You're about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys: moving into a new home. You've had a lot of good memories in your home now, but you're going to make amazing memories in the new place.
No matter how far you're going—down the street, on the other side of the city, or across the country—a move is a big job. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and disorganized while you're packing.
But that doesn't mean your move has to be difficult. This ultimate moving supplies checklist will help you prepare to help your move be a little less stressful.
What Is the Cheapest Source of Moving Material?
It's no secret that moving costs can add up quickly. And one of the highest costs is all the material you'll need to pack up your current home. So what's a good source for cheap moving materials?
Turn to the internet, of course. First, you can try local selling and swapping sites like Craigslist, Offer Up, or Facebook Marketplace. Check listings every day to find free or inexpensive used moving supplies like boxes.
You may also want to try furniture or department stores to round out your moving supplies checklist. These stores recycle hundreds of boxes a day, and it's no harm to ask the manager if you can take a few.
If you want to source from stores, steer clear of grocery stores. These boxes are often soiled with food, which won't make them the best moving supplies to use.
The key is to start early because you probably won't get enough boxes to pack your entire home from one listing or one store. However, if you're diligent in collecting moving supplies over a few weeks, you can find what you need.
Where Can I Buy Cheap Moving Supplies?
Maybe you don't want to spend a few weeks gathering all the items from your moving supplies list, but you still don't want to break the budget. You can still get inexpensive moving supplies if you know where to look.
The first place you can look is your moving company. Some moving companies will provide all of the moving supplies necessary at no extra cost to you. Of course, you have to use their services to have access to these free supplies.
Next, you can try traditional stores like Walmart, Lowe's, or Uhaul that sell moving and packing supplies. These stores often sell supplies for cheap or even in bulk. You may also want to try office stores for tape, labels, and markers.
If you need some supplies to do the heavy lifting, you can also rent dollys and hand trucks at hardware stores and local moving stores.
What Supplies Do I Need to Pack for a Move?
You'll need more than boxes to make your move successful. You don't want to begin packing only to find that you're missing some essential supplies. Here is the moving supplies list that will make packing easier:
- Small, medium, and large moving boxes
- Wardrobe boxes
- Packing tape and a tape gun
- Permanent markers in a few different colors
- Packing paper, foam peanuts, or bubble wrap
- Stretch wrap for furniture
- Scissors
- Labels
- Plastic Bags and Baggies
These are the basic essentials that can help you pack up your home. How much of each item you'll need depends on how much you're bringing to your new home.
To get a better idea of what you need and how much, make an inventory. Knowing what items you need to pack up will give you an idea of the supplies you need.
If you have a lot of fragile or valuable items, be sure to buy more cushioning supplies like packing paper and foam peanuts.
It's a good idea to buy more than you need so that you aren't lacking. You'll never regret having too many boxes or extra bubble wrap. But if you have to keep running out to the store for tape, you'll quickly get annoyed.
How to Prepare Before a Move
Moving doesn't only include putting all of your items in boxes. You'll need to take care of a few things beforehand. Here are a few ways to prepare for your upcoming move.
Change Your Mailing Address
Ever lived somewhere where you always got the previous homeowner's mail? Annoying, right? Don't be the homeowner that leaves their junk mail for the new people.
You also don't want to miss receiving your packages or important mail. So change your mailing address to have everything sent to your new home.
Figure Out What to Do With Your Car
Are you going to pack your car and drive it, or would that add too much to your moving stress?
When you're making your plans to move, be sure to put thought into how you're going to get your car to your new place, especially if you're moving across the country.
A car shipping company can make your move much easier by taking the stress of moving a huge piece of your life off your hands.
Get Your Utilities Straight
When you plan to move, you should also transfer all your utilities to your new home. Be sure to have the electricity, water, and gas scheduled to turn off at your old home and turn on at your new home when you're moving in.
You should also make appointments to have your cable and internet services transferred to your new home.
Make a Plan for Pets
How are your pets going to get to your new home? Are they riding shotgun, or is someone going to take care of them while you move? You may want to trust your furry friends to a family member or friend while getting settled.
If they do move with you, consider putting them up in a kennel or a pet hotel while you unpack the truck. This way, your favorite four-legged friends won't get in the way of movers. Then they can join you once you're settled in.
Packing Rules You Should Follow
After you've organized all your supplies and belongings for the move, it's time to do the packing. But don't start by throwing all of your items into boxes without putting a little thought into how you're packing first.
If you want a stress-free move, you have to start by packing well. Here are a few packing rules you should follow before your move.
Start Early
It's easy to procrastinate and put off packing. Putting your entire house into boxes can feel overwhelming. But leaving your packing until the last minute can cause you even more stress.
Instead, start packing early, at least a few weeks in advance. Three weeks before your move, begin with some nonessential items you won't miss while they're in boxes.
As the move gets closer, pack more of your items until you're down to only the essentials. Don't forget to pack an overnight bag with toiletries, medication, clothes, and any other essentials you'll need on your first night.
Don't Overstuff Your Boxes
You might be tempted to get as much of your stuff into a few boxes as possible, but you could run into a problem: overstuffing. Putting too many items in one box can make it harder to lift and more susceptible to tearing and breaking.
An overstuffed box can make moving difficult and dangerous. You or the movers can have trouble lifting and carrying boxes, and it can pose a risk of injury.
Try to pack your heaviest items alone in smaller boxes. And use large boxes to pack multiple small items.
Use Packing Paper for Fragile Items
Everyone knows that fragile items should have padding to avoid breaking in transit. Plates, delicate decor, glass, and ceramic items should all get a generous amount of padding before being packed in a box.
To ensure that none of your items break, be sure to use enough padding and use it correctly. Line the bottom of the box with paddings like packing paper, bubble wrap, or foam.
Individually wrap fragile items in the adding and place them into the box. Add a layer of padding between stacked items. Be sure to fill the box so the items can't move when the box is closed up.
Use Similarly Sized Boxes
It's a good idea to keep your boxes the same general size. That doesn't mean that every box needs to be the exact same size. But avoid mismatched and carried sizes.
This will help you if you load your boxes onto a dolly or have to stack them. This can also help you group your items to keep your move more organized.
Have a Packing Station
A packing station will help keep your packing supplies organized as well as the items you're packing. A dining room table or a kitchen island can provide a large enough workspace for your to spread out.
At a packing station, you can wrap fragile items and pack and label your boxes. This will help your packing move much quicker and much more efficiently.
Supplies to Use During the Move
Now it's moving day, and you'll need moving supplies to help you start living in your new home. The right moving supplies can help make carrying boxes much easier. Here's what to add to your moving supplies list for moving day:
- Dollies (two-wheeled and four-wheeled)
- Stretch wrap
- Furniture blankets
- Furniture slides for carpets and hardwood
- Rope or bungee chords to tie down furniture
- Cleaning supplies for around the house
If you hire a moving company, they will provide a lot of the best moving supplies. They will have the dollies, equipment, and people power to do a lot of the heavy lifting.
The company may also have the equipment to secure your boxes and furniture. But you'll most likely have to supply furniture floor protectors and cleaning supplies yourself.
Tips to Make Moving Day Seamless
Whether you're hiring a moving company or doing the moving yourself, you want your day spent carrying boxes to go seamlessly. Here are a few tips that will help you have a smooth move.
Set Aside Valuables and Essentials
On your moving day, it can be easy to lose track of all your necessary items in the mess of boxes. Keep track of jewelry, cash, electronics, and important documents that can easily be misplaced during the move.
You should also make overnight and first-day kits that include your dental hygiene products, soap, and clothes that you'll need when you move in. This ensures you won't have to dig through boxes for the essentials.
Take Pictures of Your Furniture and Home
You should also take photos to have a record of the condition of your home and furniture before you move in. This ensures that if there's any damage during the moving process, you'll have evidence that it wasn't there before.
Keep the Kids Busy
The last thing you need during your move-in day is little kids running around in the way of the movers. This can be dangerous for the movers, the kids, and your belongings.
Try to keep the kids busy and out of the way with activities. You may even want to have a designated room for them to stay in while the movers do their job. If that's not possible, see if they can stay with friends or family.
What to Do After a Move
Look around; you're living in your new home! But before your rest, there are a few last things you should do.
When you move into a new home, you should always change the locks. You never know who has keys to the home you just moved into. Consider changing the security system as well, so you feel safe in your home.
Then you should start exploring your neighborhood. Take a walk to meet some of your new neighborhoods. And take a drive to see what stores and restaurants are in your area.
And finally, make your new house a home. Hang up decor, and display your family pictures. Do whatever you need to make your home yours and start making memories.
The Best Moving Supplies Checklist to Make Your Move Easy
Moving to a new home is equal parts exciting and stressful. You get the chance to start over, create new memories, and fill a new home with laughter and new experiences.
But before you rest your head in your new home, you have to prepare. There may be a lot to do, but that doesn't mean that your move has to cause unnecessary anxiety.
Follow this ultimate moving supplies checklist to make your move seamless from the first box to the last.
Let us help you make that move easier. Get a quote about shipping your car today!
