Packing an apartment can feel overwhelming; almost everything you own suddenly needs to go into a box. The easiest way to make progress is to stop thinking about packing the entire apartment at once.
Instead, work in order. Pack the things you rarely use first and save your everyday essentials for the final days. Decluttering before you begin can also cut down on the amount of work ahead.
If you’re getting ready for a move, here’s how to start packing your apartment without creating unnecessary stress.
Start With the Things You Use the Least
Not sure what to pack first? Start with anything you won’t need before moving day.
Seasonal decorations, books, framed photos, extra linens, collectibles, and out-of-season clothing are all good candidates. You can also pack small appliances, serving dishes, and other kitchen items you rarely use.
As moving day gets closer, work your way toward the things you use more often. Everyday clothes, toiletries, basic cookware, medications, chargers, and cleaning supplies should be accessible until the end.
Declutter Before You Pack
There’s no reason to carefully wrap, pack, move, and unpack something you don’t want or need.
Before filling boxes, go through each room and separate your belongings into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or store. This can reduce the amount you have to pack while making your new apartment easier to organize.
Create a simple inventory of the belongings you plan to move, especially larger or more valuable items. Photograph all your valuables before packing them so you have a record of their condition.
This is also a good time to identify anything that needs extra attention. Artwork, antiques, pianos, oversized furniture, and other delicate or heavy belongings may require specialty handling. Tell your moving company about these items before moving day so they can plan accordingly.
Create a Room-by-Room Packing Schedule
Unless you’re moving within the next day or so, you don’t need to pack your apartment in one marathon session.
Set manageable goals based on how much time you have. You might pack the dining room one evening, books and decorations the next, and out-of-season clothes over the weekend.
Work through one area before jumping to another. Having six half-packed rooms can make your apartment feel more chaotic than it needs to be.
Save the rooms you depend on most for later. Your kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom will probably contain items you need right up until moving day, so pack them in stages instead of emptying them all at once.
Gather Your Packing Supplies
Having the right supplies from the beginning saves you from stopping halfway through a room because you ran out of boxes or packing tape.
You’ll likely need boxes in several sizes, packing tape, permanent markers, packing paper, and bubble wrap. Wardrobe boxes can make moving hanging clothes easier, while specialty boxes may be useful for dishes, artwork, or other fragile belongings.
Try to match the box to what you’re packing. Heavy items like books belong in smaller boxes that are easier to carry. Larger boxes are better for lighter belongings like pillows and linens.
If possible, purchase your supplies at least two weeks before you expect to finish packing. Big John’s Moving also sells moving and packing supplies, including more environmentally friendly options.
Label Boxes as You Go
A good labeling system takes only a few seconds per box and can save a lot of time later.
Label boxes with the room where they belong and a brief description of what’s inside. Instead of writing only “Kitchen,” for example, write “Kitchen: Pots and Pans.”
Write that information on the top and at least two sides. That way, you can still identify a box when several are stacked together. Use a dark permanent marker and clearly write “FRAGILE” on boxes containing breakable items.
You can also assign each room a color and use matching colored labels or tape. When you reach the new apartment, movers can quickly see where each box belongs.
Pack Each Room in Stages
Once the easy nonessentials are out of the way, you can work through the rest of the apartment.
In the living and dining areas, pack decorations, books, wall art, and entertainment items first. Wrap frames carefully and use original packaging for electronics if you still have it. Dishes and glassware should be individually protected with packing paper or bubble wrap. If you disassemble a table or other furniture, place screws and other hardware in a labeled bag.
In the kitchen, begin with rarely used appliances, specialty cookware, serving pieces, and extra dishes. Seal pantry items securely and check for anything that could leak. As moving day approaches, reduce what you leave unpacked to a few dishes and basic cookware.
For the bedroom, start with out-of-season clothes, extra bedding, and accessories. If you use wardrobe boxes, you can save time by placing clothes that are already on hangers directly inside. Keep the sheets and bedding you’ll need for your last night separate.
In the bathroom, pack extra towels and toiletries first. Put liquids in leakproof bags before boxing them. Keep daily toiletries, toilet paper, medications, and other necessities accessible.
You’ll also want a few cleaning supplies available for your final walkthrough. Set aside trash bags, surface cleaner, paper towels, and anything else you’ll need for last-minute cleanup.
Set Aside Things That Shouldn’t Go on the Moving Truck
Some belongings should stay with you throughout the move.
Gather important documents such as passports, identification, leases, moving contracts, and financial paperwork. Keep them together in a secure folder or protective pouch and transport them personally.
Do the same with medications, keys, phones, chargers, and anything else you can’t afford to lose access to.
If you have pets, keep their food, medication, leash or carrier, and other immediate supplies separate. A small first-aid kit is also useful to have nearby.
Keep basic tools accessible as well. You may need a screwdriver, tape measure, batteries, or other small items while taking furniture apart or setting it back up.
Prepare a First-Night Bag
Think of your first-night bag as luggage for an overnight trip.
Each household member should have a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, chargers, and other personal necessities. If you have children, include anything they’ll need for bedtime or the following morning.
Keep clean bedding easy to reach so you can make the bed without opening several boxes. You may also want a few basic kitchen supplies for your first meal or morning coffee.
Most importantly, don’t load these items deep inside the moving truck. Keep them with you or make sure they’re clearly separated from everything else.
Leave Heavy and Specialty Items to the Professionals
Some belongings require more than a box and a roll of tape.
Pianos, antiques, large furniture, artwork, and other heavy or delicate pieces can be difficult to move safely. Professional movers have the equipment and experience to transport them without damage.
If large furniture needs to be disassembled, determine ahead of time who will handle it. Appliance doors and cords should also be secured before anything is moved.
Big John’s Moving provides professional packing and specialty moving services for belongings that need additional care. If everything can’t go directly into your new apartment, we also offer secure, climate-controlled storage through Little John’s Storage in the Bronx.
Get Your New Apartment Ready for Move-In
A little planning at your new apartment can make unloading much easier.
Decide where large pieces of furniture should go before the movers arrive. You don’t need a detailed floor plan, but knowing where you want the sofa, bed, dining table, and other large items can prevent unnecessary rearranging.
Your labeling system will also come in handy. Boxes can go directly into their assigned rooms instead of piling up near the front door.
Once everything is inside, focus on getting the essentials ready first. Make the beds, set up the bathroom, and unpack enough of the kitchen to get through your first day. The rest can wait.
Make Packing Easier with Big John’s Moving
You can pack an apartment yourself, but you don’t have to handle every box on your own.
Big John’s Moving has served New York City since 1977. We provide local and long-distance moving, professional packing, moving supplies, specialty handling, and climate-controlled storage. We use our own professional movers and trucks rather than subcontracting your move to another company.
If you only need help with certain belongings, we can provide custom packing support that makes sense for your move. Senior citizens and military families can also ask about available discounts.
Getting ready to pack your apartment? Contact Big John’s Moving today for a free estimate and start planning your move.
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