How to Pack for a Move Like the Experts

Packing up all of your belongings to move home can be a daunting prospect. With so much to pack and move safely, you might not know the best way to package and transport your items so they get to your new home in one piece

As experts in home removals and one of the leading moving companies in the UK, Britannia Movers International has put together this guide to help reduce your moving stress and get you packing like a pro.

Gather your materials

Before you pack anything, you should make sure you have the correct materials. This will include different sizes of strong, quality boxes, packing tape, packing paper and bubble wrap. Think about the sorts of items you have to move – if you have a lot of fragile or delicate items, you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of bubble wrap to keep them safe. If you have a lot of art to move, you may need specialist padded bags or crates to keep them safe.

When you put your boxes together, ensure the bottoms are taped securely with strong tape. This will help to reduce the likelihood of the box opening as it is transported.

You can speak to your removals company to see if they can help by providing packing materials. At Britannia Movers International, we can provide you with all the packing materials you will need, including for specialist and fragile items.

Clearly label your boxes

Labelling your boxes will make it super simple when it comes to unpacking in your new home. You should avoid putting items from different rooms in the same box, as this can complicate things. Labelling your boxes should at the very least include what room the contents need to go in, but you could also add more detail, such as “kitchen – utensils”, to make it easier to find what you need.

Alternatively, you can make an inventory list and a system for labelling your boxes and finding the contents. You can read our guide on how tomoving boxes for more detailed tips.

Size matters

When it comes to packing your belongings, it can be best to put heavy items in smaller boxes, and lighter items in bigger boxes. This will prevent a box from being overloaded and too heavy, which would make it difficult to transport and could damage the box and the contents.

When packing a box, put the heavier items at the bottom and try to evenly distribute them across the box. This will also help to make the box easier to transport and should keep it balanced throughout the journey. Putting heavy items all on one side of the box could cause it to tip over and damage the contents. Keeping the lighter items at the top will prevent them from getting squashed and breaking.

Don’t allow empty space

If you have empty space in a box, the contents could move around during transportation and break. So, you should fill empty space with bubble wrap, tissue paper, or newspaper. You could also use your towels and linen to fill empty space but be aware that they may need to be cleaned afterwards.

Take extra care with kitchen items

Your kitchen will probably contain the largest number of breakable items, so you will need to take extra care when packing up this room. To pack your plates, mugs, and bowls, put paper around each item first. You can then bundle a few plates or bowls or mugs together and wrap them so they’re secure. Stacking plates on their side in a box will mean they are stronger than packing them flat – just make sure they are stood up securely with plenty of material around them.

For glasses, ideally, you could use a box that has dividers within it and wrap with packing paper or bubble wrap. This will keep the glassware secure and prevent any items from knocking against each other. If you don’t have a box with dividers, wrap each item carefully in bubble wrap and put the widest part of the glass facing down in the box. This will be the best way to keep them stable.

Pots and pans can be stacked but you should include some packing paper in between each item. This is especially important for non-stick items, as it will prevent the surfaces from being scratched.

Find the best option for your wardrobe

There are a few different ways to transport your clothes when you move. Folded clothes can easily be moved in a packing box or suitcase. For your clothes that are hanging up, you can use a special wardrobe packing box that has a hanging rail. This allows you to easily move the items without having to take them on and off the hangers.

Shoes should be wrapped individually to prevent damage and also to stop dirt from transferring to another shoe. If you still have the shoe boxes, you can transport your shoes in these. Stuffing socks into the ends of the shoes can help them to retain their shape as you move.

Transporting jewellery can be tricky, as these items will be delicate. If you have jewellery boxes, keep your items in these and ensure that they travel with you, along with money, currency, passports and documentation. You can see all our recommendations for packing via Britannia Movers’ terms and conditions.

Pack your essentials separately

One of the best moving tips is to keep a separate box of the first items you’ll need when you arrive in your new home. This could include the kettle with mugs and tea or coffee, as well as essential toiletries, clothes and chargers to keep you going for the first 24 hours before you unpack all your items.

If you have pets and/or children, make sure you have their essential items too, such as food, snacks, and a few toys.

As per our recommendations earlier, you should also ensure your important documents are kept together and safe, so they’re always accessible during the move. This could include your driving licence, passport and other documents such as your birth certificate. Keep everything together in a folder and keep them with you at all times.

Consider a professional packing service

One of the easiest ways to pack like the experts is to get the experts to pack for you! At Britannia Movers International, we provide professional packing services for our customers. We offer a full packing service, where you won’t have to lift a finger, or a part packing service, where you can tell us which items you’d like us to take care of, and you can pack the rest.

Our highly trained team can take care of packing any and all of your belongings, including fragile and valuable items. We have the necessary skills and materials to ensure all your items arrive safe and secure in your new home.

Moving home? For reliable removals in your area, find your nearest Britannia office or get a removals quote today.