📦 The Ultimate Moving Guide
⏱ Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
📥 Includes 6 Free Printable Downloads
How to Pack Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind)
Welcome
Moving is one of life’s biggest adventures.
It’s exciting…
It’s emotional…
And if we’re being honest…
It can also feel completely overwhelming.
After helping hundreds of families buy and sell homes over the years, I’ve discovered something:
The people who have the smoothest moves aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest houses.
They’re the ones who have a plan.
This guide is filled with my favorite moving tips, organization ideas, packing hacks, and little tricks I’ve learned over the years.
My hope is that it saves you time, reduces stress, and maybe even makes you smile along the way.
So grab a cup of coffee…
Let’s get packing.
📅 Start Earlier Than You Think
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the last week before moving to begin packing.
Instead, start with the things you won’t need for a while.
Great items to pack first include:
✔ Seasonal decorations
✔ Books
✔ Home décor
✔ Collectibles
✔ Out-of-season clothing
✔ Extra blankets and linens
✔ Items stored in the basement or attic
Packing a little every week is far less stressful than trying to pack your entire home in one weekend.
💗 My Perspective
Moving isn’t a sprint.
A few boxes every day feels much better than fifty boxes the night before the movers arrive.
🏡 Pack One Room at a Time
Avoid mixing rooms together.
Kitchen items belong in kitchen boxes.
Bathroom items belong in bathroom boxes.
Bedroom items belong in bedroom boxes.
When you arrive at your new home, unpacking becomes much easier because everything already belongs where it’s going.
🔢 Number Every Box
Don’t stop at writing “Kitchen.”
Instead, write something like:
Kitchen – Box #12
Then keep an inventory sheet.
Example:
Box #12
• Blender
• Mixing bowls
• Cookie cutters
• Measuring cups
• Rolling pin
Need your cookie cutters six months later?
You won’t have to open ten boxes looking for them.
You’ll know exactly where they are.
💗 My Perspective
Organization during packing saves hours of frustration later.
🏷️ Label More Than the Top
Boxes get stacked.
You won’t always see the top.
Label:
✔ Top
✔ One Side
✔ Other Side
Now no matter how boxes are stacked, you’ll know exactly where they belong.
🍺 My Favorite Glass Packing Hack
Here’s one of my favorite moving tricks.
Ask your local liquor store, your friends, yourself…. if they have empty beer cases with the cardboard dividers still inside.
Most stores are happy to give them away.
They’re perfect for packing drinking glasses.
Simply place one glass into each divider.
The cardboard separates the glasses, which often means you don’t have to wrap every single one individually.
It’s one of the easiest ways to save both time and packing paper.
💗 My Perspective
Sometimes the best moving supplies are free.
🍴 Keep Silverware Together
Don’t scatter forks, knives, and spoons throughout different boxes.
Wrap each group together or place them in labeled zip-top bags.
You’ll be amazed how nice it is to know exactly where your silverware is the first morning in your new home.
⭐ My #1 Packing Tip
📦 Create a “Priority Box”
If I could only give you one piece of moving advice…
This would be it.
Pack one box that contains everything you’ll need if you don’t unpack another box for an entire week.
Seriously.
Pretend you’re going on vacation to your own house.
Include:
🍽️ A few plates or paper plates
🥤 Drinking glasses
🍴 Forks, knives, and spoons
🍳 One or two pans
☕
Coffee maker
Coffee
Coffee mugs
🧂 Salt & pepper
🧻 Paper towels
🧼 Dish soap
🧴 Shampoo
🪥 Toothbrushes
🦷 Toothpaste
🧼 Bath soap
🚽 Toilet paper
💊 Medications
📱 Phone chargers
🔦 Flashlight
🔧 Screwdriver
🔨 Hammer
✂️ Box cutter
🧹 Cleaning supplies
🐶 Pet food
👕 A few days of clothes
🛏️ Sheets, blankets, and pillows
You may unpack everything the first day.
Or…
Life may happen.
Either way…
You’ll have everything you need.
💗 My Perspective
If every moving box disappeared except one…
This is the box I’d want to keep.
📸 Take Pictures Before You Unplug Electronics
Before disconnecting:
📺 TV
💻 Computer
📡 Internet Router
🎮 Gaming Systems
🎵 Stereo
Take a quick picture of the cords.
Future You will thank Present You.
📂 Keep Important Documents With You
Never pack these on the moving truck.
Keep them somewhere safe and in your possession.
• Closing Documents
• Passports
• Birth Certificates
• Social Security Cards
• Jewelry
• Insurance Papers
• Checkbooks
• Pet Records
• Medications
These are things you never want to search for after moving day.
📦 Use the Right Size Box
Large boxes are perfect for:
✔ Pillows
✔ Blankets
✔ Bedding
✔ Towels
Small boxes are perfect for:
✔ Books
✔ Dishes
✔ Tools
✔ Pantry Items
Remember…
Heavy items belong in small boxes.
Your back will thank you.
📏 Measure Before Moving Day
Before moving furniture into your new home, measure:
Doorways
Hallways
Staircases
Large furniture
You don’t want to discover your sectional won’t fit after you’ve carried it up two flights of stairs.
🚫 Common Packing Mistakes
❌ Waiting until the last minute
❌ Forgetting to label boxes
❌ Mixing rooms together
❌ Overloading large boxes
❌ Packing important documents
❌ Forgetting your Priority Box
❌ Packing cleaning supplies too soon
❌ Forgetting to take photos of electronics
❌ Not measuring furniture
🎉 Celebrate Progress
Every packed box is progress.
Don’t focus on how much is left.
Celebrate how much you’ve already accomplished.
One room.
One box.
One day at a time.
📥 Helpful Downloads
To make your move even easier, don’t forget to download these free resources.
📦 Printable Moving Box Inventory Sheets
🏷️ Printable Box Labels (Each Separate Room on Resource Page)
✔️ Room-by-Room Packing Checklist
💗 One Last Thought From Karyn
Moving is so much more than packing boxes.
You’re closing one chapter and beginning another.
Some days you’ll feel excited.
Some days you’ll feel exhausted.
Both are perfectly normal.
Give yourself grace.
You don’t have to unpack everything in a weekend.
One room at a time.
One box at a time.
One memory at a time.
Before long…
Your new house won’t just be where you live.
It’ll be home.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey.
I wish you many years of happiness in your new home.
Congratulations on your new adventure!
— Karyn Murphy
📥 Complimentary Downloads
To make your move a little easier, I’ve created these printable resources for you.
🖨️ Printable Moving Box Inventory Sheets
Keep track of every box so you always know where your belongings are.
🏷️ Printable Box Labels
Large, easy-to-read labels to help movers know exactly where each box belongs.
⭐ Priority Box Checklist
Everything you’ll need if you don’t unpack another box for a week.
🚚 Moving Week Timeline
A simple week-by-week checklist to help keep your move on track.
📬 Change of Address Checklist
Don’t forget to notify important people, companies, and service providers.
🏡 Room-by-Room Packing Checklist
Stay organized by packing one room at a time.
📚 You May Also Enjoy…
If you’re preparing to sell your home, these guides may also be helpful.
🏡 Home Preparation Guide
Simple tips to help your home make an outstanding first impression.
👀 My Showing Guide
Learn how to prepare for every showing with less stress and better results.
🔑 Closing Guide
Know exactly what to expect from accepted offer through closing day.
📘 Questions I Love Answering
Honest answers to the questions homeowners ask me every week.
💗 Ask Karyn
Still have a question?
Whether you need advice on packing, preparing your home, choosing movers, or simply want a second opinion…
I’m always happy to help.
Real estate isn’t just about buying and selling homes.
It’s about helping people through one of life’s biggest transitions, and I’d be honored to help you through yours.
📞 Call Me * 📱 Text Me * 📧 Email Me
Karyn Murphy 708-278.6996 KarynMurphyRE@gmail.com
💗 My Promise
No question is too small.
If it’s important to you…
It’s important to me.
Whether you’re just getting started, packing your first box, or settling into your new home, I’m here to help make the journey a little easier.
Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a smooth move and many happy memories in your next home.
— Karyn Murphy