supplies, keep boxes under 50 pounds, and label contents clearly by room and fragility.
General Packing Strategies
Lay a strong foundation with these overarching tips to streamline the entire process.
- Declutter Before Packing: Sort items into keep, donate, sell, or discard categories. This reduces volume, lowers moving costs, and simplifies your new space. Use apps like OfferUp for sales or donate to local charities.
- Create an Inventory List: Catalog everything room by room using a spreadsheet or app. This helps track items, estimate supplies needed, and file insurance claims if necessary.
- Pack an Essentials Kit: Prepare a “first-night” box with toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, important documents, chargers, and basic kitchen items. Keep it accessible during the move.
- Label and Color-Code: Mark boxes with detailed descriptions and use color stickers for each room (e.g., blue for kitchen). Include handling instructions like “Fragile” or “This Side Up.”
Room-Specific Packing Advice
Tailor your approach to different areas of the home for better organization.
Kitchen Items
Kitchens have many breakables and perishables, so pack methodically.
- Wrap dishes and glassware individually in paper or bubble wrap, stacking plates vertically like records in divided boxes.
- Bundle utensils with rubber bands and wrap sharp knives in towels; pack pots/pans with paper separators to avoid scratches.
- Clean and empty appliances; tape cords and doors. Discard or donate perishables to prevent spills or odors.
Bedroom and Clothing
Focus on protecting fabrics and reducing wrinkles.
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to keep them on hangers; roll or fold other items into suitcases or medium boxes.
- Stuff shoes with socks to maintain shape and pack in small boxes; use linens as padding for fragile items.
- Pack jewelry in organizers or egg cartons to prevent tangles; carry valuables personally.
Living Room and Electronics
Handle delicate tech and furniture with care.
- Disassemble furniture if possible, bagging hardware and taping it to pieces; wrap in blankets or shrink wrap.
- Use original boxes for electronics or foam-lined ones; coil and label cords, remove batteries.
- Pack books flat in small boxes to avoid spine damage; wrap decor like lampshades in paper.
Bathroom and Miscellaneous
These areas often have small, leak-prone items.
- Seal liquids in plastic bags inside boxes; pack toiletries upright in waterproof containers.
- Group small hardware or office supplies in labeled zip bags; use them to fill gaps in other boxes.
- For art or mirrors, use specialized boxes with corner protectors and bubble wrap.
Pro Tips for an Efficient Pack
Elevate your packing with these advanced suggestions from Los Angeles Moving‘s experts.
- Fill Gaps Securely: Use soft items like towels or clothing to cushion and prevent shifting inside boxes.
- Go Eco-Friendly: Opt for reusable crates or recycled materials to reduce waste—aligning with sustainable practices we’ve promoted since 2014.
- Professional Assistance: If overwhelmed, consider our packing services at Los Angeles Moving for expert handling and insurance coverage.
- Final Check: Walk through rooms after packing to ensure nothing’s left behind, and take photos of setups for reassembly.