How to move: A guide to packing, planning and settling in

When moving, buyers and sellers have to balance packing up their lives while still functioning in their space and finding a new home.

“Moving is one of the top three most stressful things that we do,” said Christen Fackler, a Pennsylvania professional organizer and content creator with more than 200,000 followers on her TikTok, @iorganize.

One of the most common mistakes people moving make is not carefully thinking out the process. Let Homes.com show you some best practices, whether you are moving yourself or using a professional mover.

If you're hiring a company, it's important to compare prices and select one well ahead of time. "If you're going to be using a moving company, get your quotes and get them scheduled because a lot of the time, they're booked months out in advance," said Stephanie Booth, an Atlanta, Georgia-based real estate agent, organizer and content creator with nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok.

But if you are moving across town and you are able-bodied and have some people who can help, then try moving yourself to save money. Once you determine if you are having professional help or taking the "do it yourself" route, then the next step is to start purging your closets.

“Getting rid of as much as you can ahead of time is ideal,” Fackler said.

Common mistake: Not decluttering enough is a common mistake that leaves homeowners to deal with bringing extra stuff they do not need into their new home.

Decluttering and organization expert Dana K. White suggests movers buy a box package curated to the size of the home they are moving into. For downsizers, this can help you visualize what you will be able to fit in your future space. Regardless, decluttering is an important step if you are staging a home to be listed.

Even with all the planning, mistakes can happen and a carefully made plan may change. An important step to consider is how you will organize your belongings. Some moving companies will handle the organization and labeling when packing for free or for an extra fee depending on the company. If you are packing yourself, then consider devising a system of labeling or taking an inventory. There are even apps that help with this process.

"You should mark boxes with the room name and a short description," said Ross Sapir, CEO of Roadway Moving a national company headquartered in New York City. suggesting labels such as "Kitchen – Pots." Make sure to write "Fragile" on all sides of boxes with delicate boxes, he added. "We also offer digital inventory options for even clearer tracking on our long-distance moves," he said.

Make sure to label boxes clearly and on multiple sides.

Pro tip: "A simple yet effective strategy for keeping your move organized is color-coding boxes with labels," said Najah Ayoub, CMO of Piece of Cake Moving and Storage, a New York City company that serves several cities across the country. Assign each room or area a specific color, and label boxes accordingly with large stickers or colored tape," said Ayoub. "This makes it incredibly easy for both you and your movers to know exactly where everything belongs once it arrives at your new home. It helps streamline the unloading process and makes everything flow more efficiently."

Start packing as early as possible. Time is an asset during the homebuying and -selling process. The earlier you start packing, the better, Booth said.

Common mistake: "Most people wait to the last minute and then they're stressed out," she said.

Start with packing items you don't need every day.

"Pack unused kitchen appliances and holiday items early — they’re bulky and not needed daily," Booth said.

Toys or extra clothes the children are still growing into can be packed up first as well. As you pack, it's a part of the decluttering process, which is important if you are listing your home.

Pro tip: If you have a spare room, basement or garage space, you can use it as a place to lay out all your boxes, Fackler said. Keeping the moving mess contained to one area can help you mentally feel at home while you enter a transitional phase.

“If you can create some specific areas to stage all of these categories, you can keep your bedroom peaceful and your bathroom nice until it gets down to the wire,” Fackler said.

Photos, art and personal items can get packed away first. Spare rooms and any space that is not being used, like an outdoor porch in winter, are great first areas to tackle. Breaking the packing into tangible tasks can help you feel accomplished and stay organized.

“Starting ahead by grouping categories … collecting all the utility items that are similar, and deciding to pack them together and then knowing where they're going to be on the other end,” Fackler said.

Gather scissors, a box cutter, packing tape, painter’s tape and other packing essentials for your packing kit.

Pro tip: "Having good packing tools ... makes the job so much easier,” said Fackler. “Having them together, having a tool kit, a basket, a bucket where it's all together.”

If you are hiring movers, depending on the level of service you choose, will handle packing for you, but for DIYers, having all the supplies at your fingertips will be best.

"The right supplies can make a huge difference to the efficiency of packing, as well as your items staying safe during the move," Ayoub said.

Packing supplies:

• Boxes — You will want a few different types of boxes, including some heavy duty boxes. You can purchase boxes or get them for free off an online marketplace or at a store that gives them away.
• Bubble packing material — This comes in small bubbles, for small fragile items, and big bubbles, which are best for protecting large pieces that are delicate.
• Plastic wrap — This is used to protect furniture. This can keep drawers shut, prevent items from getting wet and protect surfaces.
• Foam rolls and blankets — Adding a protective layer over furniture can help prevent items from being chipped, scratched or damaged.
• Packing peanuts or filling — For some delicate items, you will need to fill in the space around them to protect them.
• Vacuum seal — Vacuum seal bags are great for packing soft items because they compresses things, making it easier to pack them away.
• Pro tip: You can use towels, sheets and even clothes as packing supplies and fillers.

Common mistake: Not packing carefully can lead to items being broken. Investing in good packing supplies and being careful can save your belongings from damage.

All the planning and prep work should make the process of packing smoother.

"Packing isn’t just about throwing things in a box," Ayoub said. "There’s a strategy to it for an easier move. Use quality packing materials, and start with packing heavier items like books at the bottom and lighter weight items like pillows on top."

Boxes should not be more than 50 pounds, but aim for about 40 pounds at their max. If you are worried about lifting boxes, then stick to the 20- to 30-pound range. Use small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for lighter items.

Common mistake: "Avoid overstuffing boxes — it can cause the bottom to fall out," Booth said.

The method of packing a box will change based on what you are putting in it. Items that can break should be wrapped in a protective layer.

Pro tip: “If you don't fill a box completely, then it can smush, so sometimes you just need a little bit of something else to throw in there,” Fackler said.

Boxes are the best mode for packing because of their ability to be carried and stacked. You can buy box kits from moving companies, home stores and storage companies. Y

"Boxes aren't created equal," Booth said. "Heavy duty boxes I highly recommend for a good portion of your kitchen items because they can withstand heavier items. They aren't crushed as easily."

Be gentle on your body. Packing and moving can cause injuries if you are not careful.

Pro tip: “I like to bring a table, like a waist-high table, around with me and set the box down on that table,” Fackler said.

Don't race to tape up boxes, but keep them open so you can add last-minute items in the correct category. Avoid having a box of miscellaneous items.

For delicate items, small bubble packing material will protect fine and fragile materials. Wrap with big bubbles is also very protective but is less flexible. This is good for filling space around lamp shades or other large items. Packing peanuts, foam rolls, clothes and paper can also provide protection. You can use things you already own like dish towels or rags.

When packing art, don't lay pieces down in a box because they could be crushed in the moving process.

"Sandwich glass artwork back-to-back, cover with cardboard and wrap with foam or paper," Booth said.

For unique shaped art or novelty items, special boxes, like frame boxes or long boxes for lamps, can be used to safely pack them away.

Common mistake: Not wrapping glasses and dishes can lead to items being broken or chipped.

Packing the kitchen is a big task. For small appliances like a toaster or air fryer, put them in their original box if you kept it. If not, wrap them in Bubblewrap.

"You should pack pots and pans by stacking them with packing paper between each piece and filling empty spaces with towels or paper," Sapir said.

As heavy items pots and appliances need to be in sturdy boxes, be careful to not overpack them.

Wrap glassware in protective layering and store them upright. Using the box with the cardboard partition that wine glasses come in is also a good way to pack glasses.

Clothing, bedding and other soft items are light but often abundant. There are several options for packing clothes, including wardrobe boxes where items can be hung.

Pro tip: To keep fabric clean and compact, Booth suggests getting a vacuum seal bag kit, which costs about $20 to $30.

"I think the vacuum seal bags honestly work the best because you're sucking out the air," Booth said.

Even with vacuum sealed bags, boxes are easiest for storing clothes and moving. Spare clothes can also be helpful as a protective layer around delicate items.

Wrap furniture to prevent damage. This can be done with plastic, foam, cardboard and fabric.

"You can also prep furniture by disassembling what you can, wrapping it in moving blankets or stretch wrap and protecting corners with cardboard," Sapir said.

Pro tip: Keep a toolbox handy with screwdrivers, drills and bags to keep nails of any parts of furniture, Fackler said.

Common mistake: Furniture can be scuffed and damaged is not properly protected.

Mattresses made of only foam can be vacuum sealed down and transported easily, Booth said.

"You literally suck the air out of them," Booth said. "They become little pancakes that you can roll into a burrito."

Spring loaded mattresses can't be squished down, but they still need to be protected. There are plastic bags, reusable bags or plastic wrap that can cover and protect the mattress.

Pro tip: "Hack that I used to use for a really long time and it works for the spring-loaded mattresses is two fitted sheets," Booth said. "One goes over the front side of the mattress, one goes over the back side ... If anything gets dirty or slightly torn, it's going to be that sheet first."

When moving mattresses, store them standing up.

Moving day will be stressful and possibly chaotic, so prepare for that by setting aside the things you will need for the first night.

"Pack like you're going on vacation, even if it's like a suitcase," Booth said. "You want to pack like you're maybe going to an Airbnb that doesn't have all the supplies."

You will need clothes, toiletries, bedding and other first-night essentials. Also set aside cleaning supplies for first-day messes.

Common mistake: If you don't set aside the essentials, you will have dig through your boxes to find what you need on moving day.

"You should pack a clearly labeled essentials bag with toiletries, chargers, a few outfits and basic kitchen items," Sapir said. "Keep it with you or have it loaded last so it comes off the truck first."

While you definitely will want supplies for the first night, you can pack for an entire week to give yourself some extra wiggle room.

“Don’t forget your pets — things for your pets,” Fackler said.

Pro tip: Keep all your important documents needed for moving in a set place. "Create a mobile desk when you no longer have your desk," Fackler said. "That can be a bag of folders and some Ziploc bags, a file box or even just a cardboard box."

Once you have the layout of your new place, start planning where everything will go. If you are downsizing, it's important to measure each piece of furniture and consider whether it will fit in the new home.

Pro tip: "Measure your new place with the furniture that you plan on taking ... Is it going to fit through the doors?" Booth said. "Their current house might have double doors, but their new house has a single door, stairs and a stairway."

Common mistake: If on moving day, an important piece like the bed frame or couch won't fit through the door, you could be scrambling to get rid of the item and find a replacement.

If items are too big, then look at selling them on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or another furniture marketplace. Some thrift stores will take furniture donations as well.

If you get the keys to your new place and it's not too far, then go over and map out the empty space. You can tape out where things will go with painter’s tape to help plan for moving day.

Go over your moving plan with your movers or helpers and discuss what needs to be set up first and what can wait.

Moving day will likely be stressful, no matter how much you prepare. Moving day is exciting, but there is a lot that can go wrong that is out of your control. It may rain all day. It might be horribly hot or freezing cold.

The earlier the day starts, the better. Delays are natural and often out of your hands.

Be sure to take care of yourself and other people helping. Have water, food and rest breaks.

Common mistake: If you don't plan where boxes should go, it could create a mess and more work for you later on.

When unloading, the lightest boxes are likely at the top because they were loaded last, so set aside a space that can hold all the boxes in the home. You can line them up in a garage or a secondary room in the house.

Pro tip: “Sort into two categories: boxes to unpack sooner and boxes we're not going to need to unpack [first],” Fackler said.

Once the furniture is in place, you can more easily move boxes to their room and unpack, but you don't want to block where the couch and coffee table need to go.

For unpacking, each person will likely have a different approach.

“Some people don't want to see a box at all. Some people say, keep all the boxes in the garage or basement and we bring them in one by one,” Fackler said.

Do what feels right to you. Unpacking your core rooms — kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and living room — should be your first priority.

“Focusing on unpacking your bedroom, your bathroom and I would say your kitchen — so that you can eat and rest and clean yourself,” Fackler said.

The bags you packed in your moving kit will also help you function while the unpacking process begins.

Mentally, unpacking can feel like a burden, so if you are overwhelmed, try breaking it down into small chunks that can be accomplished bit by bit. Set goals for yourself, but be forgiving if things don't go as planned.