Moving can be a difficult process, and it’s important to have some tools under your belt to make sure moving day goes as smoothly as possible. During this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to pack for a move ahead of time, plus provide packing apartment tips.

We recommend starting the packing process a few weeks before moving day so that you are not too overwhelmed on the day of the big move. You need to begin the process by decluttering and donating items you no longer use.

Take some time to find some free moving boxes, prepare a moving day bag and accessible snacks, plan your meals for the week of the move, and keep track of any tax-deductible moving expenses. Once you have prepared for the moving process, you can start the packing process.

Want to know how to move quickly? Here are some of our top tips for packing as quickly as possible:

- Pack least used items first. We recommend that you start packing the items you rarely use first as you begin the packing process. For example, start by packing the items in your garage and attic that aren’t already in boxes or storage bins. You can then move onto packing infrequently used items, like artwork, movies, and books, that are not part of your everyday life. This makes it easier to quickly pack up your everyday items in the days leading up to the move.

- Leave clothing on hangers. If you want to pack your home as quickly as possible, then you should leave all of your clothing on hangers during the packing process. Packing clothing in boxes can both waste time and take up too much space. Instead, you can simply leave all of your clothing on hangers and tie your hangers together for an easy move.

- Pack an overnight bag for each person. Make sure to pack a suitcase or overnight bag for each person in your family for moving day and the night of the move. Each suitcase or overnight bag should have a simple change of clothing and toiletries, as well as medication, chargers, and a book or activity.

Wondering how to move in 1 day?

- Keep dresser clothing in drawers. There is no need to move your clothing from your dresser drawers to boxes. You can simply tape some plastic wrap and packing paper over the drawers to keep your clothing from getting dirty. You can put the drawers in the dresser on the moving truck and take the drawers out of the dresser again when you get to your new home.

- Pack bedding where you can easily grab it. Make sure to keep all of your bedding in an accessible place during your move so that you can easily grab it and make the beds on moving day. That way, everyone in your family can sleep soundly in their beds the night of the move.

Want to learn how to pack up your house fast and safely? Here are our tips for safely packing up your belongings:

- Use sheets, towels, and rags. We recommend using rags, towels, and sheets as packing supplies to pack extra fragile and delicate items. Using these household items is more environmentally friendly and will help you save money on packing materials like bubble wrap.

- Pack your TV carefully. It is important to pack your TV properly and carefully. Begin by wrapping the television screen in a soft material or towel that won’t scratch the screen. We suggest making your own custom box to transport your television if you don’t still have the original television packing materials.

- Keep knives safe in oven mitts. You should also keep yourself and your knives safe during the packing and moving process by storing knives in protective oven mitts.

- Vertically pack your plates. You can also pack plates vertically to help decrease the chance of your plates getting damaged during the moving process. Make sure to cushion your plates with plenty of bubble wrap and plastic to keep them safe. You can also mark your boxes as fragile so that your movers know to handle them with extra care.

- Bubble wrap mirrors and glass. While we recommend using blankets and sheets to pack some fragile items, glass and mirrors require more protection. You should pack each of your glass items, glass picture frames, and mirrors carefully and separately by wrapping them in packing paper or bubble wrap like a gift. You should also label the box fragile so that the movers know to handle them carefully.

Note: If you’re searching for how to pack to move from a house rather than an apartment, all of these tips still apply!

Now that you know how to pack an apartment, your move will be that much easier. And, if you find you need to store some of your belongings, contact Boombox Storage. Our full service storage solutions can provide pick-up and delivery of your items. Plus, we even offer an online inventory system so you can always find exactly what you need when you need it.