So you've found the perfect home to move to, whether it is your first home up- or downsizing, congratulations. Now it is time to pack up. The rest is exciting, but now you dread the headache of packing, knowing how much supplies that you need to get (without a million trips to the store) and making sure that your fragile items make it to the new place intact.
How many supplies you need depends on what you have
The pros have enough experience to help with estimating how much supplies you should get based on the size and the description of your home and possessions. To get a picture of what is needed, a rule of thumb to measure by is per 1200 square feet of living space. Some suggestions are one 25-lb roll of packing paper, six rolls of tape, one roll of small bubble wrap (more if you have a bursting kitchen or many trinkets), mattress covers for all your mattresses and box springs (make sure they are the right size) and 80-100 furniture blankets.
Getting and keeping your boxes sealed
Depending on the scope of the move (length, time, movers or friends, etc.) you may be used to folding the flaps of your boxes closed, but this leaves them vulnerable to moisture, insects and other stuff getting into your boxes. Not to mention that it makes it much more likely that something will fall through (cue driveway full of what was once packed nicely into the box now empty in your hands). The easiest way to ensure that nothing goes in or out of your boxes once packed place three strips of tape across the top and bottom of all of your boxes. Types and number of boxes can be determined by asking your movers or putting it into a moving supplies calculator online.
Packing material
Packing paper helps protect breakable items by preventing friction between objects. It does not leave ink residue that you have to try to remove after unpacking everything. It also helps to cover knives and other such items to help keep injuries from happening while unpacking. Bubble wrap is for the more fragile items in your house. Small bubbles for smaller things and large bubbles for things like large art and such.
Mattresses and box springs need care too
Mattress covers are essential for protecting the place where you spend one-third of your life and ensuring that no stains, dust or rips affect your investment. If you have a king size bed, remember that the box spring is usually two extra-long twin size so remember to get covers accordingly.
Furniture blankets
Don't forget to protect your furniture during the move. Scratches, dings, and dents, or broken drawers and doors, especially on expensive or heirloom furniture, could put a damper on any move. If that many blankets are too many for your budget, get enough for your most important furniture and then get paper moving pads or shrink wrap for the rest.
Avoiding the headache that can accompany moving
Although moving can be stressful, there is no reason to make it any more so than necessary. Do some research or ask a professional near you to take the stress, and trips to the store, out of moving this time around and enjoy your new home.