Start with a good declutter
Moving house is a great excuse to have a bit of a declutter before you start packing. This can be especially helpful if you’re downsizing and might not have as much storage space).
- Sort items into donate, sell, toss and keep piles
- Be honest – if it hasn’t been used in the last 12 months, do you really need it?
- Make it fun – get the kids involved and reward them for filling a box with toys to donate
You’ll save time packing, unpacking and finding space for things you no longer need.
Pack like a pro
A little planning goes a long way when it comes to packing.
- Label every box clearly – instead of just “kitchen”, try “kitchen – pots and pans”
- Use colour coding – stick a coloured dot on each box and match it to the same colour on the door at your new place
- Number your boxes and keep a quick list of what’s in each – a photo of the list on your phone works a treat
- Leave drawers full – just remove them from the unit, wrap in cling film or put in a plastic bag
- Pack a little each day rather than leaving it all to the last minute
Create a moving caddy
Keep all your moving essentials in one basket, box or caddy so you’re not constantly searching for them.
It might include:
- Packing tape
- Scissors
- Labels and markers
- Zip lock bags
- A screwdriver or two
- Box cutters
- Sticky notes
Let everyone in the house know where it lives – and make it the golden rule that it all goes back in once used!
Use what you have
You don’t need fancy packing gear – get creative with things you already have around the house.
- Wrap glasses and mugs in socks
- Use doonas, quilts and blankets to protect large items and artwork
- Instead of wrapping individual plates, stack them with paper plates in between
- Shoes? Pop them in shower caps to stop them dirtying up your clothes
- Leave clothes on hangers – slide a bin liner over a bunch at once and tie it at the top
Keep it drawer‑by‑drawer
When packing drawers (especially in the office or kitchen), don’t mix everything together.
- Use bags or small containers to keep contents of each drawer together
- Label them so you know exactly where they go later
You’ll be surprised how much time this saves when unpacking.
Neat linen trick
To save you rummaging through boxes on move‑in day, fold your sheet sets and tuck them inside their matching pillowcase for a ready‑to‑go bedding bundle.
Make tech reassembly easier
Take photos of the back of your electronics before you unplug anything – your future self will thank you!
- Snap your TV and entertainment setup.
- Take pics of computer cables, modem connections and anything that looks confusing.
- Keep all power cords and cables with their matching item, ideally in a labelled bag or box.
Don’t lose your screws
When disassembling furniture, pop screws and any small fittings into a zip lock bag and tape it to the piece it belongs to.
Pack an essentials box
Have one box (or a few reusable bags) filled with the bits you’ll want easy access to right away. Things like:
- Tea and coffee
- Kettle and mugs
- Snacks and water bottles
- Toilet paper and hand soap
- Cleaning wipes, cloths and paper towels
- Light bulbs, phone chargers and batteries
- Pyjamas and a clean change of clothes
- Bin bags – because there’s always more rubbish than you expect
Make sure this box goes with you in the car or is the last thing on the truck, so it’s easy to grab when you arrive.
Moving house might never be totally stress‑free, but with a little planning and a few clever tricks, you can make it a whole lot easier on yourself.
