What to Pack First When Moving

There is no person stronger than one who can pack their whole life and move to a new city, tackle the language barrier, settle into a new neighborhood, make new friends, learn new routes, and build a home far away from home.

Moving is not merely just packing a bag and visiting a new city for a while; it is about leaving everything that you built from the ground up, and it can be overwhelming.

But being stuck in one place and being afraid to take the next step is even worse, so don’t let the overwhelm get the best out of you, and take a deep breath.

At The Mobile Storage Guy, we know the hassles of making moving packing list, only to make three versions of it the next day, and how bittersweet that feeling is, but you've got to start somewhere, and as Martin Luther King said, and I quote,

"You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step."

Knowing the first step will help you to streamline all your packing and moving chores and make moving easy for you.

This article will give you an easy-to-navigate packing checklist for moving and help you with the resounding question: what should I pack first when moving?

Start with What You Don’t Use Often

Instead of just opening the closet and putting everything in the big suitcase, try to start with places that you don’t come in contact with in daily life.

Such as your basement, attic, storeroom, and garage. Start with packing stuff that you don't actively use, such as holiday decorations, unused furniture, gardening tools, sports gear, old clothes, and decorative pieces.

Since you don’t need this stuff actively, it is always a better idea to put it away. If you want to take your packing to the next level and make it far easier, then we suggest our mobile storage unit: as soon as you are done with packing something, put it in the storage unit.

Move On to Out-of-Season Clothing

Since you got all the extra stuff out in the storage unit, it is now time to pack your clothes. Not the one that you use daily, but the one that is not in season right now.

If you have lovely summers, pack up the bulky coats and sweaters, and if you have beautiful winters, pack away the pretty summer clothes.

Sometimes clothing takes up a lot of space; it is always better to vacuum-seal the bags to not only reduce the volume but also to save the space.

Pack Up Fragile and Decorative Items

A few weeks before the final move, when everything is progressing but not building up, it is the best time to pack the fragile items.

By carefully wrapping and packing your fragile items, you will end up putting more stuff out of the house and more in the storage unit.

Tackle Guest Rooms and Unused Spaces

Three weeks before moving day is a perfect time to pack any guest rooms or other rarely used spaces. Guest bedrooms, offices, or hobby rooms are generally easy to pack without it bothering the people who live there.

If you can, take the furniture apart and wrap it tight. Empty dresser drawers will work as a place to put smaller items; just wrap the drawer with stretch film so things stay put.

You can also roll up rugs, tape them shut with plastic wrap, and put them with your packed boxes. These rooms are often quite easy to pack, and they give you a big win early in your packing process.

Linens, Toys, and Personal Items

Two weeks out, it’s time to pack extra linens, towels, and bedding. Keep one set of sheets for each bed you’re still using and pack the rest away.

Bulky bedding items can be rolled tightly to save space. Extra linens can also serve as padding for fragile boxes if you want to make the most of your materials.

If you have children, start sorting through their toys about a week or two before the move. Decide which ones will be kept out until moving day and which can be packed.

It might be easier to do this when the kids aren’t home, so there’s less chance of arguments over which toys “can’t possibly be packed yet.” Larger toys that can be disassembled should be taken apart to avoid damage.

Around the same time, begin boxing up shoes, accessories, and jewelry. Keep only what you’ll need in the final week, and store the rest securely.

It’s a good idea to take photos of valuable items like jewelry or collectibles and upload them to cloud storage for safekeeping. This serves as both a record and a precaution.

Save the Kitchen for Last

Most moving experts agree that the kitchen should be one of the final rooms you pack. Because it’s used daily, it’s nearly impossible to box everything up too early.

However, you can still start by packing the items you use less often, such as the fancy dinnerware, small appliances, or specialty cookware. As moving day approaches, gradually pack away more until only the essentials remain.

The kitchen is notoriously tricky because of its fragile contents and variety of items. Take time to sort through your pantry, and consider donating unopened non-perishables to a local food bank rather than hauling them with you.

When packing dishes and glassware, wrap each item individually and use sturdy boxes with dividers if possible.

Label everything clearly, and keep your most-used items in a single “essentials box” so you can easily set up your new kitchen without digging through piles of boxes.

Don’t Forget Your First Night Essentials

Amid all the chaos of packing, don’t overlook your first night in your new home. The last thing you want is to arrive exhausted and realize you have no idea where your pajamas, toothbrush, or bedsheets are. A dedicated “first night box” can save you from that stress.

This box should include basic toiletries, clean clothes, medications, important documents, and a few easy meal options.

Add a couple of towels, some cleaning supplies, and anything else you’ll need immediately, even a coffee maker if that’s a morning essential.

Keep this box with you in your car rather than loading it into the moving truck. If that’s not possible, make sure it’s the last thing packed and the first thing unloaded so it’s easy to access.

Final Thoughts

Packing for a move doesn’t have to be a nightmare. The key is to start early and pack in a logical order, beginning with what you use least and ending with the essentials.

In this article, you got an easy-to-follow packing list for moving and tips to help you and make your move easy. 

By spreading the process over several weeks, you can avoid the chaos of last-minute packing and keep your stress levels low.

A thoughtful plan not only saves time but also ensures your belongings arrive safely and in order. With every box sealed, you’re one step closer to making your new house feel like home.

And if you need to make the procedure more streamlined and less of a hassle, The Mobile Storage Guy is always here to help you with that.