While statistics from the United States Census Bureau show a slight decrease in the number of total moves made during the 2016 counting year, more than 11 of each 100 Americans are still expected to move annually. With this level of activity, it is no wonder that organization plays such a critical role in every successful moving process. If you are preparing to move soon, these room-by-room organization and packing tips can help you enjoy a less stressful moving experience. 

In the bedroom

In most homes, the bedroom is considered a private space that often has a more relaxed weekly cleaning routine than other rooms in the home, such as the ones guests are more likely to see. This often means that the bedroom is a bit more cluttered and can take longer to pack when moving to another home. 

A good way to better organize and speed up the packing process for a bedroom can be as simple as using your current storage options to their best advantage. Some ways to do this include: 

• leaving clothes on hangers and placing them together in large wardrobe bags
• removing dresser drawers and inserting each one into a trash bag that is then tightly sealed
• using suitcases to pack small items and toiletries

Remember to use a trash bag or other protective lining inside suitcases to protect their interiors from damage. It is also wise to place any liquids, powders, lotions, and creams into small zippered plastic storage bags to prevent spills during transit. 

In a child's room

In addition to using the same dresser drawer and closet packing strategies for clothing in a child's room, parent's can also utilize other available spaces. Toy boxes can be filled with small items and taped shut. Small bookcases can be stacked with books and games, then wrapped tightly with shrink wrap to hold the items in place during the move. Soft toys, bulky outerwear, and stuffed animals can be packed tightly into pillowcases, laundry bags, and backpacks to cut down on packing chores and save space in the moving truck. 

In the kitchen

The kitchen offers many possibilities for using existing items as packing containers during a move. Cleaned and sanitized trash cans can be filled with canned goods and small kitchen accessories. The kitchen oven can be filled with boxed or bagged foods or lightweight plastic bowls and storage containers and then taped securely closed for the trip.

Freezers and refrigerators can be wiped clean and dry and then packed full of linens and bulky, unbreakable bakeware, such as sheet pans, cookie sheets, and baking pans. Small appliances, such as blenders and slow cookers can be filled with small spice containers and utensils and then taped securely closed. Flatware can be sorted and stacked, then taped together and dropped into empty canisters or cooking pots. 

If possible, consider gifting any opened or potentially messy foods to a neighbor or local food bank, instead of trying to protect them from spoiling during the moving process. In addition to avoiding potentially messy spills and drips, you will also be helping to avoid wasting these items, in case of an unexpected delay in the moving process. 

In the laundry room

The empty cavities inside your washer and dryer can be a real benefit on moving day. For example, the washer is a perfect place to pack bottles of liquid detergents, shampoos, and other products. If a spill should occur, running a wash cycle once the machine is unpacked and hooked up at the new house is all that will be needed to wash away the mess. 

The cavernous interior of your clothes dryer is perfect for stashing couch pillows, throw rugs, towels, shower curtains, and other soft items. To learn more about packing for your most organized move ever, contact a moving company in your area.