Random Packing Tips
You can likely find a wealth of information online with packing tips, and of course it can be subjective, so I will share a few, possibly unusual, tips that Fresh Start Organizing uses when packing for clients.
Do Not Overuse "Fragile"
Nobody intends to drop a box or throw it around, so putting the word "Fragile" on every box that has contents that could break when dropped, reduces the effectiveness of the word on those boxes that do contain items that are more delicate and fragile in nature. Reserve labeling "Fragile" on those few boxes that require extra care when handling. When move day comes, your help is going to be working hard to keep things going for you, and if they see the word "Fragile" on every other box they pick up, the word will soon lose its effectiveness. If it is on only a few boxes, those boxes are more likely to be noticed and handled with extra care.
Use Consistent Sized Boxes
They do not have to all be the same size, but purchasing boxes in 3- 5 different sizes helps when stacking the boxes. At Fresh Start Organizing we normally use three different sizes, finding there are other, more effective ways to pack the largest and smallest of items. Many times it is tempting to gather used boxes from different places, resulting in random shapes and sizes. This can make the boxes harder to securely stack, along with other issues for packing your items safely and efficiently. It is important to remember that during the packing you will still be living in your home and need to move around safely. While you are removing items from cupboards and putting them in boxes, these boxes will need to sit somewhere on the floor. Stacking the boxes will be necessary to keep walkways clear and allow you room to move around for your normal daily activities and to do the additional packing. In addition, those boxes will need stacked in your new home until you get them all unpacked.
Do Not Make Boxes Too Heavy
Do not make the boxes heavier than you can move around. Just like the last tip, you want to consider that you will still be living in your home while you are packing and may need to move the boxes around, and likewise at your new home while you are unpacking. It is easy to start packing a box and forget to stop and check the weight of the box. The movers can surely move the heaviest of boxes, but it is during the times of packing and unpacking that you will need to be able to move them around yourself.
Take Pictures of Current Settings
Take pictures of current displays and arrangements. You may have looked at the same display or arrangement for years, but when you go to duplicate when unpacking, you may find you are not really sure exactly how it was arranged. Taking a picture of the arrangement before packing can help the unpacking go much faster when you can look at a picture and duplicate an arrangement you found enjoyable or effective at the home you left.
Find A Few Dedicated Helpers
I suggest that you avoid having multiple people help you pack for limited periods of time. Friends and family may kindly offer to help you pack, each for a limited amount of time. It is true that many hands make light work, but the problem with this when it comes to packing is that you, as the owner of all the contents in those boxes, lose track of what is where. This can cause problems when you are trying to find something important. Each person may have their own way of labeling the boxes, so it may be hard to understand their definition of the contents (or writing), and you do not know who to call to ask for help if many hands have been involved over a period of time. If possible, a few dedicated helpers that are willing to commit and dig in with you will, in the long run, help the process go smoother and you will maintain more control over what and where your items are. You will also know who to contact if you are having trouble finding something.