Moving house has a funny way of sneaking up on you. One minute you feel organised, the next you’re wondering did you always have four kitchen stools? You could have sworn you only bought three.
Where has all this miscellaneous junk come from that’s cluttering up your drawers? Well, all of it needs to be sorted out and packed away for that big move.
This practical guide will walk you through what to pack, when to pack it, and how to stay sane, with simple tips that make moving house feel manageable rather than miserable.
Ideally, you should start packing 4-6 weeks before moving day.
That might sound early, but starting sooner means:
If you’re between homes or renovating, self storage for moving house can give you the breathing space to pack gradually instead of all at once.
The golden rule: pack what you use least first.
Start with spare bedrooms, lofts, garages and the shed. This also might be the time for books, décor, and off-season clothes.
You’ll want to leave kitchen essentials, daily clothes, bathroom items, and bedding until last.
This approach means your home is still functional, while slowly chipping away at the process.
Always opt for robust, high-quality boxes that will be able to withstand the weight of your things.
You will also need things like bubble wrap for delicate objects and tape to keep everything together.
At Kangaroo, our Box Shop sells a wide range of packaging materials and accessories, including different sized boxes, rope, bubble wrap, tissue paper and furniture covers.
Once everything is boxed up, it will be a nightmare trying to figure out what’s inside everything if you’ve not written it on the box. Make sure you label the box with the room, whether it contains fragile items and which way up it should be. Also make a note if the box contains any hazardous items, such as knives or cleaning supplies.
Packing Tips
Check out our post on our tips for packing up your belongings.
If time is tight, focus on what’s most efficient, without cutting corners.
Declutter Your House
Start by decluttering all your rooms, throw out/donate all those things you won’t be needing in your new house. Take a box or a bag and remove everything you no longer need.
Create an Inventory
An inventory will help you keep an eye on everything you’re moving, so nothing gets lost or misplaced. Create a list for each room to break it all down.
Start with the Least Important Rooms
Start with unused rooms like the guest room and the garage and leave the everyday items until the day before your move.
Take Photos of Electronics
Come move in day you’ll regret not taking a photo of the wires at the back of your TV or computer. It’ll make setting everything back up the way you had it before a lot easier, especially if you’re not much of a tech wiz.
Save Copies of Important Documents
Essential documents should be put away in files and kept safe, but it pays to have a digital backup copy. Scan all those important documents onto the computer, so you have a copy if needed.
Bedroom
Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
During those first few days in your new home, you’ll no doubt be living amongst unpacked boxes as you get everything sorted. Make sure you pack a separate box or bag of first-day essentials:
We hope your move is as smooth and as hassle-free as possible. At Kangaroo we provide self storage across the UK. Contact us today, and a friendly member of our team would be more than happy to help.
