What to Pack First When Moving
Items you rarely use should be first, and essentials should be last
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Moving to a new home is a pretty big life transition. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you begin the packing process, but thinking logically through your move can help you figure out a game plan. One of the most important aspects of packing is knowing what to pack first. The simplest approach is to pack nonessential items first and save daily-use belongings until the very end.
Your move timeline and how often you use your belongings should guide what you pack first.
Jump to insightPacking rarely used items first, like seasonal gear and decor, can make your move easier.
Jump to insightChoose a packing strategy based on your space and schedule.
Jump to insightKeeping the items you use daily unpacked until the very end helps minimize disruption to your routine.
Jump to insightAssess your moving needs before packing
There are two things that will help determine what you should pack first, said Peter Burstein, owner of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage in Aberdeen, Maryland. “Your timeline and what you actually use day to day,” he said. “If it will not be touched in the next two to four weeks, it is fair game to pack first.”
The next consideration is your specific type of move. If you’re moving locally, your packing will look different than someone who is moving their belongings into storage or long distance. “A long-distance or storage move requires earlier, more structured packing because you won’t have fast access to your belongings,” said Ashlyn Kreshel, director of operations for UniMovers.
Furthermore, families with kids will have different packing considerations than single folks or couples. It might be easier for families to start packing even earlier than necessary to help minimize disruption to daily life.
If it will not be touched in the next two to four weeks, it is fair game to pack first.”
Before packing, you’ll need to do the following:
- Determine your move date.
- Confirm your move type: local or long-distance.
- Think about whether you’ll need storage: temporary or long-term.
- Decide whether you want to hire movers or do a solo move.
- Gather moving supplies, like moving boxes and blankets, tape, bubble cushioning wrap, packing paper, dollies, markers or bins.
- Declutter by throwing away, donating or selling your unused items.
If you hire professional movers, request a list of prohibited items — such as live plants or hazardous materials like paint — so you can make other arrangements. Additionally, request a copy of their liability insurance before committing to packing valuable items.
Use packing checklists and timelines
Checklists and timelines can help you decide what to pack first. Generally, you’ll want to focus on items you don’t use every day, or don’t plan on using in the very near future, when you begin packing. Burstein told us these might include:
- Seasonal items
- Home decor
- Artwork
- Books
- Off-season clothing
- Rarely used kitchenware
- Spare bedding and towels
- Hobby gear
- Anything in storage spaces, like the attic or garage
“These live far from your daily routine and are easy wins,” he said.
Although most experts recommend packing rarely used items as soon as you know you’re moving, how much time you need to fully pack your home depends on your unique situation. Here are some suggestions, according to Kreshel:
- Families typically need six to eight weeks to manage kids’ belongings, seasonal gear and busy schedules.
- Single people typically have fewer items and simpler routines, which allow for a shorter timeline of three to five weeks.
- Moving items into storage takes extra planning and preparation for long-term protection. You also have to map out what will go into storage and how much space you’ll need. Also, you’ll need sturdy boxes and bins that can be sealed and stacked for months.
- First-time movers can benefit from checklists that outline every step, often starting one to two months ahead to clean, declutter and gather supplies.
The larger the home, the more time you’ll want to leave yourself for packing. For instance, it’s wise to budget six to eight weeks to pack a three- to four-bedroom home.
» FIND OUT: Interstate moving tips
Compare packing strategies
Your packing order will depend on what packing strategy you use. Here are some common strategies to consider:
- Room-by-room
- Item type
- Priority
Which strategy is best can depend on your timeline and how much space you have. “If you have time and space, go room by room,” Burstein said. “If you are tight on both, go by priority and remove anything you do not need that month. If you are using a portable container, load heavy furniture first, then sturdy boxes, then light items, and keep ‘open first’ bins at the very end.”
Room by room
Packing room by room keeps boxes organized and makes unloading easier since everything goes straight into the right spaces. Kreshel said that this is the most expert-recommended moving strategy if you have the time to devote to it. “If you have two to three weeks, a room-by-room approach works well,” she said.
Just make sure your daily-use items stay out until the very end.
Item type
This works well for long-distance or storage moves because you can pack similar items together and make decluttering decisions as you go. It also helps you stay focused since you’re working through one category at a time. For example, you can pack all your books in one pass without worrying about whether you’ll need them before moving day.
Kreshel said that the downside is that packing by item type can become a bit confusing when unpacking. For example, you might have some books that go in your living room and some that belong in your child’s bedroom. Labeling boxes clearly with Living Room Books or Kids’ Books can help you stay organized.
Priority based
This is best for tight timelines or small spaces. You pack anything you won’t need for a while first, like holiday decorations or out-of-season clothing, and keep daily-use items out until the end.
Time budgeting by packing strategy
If you’re budgeting your packing time, the chart below shows the typical pace for each method. But keep in mind that most people use a combination of strategies. “Most people do a hybrid: pack nonessentials by category first, then finish room by room,” Burstein said.
| Strategy | Best for | Typical speed |
|---|---|---|
| Room by room | Local moves, longer timelines | 1 to 2 rooms per week |
| Item type | Long-distance moves or moving items into storage | 3 to 5 categories per week |
| Priority based | Smaller spaces, tight timelines | 1 to 2 hours a day |
» COMPARE: Moving companies side by side
Pack essentials last
There’s no way around it — packing and moving is a huge life event that can disrupt normal routines, but waiting to pack your essential items until last can minimize these disruptions. Burstein suggested the following: “Leave one ‘live’ zone in each key room: one cupboard for daily kitchen items, one drawer for toiletries, one basket for chargers and remotes. Label those ‘Do Not Pack’ so helpers do not scoop them up.”
Many of those items are things you likely wouldn’t pack until the last minute. Other items that you can hold off on packing until the very last few days include:
- Basic kitchen and cookware
- Cleaning supplies
- Coffee maker and supplies
- Daily toiletries
- Medications
- Pet supplies
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Sleep essentials for kids
- Two sets of sheets
Create a “Do Not Pack” zone
Keep one cupboard, bin, drawer or basket for daily items and label it “Do Not Pack” so nothing essential gets boxed too early.
One thing that you’ll thank yourself for later is packing an essentials box for the first night or two in your new space. “Think hotel stay meets survival kit,” Burstein said. “Pack it in a clear bin and ride with it in your car.” Here’s what you might include in your essentials box:
- A full change of clothes or two
- Basic cookware and snacks
- Bedding
- Device chargers
- Important documents like IDs and closing or rental paperwork
- Kids' comfort items or toys
- Light bulbs
- Medications
- Pajamas
- Paper plates and paper towels
- Pet food and medications
- Power strip
- School materials
- Small tool kit
- Toilet paper
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Trash bags
Families with babies or toddlers should also keep bottles, formula, diapers, wipes and comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals within arm’s reach as well.
FAQ
How should I adjust my packing order if I have children or pets?
Families with kids and pets likely have very specific routines — and items tied to those routines — so it’s important to pack around that. “Families with kids should pack toys and clothes in rotations so routines do not get blown up,” said Burstein.
When packing toys, for instance, begin with the least-used toys and slowly work your way to the most played with ones as you get closer to moving day. Leave their bedroom as intact as you can and pack it up as one of the last rooms. Pack up last season’s clothing, or if they’ve outgrown them, use this as an opportunity to donate items instead of packing them up.
Likewise, pet supplies like foods, medications, leashes, harnesses and pet carriers should also be done last.
Do I need to pack differently if I’m using professional movers?
Yes, you may need to pack differently if you’re planning on hiring professional movers for a few reasons. “Movers won’t transport perishables, certain liquids or hazardous materials, so plan to use up or safely dispose of those before moving day,” said Kreshel. “With professionals, labeling and organization become even more important so they know exactly where boxes belong.”
You’ll also want to keep important personal items with you in your car as opposed to the moving truck, like cash, jewelry, passports and medications, Burstein told us.
What are the most common mistakes people make when deciding what to pack first?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is starting their packing too late or waiting for the perfect weekend to dive in. Packing your home truly takes longer than most people realize.
Other common mistakes include:
- Forgetting to factor in storage areas, like attics and sheds
- Labeling boxes vaguely with no sense of what’s inside
- Mixing items from different rooms inside one box
- Not decluttering
- Not gathering moving supplies early enough
- Packing up essentials too early
- Putting heavy items in large boxes
- Underestimating how long the kitchen takes to pack up
How do I keep track of what’s in each box for easy unpacking?
Labeling your boxes well is just as important — maybe even more important — as deciding how to pack. “Use a combination of clear room labels, color-coding and descriptive notes (‘Kitchen – Baking Supplies’ vs. ‘Kitchen’),” said Kreshel. “Some movers create a numbered box inventory in a spreadsheet, which is especially helpful for storage moves or large households. Place labels on the side of the box so they’re visible when stacked.”
You can also utilize QR labels and an inventory app to know exactly what’s in each box, said Burstein. Or, simply take a photo of the contents. “A photo of the contents before you close the lid takes ten seconds and saves you twenty minutes later,” he said.
