9 Pro-Approved Packing Hacks To Make Moving Easier

So you've just bought a house, and you're excited about settling into life in that new home. What probably isn't quite as exciting is the prospect of moving all your stuff into that new home. Moving is hard work, and the process is often chaotic. The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce the stress and frustration involved in getting the job done. Here are nine pro-approved packing hacks to make moving easier:

1. Take pre-packing pictures – Before you unplug and pack that complicated home theater system or any other electronics with lots of wires, snap a couple of pictures of just how it is all setup. This will save you the chore of figuring it all out from scratch later and the frustration that comes with it.
2. Keep cords from tangling – Cords that are packed away in boxes always seem to become a tangled mess by the time they are unpacked. To avoid this, tuck each one into an empty toilet tissue tube before boxing them up.
3. Color-code your boxes – You'll do a lot less lifting and carrying when it comes time to unpack if you color-code while packing. Get an assortment of colored tape, assign a color to each room, and mark each box you pack with the tape color that corresponds with the room to which it belongs. That makes it easy to place boxes in the right rooms as the moving truck is unloaded, saving you the time and work of rearranging them later.
4. Seal up against spills – Packing cleaning supplies, shampoos, and other liquids can be tricky and often leads to messes. Putting a little plastic wrap between the bottle opening and lid can give them a stronger, more travel-safe seal.
5. Pack some essential "first-day" items – Your first day in your new home will be a lot more comfortable if you set yourself up to have what you need without hunting through dozens of boxes to find it. Pack a box or two to travel right with you that is full of towels, shower supplies, toilet tissue, clothes, food, plates, forks, and other necessary items.
6. Don't fuss with clothes – Packing clothes can be done by leaving them right where they live. Rather than taking them from dresser drawers and boxing them up, tape the drawers shut to keep your clothes safe right where they are. Clothes on hangers can be handled as well. Just bunch hangers up, tie them together, and slip a plastic trash bag over the clothes they hold.
7. Keep hardware where it needs to be – Some things may need to be taken apart for the move, like shelving or furniture. Put hardware, such as screws, nuts, bolts, and brackets, into plastic bags and tape them to the furniture that needs them.
8. Use towels, sheets, and blankets for packing – Dishes and other fragile items need cushioning to protect them during the move. Household linens can serve the purpose and save you money on packing supplies.
9. Cut handles in boxes – Large boxes can be hard to handle, especially if you can't get a firm grip. Use a box cutter to cut triangles into the side, making handles for easier lifting.

Moving isn't fun, and it is rarely a smooth, stress-free process, but putting these tips to work for you can make it a little easier. By planning and keeping things organized for more efficient unpacking, you'll spend much less time settling in and get to the end goal more quickly — enjoying your new home.

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