What should I pack first when moving?

Moving house is an exciting yet daunting task. Deciding what to pack first when moving can make the process smoother and less stressful. Whether you’re relocating across town or to a new city, starting with a clear plan sets the tone for an organised move. This guide from Ryan’s Removals offers practical, step-by-step advice to help you pack efficiently, save time, and reduce chaos.

Why Planning Your Packing Matters

A well-thought-out packing strategy prevents last-minute scrambles. By prioritising items, you ensure essentials are accessible and non-essentials are safely stored. Planning also helps you declutter, saving space and reducing moving costs. Knowing what to pack first when moving keeps you focused and makes unpacking at your new home easier.

Benefits of Packing Strategically

Packing with purpose saves time and energy. You avoid misplacing important items and reduce the risk of damage. A clear plan also helps you stay calm, as you’ll know exactly where to start. With Ryan’s Removals, we guide you to make your move efficient and stress-free.

Step 1: Declutter Before You Pack

Before you start packing, declutter your home. Sort through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Focus on areas like lofts, garages, or spare rooms. Getting rid of unused items reduces the volume you need to pack, saving time and money.

How to Declutter Effectively

Start with one room at a time. Create piles for keeping, donating, and throwing away. Be ruthless—items you haven’t used in a year are unlikely to be needed. Donate usable goods to charity or sell them online. This step makes packing more manageable and your move lighter.

Step 2: Pack Non-Essential Items First

When considering what to pack first when moving, begin with non-essential items. These are things you won’t need in the weeks leading up to your move, such as seasonal clothing, books, or decorative items. Packing these early frees up space and helps you focus on daily essentials later.

Examples of Non-Essential Items

Seasonal Items: Winter coats, Christmas decorations, or summer sports gear.
Books and DVDs: Pack your book collection or old media you won’t use soon.
Decorative Items: Wall art, vases, or photo frames can go early.
Spare Bedding: Extra linens or guest room bedding won’t be missed.

Label these boxes clearly with the room and contents to make unpacking easier. Use sturdy boxes and bubble wrap for fragile items to ensure they arrive safely.

Step 3: Organise Important Documents

Gather essential documents next. These include passports, driving licences, medical records, or moving contracts. Keep them in a secure, clearly labelled folder or box that stays with you during the move. This ensures you can access them quickly if needed.

Tips for Managing Documents

Create a dedicated “essentials” folder. Scan copies of important papers for digital backups. Avoid packing these in the moving van—carry them personally. Ryan’s Removals recommends keeping this folder with you to avoid misplacement during transit.

Step 4: Tackle the Kitchen Early

Kitchens are often the most time-consuming to pack due to fragile items and appliances. Start with rarely used items like fine china, baking equipment, or extra cutlery. Leave daily essentials like plates and mugs for the final days.

Packing Kitchen Items Safely

Wrap fragile items like glasses in bubble wrap. Use dividers for plates to prevent chips. Pack appliances in their original boxes if possible. Label boxes as “fragile” and note which side is up. This ensures your kitchen items arrive intact at your new home.

Step 5: Pack Clothing Strategically

Clothing can be overwhelming, so prioritise off-season or rarely worn items. Keep a week’s worth of clothes accessible for daily use. Use vacuum-sealed bags for bulky items like coats to save space.

How to Pack Clothes Efficiently

Pack hanging clothes in wardrobe boxes to keep them wrinkle-free. Fold other items neatly in suitcases or boxes. Donate clothes you no longer wear to reduce volume. Label boxes by season or family member for easy unpacking.

Step 6: Create an Essentials Box

An essentials box is a lifesaver during a move. Pack items you’ll need immediately, like toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, and basic kitchen supplies. This box stays with you, ensuring you’re comfortable on your first night.

What to Include in Your Essentials Box

Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.
Clothing: A few outfits and pyjamas.
Electronics: Chargers, laptops, or tablets.
Kitchen Basics: Kettle, mugs, snacks, and cutlery.
Bedding: A set of sheets and pillows for the first night.

Keep this box easily accessible, ideally in your car or a clearly marked spot.

Step 7: Pack Room by Room

To stay organised, pack one room at a time. This prevents mixing items and makes unpacking straightforward. Start with rooms you use less, like guest bedrooms or storage areas, before moving to high-traffic spaces like the living room.

Room-by-Room Packing Tips

Bedrooms: Pack non-essential bedding and decor first. Leave daily items for last.
Bathrooms: Pack spare towels and toiletries early, keeping daily essentials out.
Living Areas: Box up books, games, and decorations, leaving furniture for last.
Storage Areas: Clear out lofts or garages early, as they often hold non-essentials.

Label each box with the room name and a brief description of contents.

Top Tips for Packing When Moving

Start Early: Begin packing 4–6 weeks before your move to avoid stress.
Use Quality Supplies: Invest in sturdy boxes, tape, and bubble wrap.
Label Everything: Clearly mark boxes with room names and contents.
Pack Light: Keep boxes under 20kg for easy handling.
Hire Professionals: Ryan’s Removals offers expert packing services to save you time.

Why Choose Ryan’s Removals?

Ryan’s Removals is your trusted partner for a stress-free move. With years of experience, we provide tailored packing and moving services across the UK. Our team handles your belongings with care, ensuring everything arrives safely. We offer flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and expert advice to make your move seamless. Choose us for a reliable, professional service that puts your needs first.

FAQs About What to Pack First When Moving

1. What are the first things to pack when moving house?

Start with non-essentials like seasonal clothes, books, and decor. Declutter first to reduce items. Pack important documents in a secure folder and keep them with you. This ensures essentials are accessible while streamlining the process.

2. How early should I start packing for a move?

Begin 4–6 weeks in advance. Start with storage areas and non-essential items. Packing early reduces stress and allows time to declutter. Use a checklist to stay organised and ensure nothing is forgotten.

3. Should I pack my kitchen first when moving?

Pack rarely used kitchen items first, like fine china or extra appliances. Leave daily essentials like plates and mugs for last. Use bubble wrap for fragile items and label boxes clearly to ensure safe transport.

4. What should go in my essentials box?

Include toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, basic kitchen items, and bedding. Keep this box with you during the move for easy access. It ensures comfort on your first night in your new home.

5. How can Ryan’s Removals help with packing?

Ryan’s Removals offers professional packing services to save time and ensure safety. Our team uses quality materials and handles items with care. We tailor our services to your needs for a smooth move.

Conclusion: Pack Smart for a Stress-Free Move

Knowing what to pack first when moving transforms a chaotic process into a manageable one. Start with decluttering, then pack non-essentials like seasonal items and decor. Secure important documents and create an essentials box for immediate needs. With Ryan’s Removals, you get expert support to make your move effortless. Ready to start? Contact Ryan’s Removals today for professional packing and moving services tailored to you!

Get the best services from Ryan’s Removals

Domestic Removal

Commercial Removal

Call To Action

📧 Email Us: info@manwithavansomerset.co.uk

📞 Call Us: 07834274881

Suzie Wakefield

2023-07-24

The communication leading up to the move was amazing, the understanding of difficulties setting dates with a chain was appreciated. The team turned up early and had the job done well before we expected. Protection put on all of our big pieces and vans where packed very well to protect all items. These guys made the move day very enjoyable and stress free. We highly recommend them. Very professional and polite. Thank you so much Tim and your team.

Amanda Moss

2023-07-20

I've used Ryan's Removals three times in the last month whilst moving house. They were efficient, professional, whilst also friendly and made a really stressful event a lot easier. I really felt they had my best interest at the heart of things. They even stepped in and took up the mantle, where John Lewis let me down; moving and installing my new washer-dryer. I genuinely wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and when I move again I'll be going back to them.

Andrew Ware

2023-07-07

Tim and his team moved us from Bristol on Wednesday, they took all the stress out of the day and were highly professional with all the correct protective garments for the breakable items. Very fair price and would recommend to anyone.

Jacqueline Zurek

2023-06-22

Amazing service!! I contacted Ryan a year before our actual moving date due to delays and a house falling through. From start to finish he was polite, patient, informative and so reliable. He made me feel at ease all through the process which helped so much as over the year period I had so much stress with the move. He arrived on time, emptied the house in record time, left the house in perfect condition, arrived over 300 miles later still in an upbeat and positive mood. Unloaded 2 vans again in record time into a 3 story house, remaining positive his team assembled all beds, wardrobes, plugged in washer and dryer and left the new property again in perfect condition. I highly recommend Ryan and his team, genuine, hardworking, professional, polite and well deserving of every penny we paid. Thank you again Ryan and team, I hope you know just how rare of a service you delivered to me.

Reffinej Terrab

2023-05-24

Tim provides an excellent service, from a quick quote to the actual move. Tim has a ‘can do’ and helpful attitude which is very refreshing and welcome in a world where often people look for problems and ‘extras’. It is not the first time we have asked for Tim’s help and I’m sure we will ask him again in the future. Thank you also to his crew.

Chris Bacon

2023-05-15

Tim and his team took all the stress out of moving. All of the things that I thought would cause stress were a breeze. He even did an extra trip so we didn’t have to dismantle my children’s Wendy house. Thanks again Tim, would highly recommend. Chris 10/10

Helen Green

2023-04-22

I can not speak highly enough of Ryan's Removals. They were recommended to me by a friend because she was so pleased with them, and I had exactly the same experience. They made the house move as stress free as they possible could. They are totally professional.

Kellie Tomkins

2023-03-02

This is the first time we have used a company to move us, and we could not have asked for more. The team knew exactly what they were doing and were highly professional throughout the whole process. I would highly recommend Ryan Removals and can't thank you enough for making our move a much more relaxed experience.. 😊 James & Kellie

What should I pack first when moving?