So, you’ve sorted out a mortgage and set that all-important completion date. The next challenge is to actually move.
But how can you get all your stuff from A to B without breaking sweat - or breaking that lovely vase Aunt Mabel gave you?
Because moving can be a challenge, we’ve created these top tips for moving home to help you. We’ll cover everything from labelling and saving space to transporting those precious heirlooms.
1. Plan ahead
Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Throwing everything into random boxes might save energy at the time, but it’ll give you a headache when it’s time to unpack. You won’t know where anything is.
So, create a packing schedule. Know what you want to have packed by when. And get started around two months before you move.
Declutter as you go along. There’s no point packing items you don’t need.
2. Do things in the right order
Pack up one room at a time. And keep all the boxes from each room together.
Start at the top of the house and move downwards. You probably won’t need stuff that’s been gathering dust in your attic before you leave.
Kitchen items, on the other hand, are different. So, pack things you use on a daily basis last. Moving is thirsty work so cling to your kettle for as long as possible.
Remember to pack a moving day survival kit too. That’s a bag with all the essential things you need to get through the first 24 hours in your new pad.
3. Get the right materials
Order all the cardboard boxes you’ll need in advance. Get different sizes for different items, and make sure they’re sturdy.
Top tip: get extra boxes because it’s easy to underestimate how much stuff you have.
You’ll also need the following:
- bubble wrap
- packing tape
- eco-friendly packing peanuts
- markers for labelling
- sturdy tape
- sharp scissors
- labelling stickers
- old towels to wrap fragile stuff
- newspaper or packing paper (to wrap breakables).
Use the paper to fill empty spaces in your boxes. Stuff could break if it rattles around.
You could also try garbage bags instead of boxes for things like clothes and bedding. Big black sacks are stronger than you think.
Finally, get some sealable sandwich bags for screws, bolts and nails. They’re perfect when you’re disassembling furniture or shelves. They’re also handy for, well, your lunch!
4. Love to label
Labelling makes life so much easier when you unpack. You’ll know exactly what’s inside each box and which room it belongs to.
So, grab that marker pen and identify every container. Or you could use a colour-coded system instead: blue stickers for kitchen stuff, white ones for the bathroom etc.
You could even number boxes. Try low numbers for essential everyday items – we’re talking about the kettle again – and high numbers for stuff you won’t need straight away.
Friendly warning: be sure to label breakables as ‘fragile’ and stuff that weighs a ton as ‘heavy’. You don’t want to break precious figurines. Or your back.
5. Try to save space
Outer space is mindbogglingly massive. But packing space is sparse. So, save all the cubic inches you can.
Start by rolling up clothes rather than folding them. This should minimise creases too. And stack pots and pans inside each other so there’s room for other bulky items.
Here’s another tip: vacuum-pack duvets, blankets, and towels. These take up a lot of room even though they’re quite light.
Finally, don’t bother unpacking drawers. Just wrap cling film over the top so the contents don’t spill out. Then move the whole unit as one.
Of all our top tips for moving home, this one really thinks outside the box.
6. Now you’re cooking
Is easy to get burned if you pack your kitchen badly. So, avoid packing your plates flat. The weight could crack the bottom ones.
Wrap each plate in paper and stack them vertically instead - like your old man’s vinyl record collection.
You could also save space by packing small items inside larger bowls and other containers.
Try to store liquids and wine bottles in plastic boxes. Then it won’t matter so much if they spill. Leaks have a habit of soaking through cardboard.
Don’t forget to defrost your freezer before your move, either. And use dividers to separate packed glasses and stemware.
7. Protect the fragile
Glassware isn’t the only thing to protect when moving. Think about ornaments, clocks, mirrors and art as well.
Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap and secure them safely with tape. Remove any loose accessories or lids beforehand and wrap them separately.
It’s also worth packing smaller items in their own smaller boxes. Add a layer of soft packing material at the bottom of each box, too.
If you want to protect something bigger, try wrapping it in towels or even clothes. For example, removal blankets are great for protecting furniture from scratches. It’ll be as snug as a bug in a rug.
8. Think before you pack heavy items
You need muscle to move heavier items. But don’t forget to use the other muscle-like thing between your ears!
Being smart starts with using sturdy boxes. And strengthen the bottoms with extra strips of tape.
Also remember that books don’t weigh a lot on their own, but the kilograms soon add up. So, pack them in lots of smaller boxes you can easily lift.
Beware mixing lighter and heavier items, as well. Heavy goods will squash the delicate ones.
And pause for thought before you stack heavy and light boxes together. Always put the heavy containers at the bottom.
Clever idea: try using suitcases to pack things you can’t move in boxes. It’s sometimes easier to wheel heavier items around. This is one of our absolute favourite tips for moving home.
9. Avoid crossed wires
Take a photo of the back of your TV or computer before you unplug them. Then you’ll know where everything goes back.
Coil up the wires, tape them up, and label them. It’s a great way to know which wires belong to what.
Finally, pack batteries and chargers in the sealable bags we mentioned earlier. Write down which goods they belong to. This will avoid guessing games later.
10. Handle with care
Last, but not least, here are a few things that could be hard to transport. In fact, most professional packing companies will refuse to move these items:
- aerosols
- fireworks
- gases
- lighter fluid
- oil
- bleach.
Anything flammable can be a problem. So, nail polish and even paints can be an issue.
Meanwhile, you might consider transporting valuables like jewellery and important documents separately from the rest of your things.
Don’t pack perishable foods either, especially if your things are going into storage. Imagine unpacking a month-old lettuce. Yuk!
Final takeaways
Packing needn’t be a problem if you plan, plan, plan. Just remember these top tips for moving home and you’ll be well on your way.
And when your stuff arrives safely at your lovely new home, you can put Aunt Mabel’s vase back where it belongs: pride of place above the mantlepiece.
Or were you hiding it at the back of your wardrobe?
This content was accurate when published on 08/01/2026.
If you find packing a chore, check out My Home Manager for help. You’ll discover a moving checklist, moving FAQs, plus you can get a free removals quote from our partner, AnyVan.
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