You have decided to move, and because you have lots of time, you can slowly pack items with care and attention while whistling a happy tune. Boy, that would be nice! Most times, though, we have to pack at the last minute because our lives are chaotic, and we just can’t find the time to pack in advance.
If you are one of these people or you have a sudden move that leaves you no time to prepare, do not panic. While it may seem overwhelming, you can get your stuff ready for a move in as little as a week, a few days or even 24 hrs.
What’s the secret? Here is how to pack for a move-in one day.
1. Make a Master List
This is your game book for packing day and one you need to set up for success. Start by doing a home walk-through and opening up every cabinet, cupboard, drawer and closet as you write down your inventory.
Take note of any big items that will travel alone, and then estimate how many boxes or bags are needed for every area. It’s best to pack items together from where they came from to where they are going because this will make it faster on both ends.
This is also a great way to determine what you are keeping, donating and throwing away. Be very detailed in your master list so that on packing day, you can hit the ground running.
2. Get Up Early
They say the early bird gets the worm, but why not get up before the worm itself? You need to make the most out of your 24 hours, and daylight is the best time to get it done.
An early riser starts as an early-to-bed person the night before, so shut down all your electronics and get there by 9 pm. That way, you can set the alarm for 5 am and still have 8 hours of sleep under your belt. Starting early will give you the most workable hours, so rise and shine and start hustling.
3. Storage Containers
Packing is chaotic, and moving is even worse. A much better solution is to pack everything up and then put it in a portable storage container right in your driveway. This is how you become super efficient because you are already moving things around, so you may as well carry it a few more steps out the door and into a secure bin.
Portable storage container rentals are perfect for quick moves because they can be delivered and dropped onto your property to organize and stow everything. Then when moving day arrives, you just make a call, and the company comes and picks it up, drives it to your new place and drops it off. It’s kinda like having your huge moving truck without the hassle. You can have these containers for as long as you want, so once they are at your new place, you can leisurely unpack without being rushed.
4. Enlist As Much Help As You Can
This will be a whirlwind day, so the more hands on deck, the better. It’s not hard to find family and friends to help out if you offer incentives like food and drink. This turns a nasty packing job into a spirited event that may create memories and laughter.
If you can afford it, hire some professional packers and be the grunt that brings items to them. They do this for a living and can make short work of the project.
5. Pack Room by Room
It will go really slow if you start running around and doing a little bit of packing in all corners of your home. It’s much better to complete one room at a time and then move to the next room. This keeps everyone on task and is a better system for packing stuff that will live together in the next place.
For clothes, leave them neatly folded in the drawers and then on a moving day, you can carry them out one by one, The closet stuff can go in boxes and bags, and big items get carried out by a few strong individuals.
6. Have a Post-Move Bag on the Counter
As you are packing, have a post-move bag you can throw things in from every room. This essentials bag will house all the must-haves when you arrive in your new place.
There will be toiletries, some clothes, a sparse cooking and eating set, device chargers and anything else you need as soon as you arrive. Every household member should have this go bag to help them on the other end but make sure they pack only the first night essentials.
Packing up a home in 24 hours is challenging but doable. Follow these steps to pack for a move in one day and see how organization and technique make all the difference.