Packing Hacks To Make Your Family's Move Easier

Few people are ever thrilled about the idea of packing up all of their family's belongings for their local movers to take to their next house. Whether they are moving just across town or to the other side of the country, packing always seems to take about twice as long as seems necessary.

If you are faced with an upcoming move, these packing hacks will make the process a lot faster:

Put Tape and Markers on a Windowsill in Each Room

Rather than putting all of your moving boxes and supplies in one central location in your home, instead, purchase a bunch of rolls of tape and markers and put them on a windowsill in each room. Pile some boxes in each room as well, and then you won't have to keep walking across the house to get boxes or other supplies.

Use Color-Coded Boxes for Each Room or Family Member

If you have a large home or many children, then using a color-coded system when packing works well. Assign each person a different color and ask them to clearly mark all of their boxes with that color.

When your boxes arrive at their destination, simply place them into each room according to the color-coded labels.

Use Plastic Wrap and Plastic Bags Liberally When Packing

To keep things from moving around in your drawers and to make moving hanging clothing much easier, buy some big boxes of plastic wrap and black lawn and leaf bags.

Wrap each dresser drawer in plastic wrap and this will keep everything inside of it in place during the move.

Use the black lawn and leaf bags to create temporary garment bags. Gather a bunch of clothes hanging in your closet, slip the bag around the bottom of the garments, pull it up around them and tie the bag around the hangers. The plastic will protect your clothing during the move and can easily be removed and reused in your new home.

Create a First-Day Box and Move It Yourself

When you arrive at your new home, there are certain things you will need before everything else arrives in the moving truck.

For example, you may need a shower curtain to be able to bathe, or you may want to make some coffee in the morning to help you wake up before you start unpacking.

To ensure you have everything you need, pack up a "first-day" box. Use a distinctive box or colorful plastic tub and into it put such things as

• your coffeemaker and other coffee-making supplies

• paper towels

• toilet paper

• snacks

• breakfast food

• dish soap

Finally, place the tub into your car and move it yourself so you always know where it is located.

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