Packing tips for moving house

Moving house is an exciting time! It’s one of those life events that is almost always complex, with lots of moving parts (pardon the pun) but will eventually lead to a positive and happy outcome.

Whether you’re moving out for the first time, downsizing or upgrading to a new home to accommodate a growing family, packing your entire life into boxes isn’t an easy feat. That’s where Roomia comes in!

Roomia makes moving house so much easier. Our self storage facilities offer personal self storage, business storage, vehicle storage and furniture storage options to help make your move as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

How to move house efficiently

Here are some of our top tips on what to do when moving house for a quick and easy transition:

1. Pack as far ahead as possible

When moving house, planning ahead can save a lot of headaches. Don’t make the mistake of leaving everything to the last minute, or worse, attempting to move everything in one day.

As soon as you know about a move or have received a move-in date for your new home, begin the packing-up process. Start packing non-essential items as soon as possible, and leave essential items until last. Declutter and get rid of items you won’t need.  Donate or sell items that are still in good condition, and recycle or toss the rest. Go room by room and start grouping items together to be put into moving boxes.

2. Book a self-storage unit in advance

Just like life, moving doesn’t always go to plan. You might find yourself having to book temporary accommodation in between houses or realise that you have nowhere to put your belongings for safe keeping. This is where a storage facility like Roomia can help. You can book a storage unit up to a month in advance so that you can temporarily re-house your belongings in a dry, secure storage unit for as long as you need or until it’s time to move into your new house.

Roomia also offers prepayment discounts when you secure your storage unit.
For 6 months upfront – receive an additional 5% discount or for 12 months upfront – receive an additional 10% discount. Roomia also offers free access to a move-in van–we encourage you to book ahead for this popular service.

3. Pack and protect your items

Once you have grouped all the items that you’re moving with you, it’s time to source packing supplies. You will need different sized boxes, packing tape, labels, markers and bubble wrap. Packing your belongings into boxes will keep them safe from damage. Use only professional quality moving and packing supplies to ensure your boxes stay in good shape and your goods are protected. You’ll find everything you need at our Box Shop.

4. Label your boxes

When moving to a new home, taking the time to label your boxes properly can have numerous benefits. By making it easier to identify the contents of each box and where it should go, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort when it comes to unpacking and organising your new space. Just imagine how much smoother the process will be when you can quickly locate the items you need, without having to sift through multiple boxes. Additionally, labeling fragile items ensures that they are handled with care, reducing the risk of damage during transportation.  We suggest labelling;

• What items are inside the box
• What room the items belong to
• If there’s anything fragile inside
• How soon you will need it unpacked

Along with labelling, you should also match your boxes to a handwritten or typed inventory. This is particularly helpful when using a self storage facility as it will ensure that you can take quick action if you notice that something’s missing.

5. Keep essential items in suitcases

Some things you can’t just put into storage because you’ll be needing them in between houses. These include essential items such as a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, children’s toys, personal documents, phones and chargers, etc. The best way to pack and store these items is in suitcases that you’ll keep with you when in the car, taxi and temporary accommodation. Much like when you’re going on holidays.

6. Enlist help

Recruiting the help of family and friends or professional removalists will make the entire packing and moving process so much easier and faster. Single out one day of the week where you can get all hands on deck. Show your appreciation to everyone who helped lend a hand by ordering in some takeaway and bubbly!

7. Take care when packing tools and heavy items

So you know that you have to pack and move your household items like furniture and utensils, but what about your tools and gardening equipment such as your lawnmower or outdoor barbecue? These items can be moved into self storage. Some storage facilities like Roomia provide units that can house big, bulky items including heavy goods and machinery – provided that all fuel/gas/petrol is drained, first. If you’re in doubt about whether an item can be stored, please ask our on-site manager or contact our team.

8. How to pack your TV for moving

Some might wonder how to pack a TV for moving without a box since most modern TVs are very large and fragile. As far as possible, pack electronics in their original packaging. If you no longer have the original box for your TV then use professional-grade moving boxes. The best way to pack your TV when moving, especially if it’s a Plasma TV, is to pack it in wooden pallets/crates for shipping. This will give your TV maximum protection and will allow it to be stored upright as lying it flat can damage your TV. You can get the right packaging for your TV at our online Box Shop.

9. What is the best way to store your furniture?

When it comes to preparing furniture for long-term storage, a little bit of effort can go a long way in ensuring its safety and condition. Disassembling your furniture as much as possible not only saves space, but it also protects it from damage during transport and storage. This step can make a big difference, especially if you’re dealing with larger pieces of furniture.

Additionally, covering your furniture with blankets or furniture covers, which are readily available at our box shop, is another essential step to safeguard your belongings from any potential harm. These covers not only offer protection from scratches and dents but also from dust and other environmental elements. By taking these simple yet effective measures, you can feel confident that your furniture will remain in excellent condition throughout its time in storage, and you’ll be able to enjoy it just as much when you retrieve it.

10. Relax now your life is Roomia!

Moving home can be a stressful experience, but as long as you prepare ahead of time and follow these moving tips then you’ll find the entire process more efficient and effortless. Keep in mind how happy you will be once you finally move into your new home. This will help you to relax and even enjoy the entire process.

Every move is unique

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all guide to moving house. Different people will have different needs and requirements depending on the nature of their move. For example, those who are downsizing may require more packing and storage needs. For others, moving will require transporting their entire household belongings including clothing, artwork, utensils and vehicles. Whatever your moving needs, Roomia is here to help. Our self storage facilities house personal storage units and vehicle storage so you can keep your items safe and secure in between homes.

NEED STORAGE? Make your life Roomia.

At Roomia, we offer more than just storage solutions. We offer service, security and understanding. You’ll soon discover how a little extra space can change your life.