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How to make a packing plan when moving out of your apartment

By Trish MacPherson on 09/24/2015 in Apartment Living Comments (0)

Packing is one of the  most stressful parts of moving because it involves trying to stay organized while going through every single one of your possessions item by item. And for those of us with a decidedly large amount of possessions, keeping everything organized becomes even more complicated.

If you're  moving out of your apartment in the near future, there are ways to make packing easier so it doesn't overwhelm you. Here are some tips for creating a packing plan that will keep you organized:

Mark Your Calendar

As soon as you find out your application has been accepted, settle on a moving date and mark it in your calendar. This will allow you to physically see how much time you have to plan, and it will make scheduling your packing a lot easier.

Go through the calendar day-by-day until your moving date and plan  specific packing projects for each day. If either of your apartment buildings (the one you currently live in and the one you're moving to) require you to schedule moves ahead of time, make sure you set that up as soon as you can to get the date that works best for you.

Start Early

Once you have the  moving date set up, get an early start on some of the preliminary packing projects, like decluttering and researching movers (if you're using them). The earlier you start preparing to pack, the less stressed you'll be in the days ahead of your move, so work now in order to relax later.

Declutter and Donate

Before even picking up a moving box, go room by room and decide what you're going to save and  get rid of. You don't want to do this while you're packing, because doing both at the same time can be pretty overwhelming.

Sort through everything in each room and start getting rid of anything you don't use. If the item is broken, stained or otherwise unusable, simply toss it. If it's in good condition but you haven't used it in several months, put it in a donation pile. A good rule to keep in mind: If you didn't even remember you had the item until you found it, put it in the donation box - you don't need it.

Create a Packing List

No, you don't have to make a  complete packing list for all of your belongings, but it's a good idea to make a priority list of all the items you use most. That way, you can keep all of those items together and easily find them once you're at the new apartment.

Also consider making a list of everything you'll need right away at the new place, like essential bathroom supplies, bed sheets and some kitchen utensils. You can pack those items together in one box so you'll immediately have everything you need when you get there.

Stay Organized

Come up with a plan for identifying what items you're packing in each box. Many people list every item in marker on the sides of the box, but do whatever you find easiest.

Some professional movers suggest taking pictures of all of the items that are going in each box. If you take the photos on your phone, you'll be able to scroll through your gallery and quickly find whatever you're looking for there first.

Pack for the New Place

Many people  pack room by room, but that strategy may not make sense when it comes time to unpack at your new place, depending on how different the setup is there. Make a list of the rooms you'll have at your new apartment, and organize your belongings that way to make the unpacking process that much easier.

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