How to Choose the Right Packing Materials for Your Move

Piled up cardboard boxes

So you’ve decided to move? Welcome aboard the catastrophe ship! That was a bit too much, we agree. Although moving is stressful, especially moving abroad, you can prepare yourself for the ordeal and save some time and nerves. Being well-organized is the key to success here. One of the most important tasks during your moving preparations is, of course, packing. Are you wondering how to pack all the items you’re planning to transport to your new home? Also, you might be asking yourself how to choose the right packing materials? Say no more. We’re here to help you find an answer to both questions. In the article below, you’ll find helpful tips and tricks on how to pack and with what. Stay tuned.

A quick organizational tip #1: categorize your belongings

Okay, we’ll try to be very quick here. To make sure you have a clear picture of which items are going into the moving truck, you should create an inventory. Get some pen and paper and write everything down. Categorize your stuff! Mark them as breakable or sturdy, more or less important, and so on. You get the point. That way, you’ll know what type of packing materials you need. For example, if you are moving art pieces, you will have to protect them additionally and handle them with utmost care.

What's in the box?

Cinema buffs will instantly recognize from where we stole the title of this paragraph. Anyway, the first image that pops up in your head when someone mentions packing is probably a cardboard box. You’ll probably need a lot of those before you start to pack. How to obtain them? Well, you can easily find them for free at your local shopkeeper’s. Be kind enough to ask them, and they’ll probably give you some boxes if they haven’t already given them to someone else. Also, you can order them off the internet for a low price. Make sure you consult your moving inventory. You’ll need boxes of different sizes and textures. As we’ve said, it all depends on the items on your list.

Bonus: How to pack smaller items inside a box?

Cut up some other boxes, and use the parts to create separators to protect small items from bumping into each other during the transport. Of course, firstly, you’ll need to cover them well in bubble wrap. After you’ve done that, tape it all tightly. We’ll talk about that more below.

Cardboard boxes are your best friends when it comes to moving. They're cheap (you can probably find them for free) and easy to use.

A quick organizational tip #2: What to unpack first?

Which room is your priority when the time for unpacking comes? If you’re moving with kids, it’s safe to assume you’d say it’s the kids’ room. That’s only natural. When you’re loading the truck, you must pay attention to what goes last. In other words: you’ll need to do it in the correct order. The boxes you’ll unpack as soon as you arrive at your new address go last into the truck. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Except for boxes, what else do I need?

Here we’ll mention other packing material which is equally essential as boxes, if not more. You’re going to need:

  • (Lots of) Packing tape – pay close attention to how you seal the bottom of the box. You don’t want your computer screen broken into pieces while you’re carrying it to the truck.
  • Bubble wrap – how can we imagine packing without it? As the case was with packing tape, you’ll need a lot of bubble wrap. You’ll need a lot of everything, so there’s no need to mention it again.
  • Markers – you’ll need some to tag the boxes.
  • “Fragile” tape – so you don’t waste time writing FRAGILE every single time. For those who are wondering, the tape itself is not fragile.
  • Linen paper or cloth – read the bonus part.

Bonus: How to pack a plasma TV?

Packing for the move is tiresome and not particularly fun. Packing electronics for the move is a whole other level. Who could’ve thought electronics need extra protection? Well, just about everyone. Anyway, you’ll have to pay attention when packing electronics. For example, when you pack a plasma TV, first, you’ll have to wrap it into linen paper or cloth. That way, you’ll protect the screen. If you still have the original packaging – use it. Fill the empty space with lots of bubble wrap or with styrofoam that came with the TV. You can also use packing peanuts for this.

Of course, electronics deserve our utmost attention when we're packing for the move. Handle your plasma TVs with extra care.

A quick organizational tip #3: Pack the items closely together

You’ll need to do that so your belongings won’t have any space to move. That’s how you’ll minimize the risk of something breaking along the way. Okay, this one was very quick indeed.

Hire professionals just so you don't have to think?

This might be an option also. Some moving companies provide packing services. If you have some extra funds you’re ready to spend on hiring pros to pack your stuff, feel free to do it. Some folks prefer the DIY way (even if they have the money), and that’s totally fine. Although, the thing is: if you pay for packing services, insurance will cover any potential damage made to your belongings during the move.

A quick organizational tip #4: Downsize?

This one will be the shortest. Moving preparations might mark the perfect moment to downsize. Think about that. Also, fewer items to transport mean lower relocation costs. It will particularly come in handy if you are moving internationally, say, if you are moving to America from France. It’s a long trip and the transportation costs will likely be high.

How to choose the right packing materials: A sort of a conclusion

That was that. These were some tips on how to choose the right packing materials for your move (and a bit more). Hopefully, none of your stuff will get damaged during transport if you follow everything we’ve mentioned here. You’ll be all set for the road! Whether you hire pros or you pack yourself, there’s no going wrong (if you do everything just like we said, that is). Packing is an integral part of the moving preps, and it deserves your utmost care and attention. You know what to do.