How to Save Space When Packing for a Move

When packing for a move, you’ll want to use several time-saving techniques to go through the packing process as quickly as possible and meet the deadline. Another thing you will have to think about is space, and how to pack to maximize space when moving house. You want to pack smart because fewer boxes mean less cost, especially if you’re hiring moving services. Even if you decide to DIY and rent a moving van in New York, you can save by renting a smaller size truck if you have fewer moving boxes NYC. To help you pack efficiently, we prepared a few tips on how to save space when packing for a move.

Declutter

The first to do before you start packing is to declutter your home. Go through all the areas of the house and remember to check the ones that are not used so much, such as the basement and the attic. It’ll be easier for you to say goodbye to those items that are not important and hold no sentimental value. Make a strategy and move room by room, and stay diligent through this process because it will pay off when you have fewer boxes to pack and less to pay for moving services.

When you’re decluttering, place each item in one of the three categories: pack, sell, or throw away. Don’t take things that you’re not using to your new home because you don’t need extra clutter when trying to save space. You can use online platforms or make a traditional pre-move garage sale to get rid of unnecessary belongings. Selling your unwanted things is a great way to make some extra cash before moving and have fewer things to pack. You can give away or donate to charity any items that you don’t sell.

Keep drawers full

The next way you can save space when packing is to fill drawers with lightweight items, such as clothes or linen. Instead of emptying furniture drawers, use them to pack smaller items as well. When packing drawers for moving and using them as moving containers, you can save a lot of space and you’ll end up having fewer moving boxes. Make sure to use a stretch wrap to seal them and to keep things inside, otherwise, things can shift and fall out in transit. Keep in mind that you should only use drawers to pack lightweight items, as you don’t want to make them too heavy and unsafe for moving.

Pack light

The general rule for packing is placing heavier items on the bottom and then adding lighter things on top. Packing in this way should not only save space, but also balance the weight and keep boxes from getting broken. For example, when you’re packing kitchen plates, don’t fill up the entire box. Rather wrap each plate individually, place it horizontally, and stack only several plates to avoid making the box too heavy. Use the rest of the space in the box to pack other items that are lightweight − that will save space and make the moving box safe for transit.

Use everything as a vessel

When you’re trying to save space when packing, everything should become a vessel. Don’t move your suitcases empty; rather use them instead of using extra moving boxes. The good news is that suitcases are sturdy, so you can pack them up with heavy items like books. Sort your books by size to make sure the suitcase is full, and fill any left spaces with extra items. You can use this space to add some soft goods like a few pieces of clothes. Once you have used all of the suitcases, move on to other items, including duffle bags, and use bigger items as a vessel for smaller items.

This packing technique is called the nesting packing technique, and it can help you save a lot of space when packing. For instance, use the containers from the bathroom to pack toiletries in them, place smaller kitchen items into kitchen bowls and pots, place children’s shoes inside your shoes, etc. Use this strategy throughout the entire household and use any hollow space for placing an item inside.

Replace packing materials with your clothes

When you’re placing things in the moving box, it’s always a good idea to add padding to keep it from breaking during transit. Instead of using bubble wrap, go ahead and use your clothing items, linens, towels, blankets, or any soft goods to make fillers for boxes. Since you already have to move all of those items, you’ll simply save some space by using them efficiently and making cushioning for other belongings. For example, if you’re packing glasses, use clean socks to wrap and protect them. The idea is to use as much clothing as you can for this and save space by having fewer boxes to move.

Don’t fold – roll up

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them can save a great amount of space. Most of your clothes can be rolled, and smaller rolls should be nested into larger ones. If you have some high-end clothing pieces, try and use specialty boxes for extra protection, but do stay with the roll-up technique for all the regular clothes. You can also use rubber bands to keep rolls together.

Use vacuum bags

Vacuum seal bags can be a perfect solution when you want to save space when packing. They come extremely handy when you’re packing clothes or any other soft items that take too much space, such as blankets, duvets, pillows, winter jackets, etc. When the air is sucked out of the vacuum bag, it shrinks down and helps you save a lot of space and have fewer moving boxes.

If you’re looking for a professional moving company to take care of your move, contact Dumbo Moving and Storage.