Sealing the deal for your new home is about as exciting as it gets. It’s the chance for a fresh start and the opportunity to put your stamp on a completely new property.

However, before you can pop open the champagne and raise a toast to your new home, you first need to pack up your old one.

Very few people, if any, enjoy the process of packing, especially the lengthy ordeal of having to pack up everything you and your family own in the whole world when moving home.

Unfortunately though, it has to be done. However, there are ways in which you can make this undertaking a little bit easier, quicker and less stress-inducing.

From using a colour coded labelling system, to picking the right boxes, to systematically making your way through your home; keep reading to discover our top tips on how you can effectively pack for moving house and avoid any potential packing disasters.

Start by decluttering

Everybody has items in their house that they no longer want or need. They may have been hidden in a drawer or under a bed for some time and you may be surprised at just how much unwanted clutter you have squirreled away. These items should be thrown away or donated immediately as you do not want to have to pay a removal company to deliver things to your new home that you don’t even want.

Make sure you are thorough with this process and clear out your entire home including your loft, basement, garden and any other exterior spaces.

Scrutinise your new floorplan

You may have been provided with a brochure containing a floorplan of your new property when you originally viewed it, complete with the exact dimensions of all of the rooms. This is a handy document to keep as you can then inspect this plan and use it to help you decide which furniture you can comfortably take to your new home, plus you can check measurements for elements such as curtains, blinds and rugs.

The earlier you undertake this task, the sooner you can sell any items that will not fit or are not needed in your new home.

Make an inventory list

You should make a comprehensive list of any of your valuable and smaller belongings that you will be taking to your new home. This is important for ensuring that nothing gets lost while being transported, as well as helping to work out how many and which type of packing boxes you will need.

Pick a reputable removals company

You can choose to rent a van and carry out your move yourself, however, be warned, this is a tough job, especially if you have a lot of heavy or delicate items to move. Therefore, most people will decide to save themselves the stress, and outsource this job to a local removals company.

As you are entrusting all your worldly possessions to this company, you will want to ensure that you pick a reputable one that has received a lot of positive reviews. If in doubt, ask family and friends for recommendations.

Start packing

Now you can actually start packing up your belongings. It is a good idea to purchase high quality packing materials including sturdy boxes, bubble wrap and tissue paper to avoid any breakages. You can also utilise scrunched up paper to prevent items such as TV and computer screens, mirrors and picture frames from becoming scratched.

You should work your way systematically through your house, starting at the top of the property and completing each room before you move onto the next, as this will help prevent you from forgetting any items.

The most effective labelling system is using colour coded labels to identify different rooms in your home, such as blue for bathroom items, yellow for kitchen accessories and so on. This will make the unpacking process in your new home a lot simpler.

Other packing tips include:

• Pack heavy items in smaller boxes
• Clearly label boxes that contain breakables or valuable items
• Utilise blankets and pillows for packing delicate items
• Pack important documents such as passports, marriage and birth certificates in one box together

Prepare an overnight bag

You may not want to start unpacking straight away when you arrive at your new home, especially if you have had a long journey. Therefore, you should pack an overnight essentials bag so that you have clean clothes and toiletries on hand without having to start opening securely taped boxes.

In your overnight bag you may want to include:

• Clean clothes
• Nightwear
• Essential toiletries
• A kettle with coffee/teabags
• Snacks
• Plates, cutlery and a cloth
• A first aid kit
• A torch
• A small tool kit

It is also a good idea to pack a small bag for the journey that includes any important documents you may need such as the details of your removal company, bottled water and a selection of snacks and in-car mobile phone chargers.

For expert home moving advice, contact our team of professionals at David Michael Properties on 01516014847 or call into our office. We look forward to welcoming you.