Moving into a new home can be an exciting – and stressful time. As with all “good stress” type situations, it is easy to forget something and find yourself underprepared.
While many of these items might seem obvious, you never know what you’re missing until you need it! Here are a few items that you should add to your list to make sure you are ready for your big move:
Boxes
Of course! Boxes. But, what kind of boxes? When you are moving and loading a truck, it is extremely helpful to have all of the boxes be relatively the same size and shape. While there are going to be a few outliers, the more you can keep things uniformed, the easier your move will be.
Think about it, if you could walk up to a stack of four boxes that are all the same size and just lift it with a hand truck and roll it away – wouldn’t that be much easier than having to lift and carry several different-sized boxes?
Make sure you grab some wardrobe boxes and those with the little dividers in them for your shoes. This can make packing and unpacking a lot easier.
Packing Tape
There are a variety of different types of packing tape – it is best to get the heavy duty stuff. Don’t go generic when you’re buying packing tape – you don’t want the bottom of your box to come flying open when you are carrying your box of glass dishes.
Also, consider buying a few rolls of the tape that identifies which room the items in the box go in. This can make unloading the truck go much fast as you can easily carry each box to the room where it will be unpacked.
Moving Blankets
Whether you have a houseful of antique furniture or furniture that was delivered to your home in a box with an allen wrench – moving blankets are essential.
Not only do they work great for padding and protecting your furniture but, they are also great for stuffing into spaces and corners of the moving truck to make sure that items don’t roll around and get broken.
This is especially important if you have several large mirrors or paintings that are in glass frames. Standing them up between the back of the couch and a dresser is a good way to keep them protected and especially if you stuff a couple of moving blankets in the space as well.
Stretch Wrap
Most people don’t think about stretch wrap as being a moving tool. However, if you have a stack of mismatched boxes that aren’t quite secure or even a mattress that needs protecting from dirt – plastic stretch wrap is just what you need!
It also works great for that random plastic tub that you filled with stuff but realized you don’t have a lid for. And, if you need to move an unusually large piece of furniture but don’t have moving straps a few strands of mover’s plastic stretch wrap rolled together will make a strong rope that you can use to life the furniture.
Bubble Wrap
This item is absolutely necessary if you are packing boxes and moving your home from one place to another.
Using bubble wrap to protect your dishes can help to ensure that you don’t get to the new place with a box full of glass shards rather than plates.
It’s also great for protecting the corners of your frames or even for wrapping small knick knacks in to make sure all of your keepsakes make it to the new place safely
Packing Paper
This is not the same thing as the tissue paper that you use when wrapping presents. This is a brown paper that is similar to butcher paper you see at the grocery store meat counter.
It is great for filling up the spaces in boxes to make sure that items don’t shift around in the box and become damaged or broken.
We all know that there is never a time when you pack a box and everything fits just perfectly – so, use wads of packing paper to fill the space and holes to avoid items shifting.
Make sure your move goes off without a hitch by adding these items to your list! Also, don’t forget the moving dolly and a couple of box knives – these come in handy. Finally, make sure to always lift with your legs and not with your back.
Happy moving!