• Start by packing the things you aren’t immediately using
• Pack like items together & label each box by room and contents.
• Fill dead space in the box with padding to avoid breakages.
• Mark boxes containing sharp or glass items as sharp or fragile, as appropriate
• Use specialty containers or boxes for TVs & clothes
• Keep screws & hardware in Ziplocs taped to the disassembled items.
• Safety first. Do not overstuff your boxes that they are so heavy that no one can move them
• Know your limitations. Certain items are best left to the professionals, who are experts at packing.
• Finish your packing the night before your move.
• First night box – for change of clothes, toiletries, medications, favorite toys for kids & pets, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, snacks, tools, first aid kit, drinks, paper plates, plastic utensils & cups.

Pare down your possessions & take only items with high practical, aesthetic, or sentimental value to your new home.

• Make a moving inventory & take photos, so you have proof of their condition before the move.
• Check with the movers for any items that they won’t load for safety reasons.
• Designate a work area in each room, so you always know where supplies are.

Before you begin packing, get all the supplies you need to make packing for your move
easier. These include:

• Boxes
• Padding
• Blankets
• Tape
• Laundry Bags
• Plastic Bags & Containers

The bathroom is one of the trickiest rooms to pack as there are typically lots of small items.

• Medicines & Toiletries - throw away anything that is expired, dried out, unidentifiable or no longer useful. Keep your prescription medicines with you.
• Hazardous Products - place items in a separate box for you to move.
• Towels & Shower Curtains - pack only when completely dry.

The kitchen is full of bulky, fragile & odd items. Label your fragile boxes or boxes that may have sharp items in them where necessary, not only for their protection but yours also.

• Refrigerator & Freezer - defrost the freezer at least 48 hours before moving day.
• Dishes & Cups - wrap breakables individually. Avoid stacking glasses on top of one another.
• Silverware & Utensils - pick upwhole drawer insert & wrap together.
• Small Appliances - remove sharpblades, wrap cords & secure withduct tape.
• Food - use coolers for your fridge& freezer items.
• Pots & Pans - nestle pots & pansand wrap any glass lids.
• Cookbooks - place in a small box.
• Large Appliances - make surethey are drained & tape cords tothe back. Havea professional disconnect them.

Your home office will need to be packed with great care as it most certainly contains plenty of important documents & expensive electronics.

• Computer - back up all files, copy to an external hard drive & then the cloud! Carry the external hard drive with you for extra protection. Tape any cables & leads to the equipment.
• Other Electronics such as mouse, keyboard, webcam, scanners, printers - follow same instructions as for the computer. Mark all leads for easy re-installation! Remove all toners & ink cartridges.
• Desk & Desk Chair - drawers can typically be wrapped with stretch wrap & kept with the contents if its not too heavy. Otherwise you may have to empty into boxes & cover furniture & desk in blankets.
• Documents & Files - sort out your paper documents (burn or shred old & irrelevant ones to protect yourself from identity theft). Keep your important documents with you at all times.

The bedroom should be the last room to pack. But, you can pre-pack some of the items beforehand & leave only the bed & a change of clothes for the morning of moving day.

• Beds & Mattresses - disassemble & keep hardware in a Ziploc. Linens go into laundry bags & mattresses can either be shrink-wrapped or placed into special sized mattress bags.
• Dressers & Drawers - depending on the original weight, drawers can be removed & shrink wrapped individually or wrapped while still inside the mainframe.
• Furniture & Vanity Units - wrap in blankets & tape, making sure all corners are covered. Disassemble keeping Ziplocs of hardware attached to the unit.
• Wardrobes - hire or buy wardrobe boxes for hanging items. Might not be the cheapest way but saves you time, effort & energy. There will be dead space in the bottom of the boxes which is ideal for handbags, shoes or bulky items

Packing a dining room requires a lot of time & care as it is full of delicate & expensive items. Where possible leave this to the professionals.

• Dining/Coffee/End Tables - disassemble & wrap in blankets, making sure all corners are fully covered & protected.
• Chairs - wrap the arms & legs with bubble wrap. Protect the upholstered seats & chair backs with stretch wrap. Wrap the entire chairs in moving blankets, using packing tape or ropes.
• Cabinets & Cupboards - disassemble & put the small hardware parts from each piece of furniture into a separate sealable plastic bag & tape securely to the corresponding item. Pack larger furniture parts separately (be extra careful with glass elements, such as showcases & glass doors). Protect any protruding parts with bubble wrap & pay special attention to decorative elements. Wrap the entire furniture piece in moving blankets & secure them in place.
• Lamps & Chandeliers - remove bulbs, shades & elements. Wrap cords & wires around the items & add plenty of cushioning inside the box.
• Paintings & Photographs - use painter’s tape to make a big “X” on the glass surface (it will keep cracked or broken pieces in place). It's a good idea to use picture/mirror boxes for these items.
• Vases, Statues & Other Art - use sturdy moving boxes & provide plenty of cushioning for better protection.
• TV - wrap in a well-padded box of appropriate size. Keep cables, wall mounts & cords together where possible.
• Stereo, Speakers & Game Consoles - wrap in a few layers of bubble wrap providing plenty of cushioning.
• Music - pack old Vinyl collection that is worth a lot, whether monetarily or personally, with a lot of padding & perhaps make arrangements to move it yourself.
• Couches, Ottomans & Other Upholstered Furniture - disassemble & use shrink wrap to protect the upholstery from dirt, dust & moisture. Wrap the furniture in moving blankets or buy furniture bags which can take these items as a whole.
• TV Cabinets - secure doors & drawers so that they won’t open during transit. Wrap the cabinet in moving blankets & keep them in place with shrink wrap or packing tape.
• Bookshelves - detach the shelves & wrap all pieces in moving blankets.
• Books - load into boxes, but make sure they aren't overfilled so you can't lift the box!

There are always a few other items around the house that often get over-looked.

• Draperies & Curtains - pack drapes & curtains in large cartons to protect them from dirt & damage during transit. Alternatively, use large plastic bags or plastic wrap.
• Rugs - roll and secure with plastic ties and cover with shrink wrap for extra safety.
• Grills, Gardening & Other Tools - detach any parts, secure in place, make sure any fluids are drained & wrap securely to ensure minimal damage.
• Lawn & Deck Furniture - treat exactly like the other furniture in your house. Disassemble & wrap in old blankets.
• Cars & other motorized vehicles - check with your transport specialist to comply with regulations.
• Garage, Loft & Basement - don't forget to check all these areas thoroughly, you never know what treasures you may find!