Got a move coming up? I asked experts for their top moving tips for a stress-free day

CNN

15 hours ago

Moving organization product quick picks
Recyclable packing paper: LuckyGuard Honeycomb Packing Paper
Easy-to-store moving bags: Veno Moving Bags, 8-Pack
Color-coded labels: Lrogoe Packing Box Labels, 600-Count
Your best friend for unboxing: Internet's Best Retractable Box Cutter, 2-Pack Organizing, packing and moving all your home's belongings always takes more time and, frankly, more energy than you think. Whether you're going cross-country, cross-county or just hopping a few blocks away, the hassle of moving never seems to subside. If you're moving during the summer, you'll also be dealing with even more delays as you take breaks to cool off from the sweltering heat.
Thankfully, there are strategies that can make your move more streamlined and stress-free. We've reached out to moving and organization experts to get all their insights, product recommendations and top tips for making your next move a little bit easier.
If you've already got a moving date set, it's never too early to start packing. Andrea Walker, certified professional organizer and owner of Smartly Organized, recommends you start packing four to six weeks ahead of your official moving date. But before you put anything into a box, you should first declutter your home and get rid of anything broken or unused to prevent unnecessary packing.
Founding executive of Piece of Cake Moving Najah Ayoub said that on average, it takes people two weeks to pack a two-bedroom apartment and three or more weeks to pack a three-bedroom apartment or house by themselves. Making a plan of what rooms can be packed well in advance and what essentials you need to save for last can make the overall process easier to manage, according to Ayoub.
Walker recommends checking non-essentials, like off-season clothing, decor, books and memorabilia, off your packing list first, since these things can be packed over time and won't be missed during the lead-up to the move.
Bryco Goods Packing Paper, 640 Sheets
All our experts touted the importance of packing paper for giving your valuables more cushion and filling in the negative space inside the box where items tend to rattle around. Ayoub said she prefers to use paper instead of bubble wrap since it's more eco-friendly and easier to use for a wide array of items.
Scotch Heavy-Duty Packaging Tape
Walker said she's not a fan of using tape guns to seal boxes and instead recommended using smaller tape dispensers like this one from Scotch. CNN Underscored's associate home and gifts editor Nikol Slatinska also prefers to use this tape when she needs to pack and ship boxes, since the built-in strip cutter makes it easier and more efficient to use than duct tape.
LuckyGuard Honeycomb Packing Paper
If you're looking for alternatives to traditional packing paper or plastic bubble wrap, our outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Kai Burkhardt loves this Honeycomb paper. 'It's recyclable but still offers great protection to keep your valuables safe,' he said. 'I used it when I moved across the country from New York to Colorado a few years ago.'
Pratt Retail Specialities Bubble Cushion
You can, of course, still use traditional bubble wrap to protect your valuables. However, Walker said you should use bubble wrap minimally since it makes items hard to unwrap and can contribute to bulky, overstuffed boxes. As you pack and sort, our experts recommend keeping similar items grouped together. This will make unpacking more intuitive once you settle into your new space.
Specialty moving boxes can also help you better pack bulky items, like hanging clothes and jackets, or protect more fragile pieces, like glassware and dinnerware. 'Sturdy boxes designed for moving, good packing tape and packing paper are just basics,' Ayoub said. 'Moving boxes made specifically for kitchenware and stemware are convenient, and extra-large reusable moving bags are great and durable for moving clothing and soft items.'
But just because a box is large doesn't mean you need to pack it to the top with items. Overpacking is an easy habit to fall into, but it can make boxes heavy or uneven in weight, rendering them hard — or even unsafe — to move around.
To prepare for the first 24 to 48 hours in your new home, Ayoub recommends creating a box or two of 'first-night essentials' that includes everything you'll need to feel at home. 'Like toiletries, a few clothing outfits, a set of basic kitchen items, pillows, towels and bed linens and any daily electronics like laptops, chargers or any smart home devices,' she said. 'That way, even if everything else is still packed, you have the essentials you need to settle in comfortably right away.'
The Home Depot 30-Box Apartment Moving Kit
Knowing how many boxes you'll need for your move can be tricky. Ayoub said for a small apartment, you might need 10 to 15 boxes, but for larger homes with three or more bedrooms, you could easily require 50 or more boxes. 'The rule of thumb is a bookcase with three shelves typically requires three boxes, one box per shelf,' said Ayoub. 'This is a good guide to estimate how many boxes you'll need.'
Uboxes Kitchen Moving Box & Supplies Kit
Ayoub recommends investing in quality moving boxes that serve a specialty function, like these kitchen-specific moving boxes, which will help ensure all your fragile glassware and fine china arrive safely and in one piece.
Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes With Bar
To save you from the painstaking task of unhanging and packing your closet, grab these clothing moving boxes. You can hang your clothes directly on the included metal rod within the box, so there'll be no leftover pile of hangers to pack up and unloading your wardrobe into your new home will be a breeze.
Tiger Taco Box Clips, 4-Pack
Walker said she loves how these taco clips hold down box flaps and make it easier to pack and unpack uninterrupted. Made of durable plastic resin, these clips are ribbed on both sides for a better grip when sliding on and off.
Spacesaver Roll-Up Vacuum Storage Bags
'I'm currently in the process of moving apartments right now and rather than dealing with packing all my hanging clothes in boxes and getting them wrinkled, I bought these vacuum storage bags that come with a travel pump to help make the move that much easier,' Kevin Martinez, associate programming editor, said. 'Not only am I planning to use this for the move, but it's versatile enough for traveling and more.'
Prowee Queen Mattress Bag, 2-Pack
If your mattress is also tagging along to your new abode, grab a cover to keep bugs, dirt and debris from creeping in while you move. This set comes with two bags that can cover mattresses up to 14 inches high, and there are other options for twin-, full- and king-sized mattresses too.
Veno Moving Bags, 8-Pack
Reusable moving bags, like these from Veno, were recommended by all our experts for toting soft goods like towels, sheets and pillows. CNN Underscored's home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel is also a fan. 'These zippered bags fit so much inside, but they can get pretty heavy — luckily, they have a 50-pound capacity and backpack straps,' Patel said. 'I used mine to move bedding, shoes, clothes (you can leave the hangers on!) and more. The best part is they fold flat, so I was able to store them away until the next time I move.'
Ziploc Storage Bags Variety Pack
For small items that would otherwise roam loose inside a box, resealable bags are a great tool. 'You have no guarantee that a box will stay upright the way you packed it, so throwing loose items into a box will make a mess during a move,' Gayle Goddard, certified professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas, said. 'Use Ziplocs to contain all those little items and be so much happier in the unpacking process.'
Pratt Retail Specialties Stretch Wrap
For delicate items or furniture pieces you don't want tape residue to linger on, Goddard likes this stretch wrap on a roll, which she said is also great for tall or awkward-shaped things like brooms and curtain rods. 'You can wrap those up tightly with this stretch wrap, load and carry lots of those things together without losing control of them,' Goddard said. 'You can also wrap around furniture drawers and storage drawers to keep them from coming open in the move process.' Walker recommends clearly labeling all your moving boxes, both on the top and on at least two sides. You should include the room name (where those items will live in your new home) and a short description of the general contents of each box. 'This method keeps your boxes organized for both the movers (they can see the top) and you or your unpacking team (they can see what's in the box when stacked) and minimizes the need to open every box just to find your coffee mug,' she said.
Lichamp Orange Painter's Tape, 2-Pack
A roll of painter's tape (or several) can be handy for making labels stand out and is less damaging to the boxes if you're hoping to reuse or repurpose them.
Sharpie Fine-Point Permanent Markers, 12-Pack
You know their name for a reason. Our experts recommend using Sharpie markers for labeling since the fine-point tips allow you to write both smaller, descriptive lists and larger labels with equal ease. Plus, with their smudge-resistant and quick-drying finish, you won't have to worry about your notes wiping away or causing a mess as you move.
Yahenda Dot Stickers
Walker said her team likes to label boxes using color-coded stickers or tape. Each room in the new home then corresponds to a specific color. This system speeds up unloading and helps make sure your boxes end up in the correct location. It also helps streamline foot traffic and avoid questions on move-in day. You can also make note of the contents of each package by writing on the inside flap of the box, which Walker said lets you glance at what's inside without having to dig through all the paper.
Lrogoe Packing Box Labels
These color-coordinated labels also include some dedicated blank space, so you can write brief notes on what you're packing in each box. The set also comes with labels to mark heavy and fragile boxes, as well as several blank labels for more customized organization. Once all the packing, moving and shuffling is done, there's still unpacking to look forward to.
If you've organized and labeled your boxes properly, this part should feel a tad easier than the packing phase. But there are still some tools our experts recommend having on hand so you can set up your space quickly and just the way you want it.
Internet's Best Retractable Box Cutter, 2-Pack
Walker said to ditch the scissors and instead use these retractable box cutters to safely open and unpack your boxes. The sturdy handle will give you plenty of grip and control, but the overall slim design is still small enough to stash in your pocket or fanny pack as you bounce from room to room.
Slice Mini Box Cutter
A little gadget that helps with big jobs, this mini box cutter is a favorite of editorial director Chelsea Stone. The ceramic blade cuts through tape and seals with ease and the compact design can help you unpack and break down moving boxes all day long. Read our review
Kiss Core Furniture Sliders, 13-Piece Set
To help reposition bulky items or larger pieces of furniture once they're in your home, use these furniture sliders that Walker recommends. This 13-piece set comes with sliding options for both carpeted and hardwood floors, plus a furniture lift designed to save you a lot of back-breaking effort.
Business & Pleasure Co. The Beach Cart
For those planning a mostly DIY move, a rolling cart can save you tons of labor, even just between your house and the moving truck. Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer, relied on this beach cart to carry appliances in and out of her home. 'This carried espresso and Nespresso machines, side pillows and travel bags I tested over the last few months without buckling under pressure,' she said. 'It made transporting things from my apartment to the moving truck to the storage unit super easy, and kept all the products safe as well.'Read our review The following FAQs have been answered by certified professional organizers Gayle Goddard and Andrea Walker, as well as Najah Ayoub, founding executive of Piece of Cake Moving.
Where should I buy moving boxes?
Where should I buy moving boxes?
Walker said you can find traditional cardboard moving boxes in an array of sizes at stores like The Home Depot, U-Haul or Lowe's. A benefit of these boxes is that they're all uniform in shape, which Walker said allows movers to stack and carry them safely, estimate weights accurately and pack the truck efficiently.
Goddard recommends using small moving boxes as much as possible since they're easier to lift and stack or throw on a moving dolly. Moving costs can quickly get expensive, which is why if you need to buy supplies, Goddard recommends buying them online to avoid being overcharged at a moving store. She likes Anchor Box and Half Price Boxes, both of which she said offer good variety at reasonable prices.
There are alternatives to cardboard moving boxes as well. Walker said that rentable, reusable plastic moving crates are gaining popularity. 'They're stackable, don't require tape or assembly and are more eco-friendly,' Walker said. 'While they don't eliminate the need for some cardboard, they're a great option, especially for short-distance or DIY moves.'
How long before a move should I start packing?
How long before a move should I start packing?
Many people don't start early enough or underestimate the effort that goes into moving. 'Packing usually takes longer than people may think, for example, a small studio or one-bedroom apartment can take a week, and a two- or more-bedroom home can take two to three weeks, depending on your items,' Ayoub said.
Goddard said you should start packing as soon as you know you're going to move. To prevent using up all your free time packing in a last-minute rush, Goddard recommends starting with the places in your home where you keep things you don't reach for very often. 'Those storage places are perfect to start packing up first because it doesn't disrupt your household to pack them, and because you can simultaneously declutter as you work, reducing how much you end up packing and moving to the new place,' she said.
All of our experts also recommend decluttering your home and getting rid of items you don't need prior to packing. 'You don't want to pay to move things that you're going to donate on the other end,' Goddard said. 'Going through everything before you pack and donating anything that you don't want to take to the new house will save you hours of packing and unpacking.'
It's also good to have an idea of where larger items (like furniture) are going to live in your new space so you can give the movers clear directions as they unload the truck, ultimately saving them extra effort and exertion.
What items should I move first when moving?
What items should I move first when moving?
While everyone has their own system for moving, Walker said that generally, your high-priority items should be the last thing you load onto the truck. That way, they can be the first things off once you get to your destination.
Walker recommends loading your packed boxes first. This creates space to wrap, disassemble and move larger furniture pieces more efficiently. She added that her team often asks for kitchen boxes to be loaded last so they can be promptly unpacked and set up early in the new space. Fragile and other valuable items should be clearly marked and moved into the truck separately or last to ensure they're easy to access upon arrival.
For pet owners, Goddard said moving day is a good time to leave your furry friends at the veterinarian, pet hotel or boarding house to prevent them from getting stressed by the chaos or interfering with the move. They can return once the movers are all gone and the new house is more settled and quiet.
How should I organize boxes for moving?
How should I organize boxes for moving?
Ayoub said packing isn't just about putting things in a box. 'Use quality packing materials and start with packing heavier items like books at the bottom and lighter-weight items like pillows on top,' she said. 'Fill in any gaps with soft items like clothing, towels or crumpled paper to keep things in place from shifting, especially when it comes to packing fragile items.'
A top tip we heard from all our experts was to refrain from overpacking boxes, which can make them difficult and unsafe to lift. When it comes to fragile items, Ayoub said to use packing paper, bubble wrap or boxes specifically designed for breakables like dishware or wine glasses. 'They take the guesswork out of packing,' Ayoub said. 'No overcrowding or worrying if things will shift. And of course, remember to label boxes as 'fragile' to make sure everyone knows these boxes need to be handled with extra care.'
Labeling all your boxes — not just the fragile ones — is essential for ensuring a smooth unpacking process. Goddard said to label boxes based on their end destination in your new home: bathroom, kitchen, dining room, main bedroom and so on. It's also a good idea to add a brief description of what's in each box. '[It] doesn't have to be 100% of the contents, but some content details will help you when you start looking for a specific item for the kitchen, for instance,' Goddard said.
If you're moving cross-country, you should also add your last name to each box, just in case things get lost in transit. However, there are some things you shouldn't pack in the main truck. Goddard said valuables like jewelry, musical instruments and important documents like passports or birth certificates should remain close to you (like in your personal vehicle) for the duration of the move.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on staying organized during a move.
Najah Ayoub, founding executive of Piece of Cake Moving
Gayle Goddard, certified professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas
Andrea Walker, certified professional organizer and owner of Smartly Organized
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Jillian Tracy consulted three moving and organization experts for their tips on how to efficiently pack and prep for a move. She also tapped CNN Underscored editors for their favorite moving tools.