What to Pack First When Moving

When packing to move, start with the rooms and items you use the least. Clear out the loft, pack out-of-season clothing, and box any items you will not need before moving day.

Cotswold Carriers have facilitated countless successful relocations, and an inside secret to a stress-free move is maintaining a sense of normality in your home for as long as possible.

By packing your least-used belongings first, you minimise disruption to your daily routine and reduce the risk of rummaging through boxes for something you need before moving day.

If you’d like to skip packing to move altogether, you can trust our reliable packing services. Our expert team can wrap and pack your entire home to the highest standard, using only premium packing materials, so you can focus on the excitement of your new chapter.

The Essentials Box For Moving House

An essentials box is, well, essential when packing to move.

After a long day of unloading your items at your new property, the last thing you want to do is hunt through twenty boxes just to make a cup of tea.

Your essentials box should include:

Bedding for your first night
Phone chargers
Basic toiletries
A small toolkit for assembling furniture
Snacks, tea bags, coffee, mugs, and, of course, the kettle!

Packing To Move Room by Room

Packing to move is much less overwhelming if you tackle it one room at a time; it also makes unpacking simpler at the other end.

The Kitchen

Use plenty of packing paper for fragile crockery, wrapping plates individually and stacking them vertically (on their edges) rather than flat to prevent breakage.

The Wardrobes

Wardrobe boxes are a worthwhile investment, letting you move clothes straight from the rail into a protective box without taking them off the hanger. We can supply you with these as part of our premium packing materials.

The Living Room

Wrap delicate electronics in bubble wrap, and fill any gaps in your boxes with packing peanuts or crushed paper so heavy items, like the TV, don’t shift during transit.

Label Everything Clearly for the Move

Organisation is key for a smooth move. As you seal each box, label the top and at least one side with a marker pen. Write down the designated room in your new house (e.g., “Master Bedroom” or “Kitchen”) and a brief bulleted list of the contents. Clearly mark any boxes containing breakables as “FRAGILE” and indicate which way up the box should be carried.

How To Pack To Move House Safely

One of the most common mistakes when packing to move is overfilling boxes.

Heavy items, such as books or tinned food, should always go into smaller boxes. Reserve large boxes for lighter, bulkier items like cushions, lampshades, and folded bedding. If a box is too heavy to lift comfortably, it is too heavy to travel safely.

That said, please don’t confuse box weight limits with our removal capabilities! Our experienced, reputable team is fully trained and equipped to handle exceptionally heavy, awkward, and specialist items.

From grand pianos and large safes to heavy antique furniture and even vehicle transportation, our packing services provide all the specialist equipment and expertise needed to move your belongings safely, no matter how big or small.

Packing Tips For Moving

With over four decades in the industry, Cotswold Carriers has honed the craft and knows that a successful, stress-free move requires an organised approach.

Here are our top packing tips for moving:

Declutter Before You Box: Moving is the perfect opportunity to clear out items you no longer need. Donating or recycling unwanted goods before you move saves you time and effort packing and moving them to your new property.
Invest in Proper Materials: Always use reliable, purpose-made double-walled moving boxes. Flimsy boxes are prone to collapsing and won’t protect your belongings adequately during transit. We offer premium packing materials, available for individual purchase or included as standard with our removals services.
Heavy Items in Small Boxes: Always pack heavy items, such as books or tinned goods, in smaller boxes. This makes them safer to lift and prevents the bottom of the box from giving way.
Secure the Base: Before filling any box, reinforce the bottom with two strips of high-quality packing tape in a cross shape for maximum durability.
Wrap Fragile Items Generously: Use packing paper and bubble wrap for delicate items. Wrap plates individually and pack them vertically on their edges, rather than stacking them flat.
Fill The Gaps: Ensure there are no empty spaces inside your boxes. Use crushed paper or packing peanuts to stop items from shifting and breaking whilst on the road.
Keep Screws And Fittings Safe: When dismantling furniture, place all screws, bolts, and small fittings into a labelled bag and tape it securely to the corresponding piece of furniture.
Avoid Overpacking: Ensure every box can be closed flat and taped securely across the top. Bulging boxes can’t be stacked safely in our removal vehicles.

If these tips on how to pack to move house feel a little overwhelming, remember that our reputable team is always here to help. Our comprehensive packing services are designed to take the stress out of your move.

Contact Cotswold Carriers today to get your move all wrapped up.