Professional Organizers Always Pack These 5 Things First for a Move—and Keep These 4 Essentials Out Until the End By Jenny Hughes

Unless you’re doing a gut renovation yourself, doing your own packingfor a move might be the task that requires the most time and attention from any renter or homeowner.

“The biggest mistake people make is underestimating how long packing takes. Even a few months before your move is not too early to start,” says Lauren Pearl, professional organizer.

It’s such a time-intensive task (and one that most people underestimate), pro organizer Sandra Einstein recommends getting a quote from professional movers to find out the cost to pack half. “You can compromise and do half yourself and let them do the other half,” she says.

Whether you’re packing half or all yourself, our experts recommend packing these five items first, and saving these four items for last.

5 Items to Pack First

“The same principle applies throughout the house: pack what you use least first,” Pearl summarizes. “The essentials you use every day should be packed last.”

Serveware, Formal Dinnerware

Counter to what you might think, Pearl recommends starting in the kitchen.

“Take a break from hosting as your move approaches, and pack your formal dinnerware, glassware, and the large serving platters and bowls you use for entertaining first. You won’t need them, and they take time to wrap and pack properly,” Pearl says.

Serveware and nice dinnerware tops Einstein’s list as well. “China, silverware, good stainless steel or silver utensils,” she lists.

Seasonal Clothes

“Start with the things in your home you won’t be using in the timeframe before the move,” Einstein says. One of the top examples of this is seasonal clothing.” For example, if you’re moving in the dead of winter, you definitely won’t need your sun hat and linen pants for many months.

If your seasonal clothes are stored in plastic bins, you still might want to repack them in cardboard boxes. When the plastic bins are mixed into a tall stack of heavy cardboard boxes in the moving truck, the weight of the boxes could cause the plastic lids or boxes to crack.

The Guest Room

Similar to how you’re unlikely to be hosting a party in the weeks before moving, you’re unlikely to host guests.

“Items in the guest room can usually be packed well before moving day,” Pearl says.

If your extra linens (sheets, blankets, towels) aren’t kept the in guest room, you can pack those away too, says Einstein. Just be sure to keep enough out for you to use in the coming weeks.

Books

Both organizers had books on their lists of items to pack first. Keep your current read and and your next book or two set aside and pack the rest.

Pearl recommends packing books in smaller boxes—the weight adds up quickly. “Even if movers will be doing the heavy lifting, you’ll probably end up moving boxes around yourself, and smaller, lighter boxes are easier to handle,” she says.

Decorative Items

Anything that’s decorative should be packed up.

“Knickknacks and any decorative items, such as vases and picture frames,” Einstein rattles off.

Although, if any of your decorative items are particularly valuable, like a notable piece of art or a piano, Einstein recommends having them professionally packed and, ideally, professionally moved.

4 Items to Pack Last

Valuables

“Keep valuable and irreplaceable items with you,” Pearl says. These are the items you don’t want to let out of your sight. Things like jewelry and passports.

“Important papers should go with you in the car or in a suitcase if [you’re] flying,” Einstein agrees. Anything that would require you to get in touch with a government service should be considered an important document: marriage license, birth certificate, title to your car, social security cards, etc.

Cleaning Supplies

You’ll want to keep your detergents and cleaners set aside to do laundry and keep your house from becoming generally gross while you’re living there.

However, Einstein questions if you should be packing cleaning suppliesat all, since they can leak or damage your other possessions. She recommends considering how far you’re moving before packing the supplies up. If you’re moving long distance, it might give you peace of mind to buy cleaning supplies in your new location.

Some professional moving companies won’t even move cleaning supplies, as they’re considered hazardous materials. Ask your moving company for a list of what they won’t move.

Items You Can Get Rid of

“Try not to move things you could/should get rid of,” Einstein says.

There’s no point taking the time and energy to pack something (and possibly pay someone to move it) if you don’t want it. Take this as an opportunity to go through your possessions and give away or donate what you don’t plan to use in your new home.

“The less you move, the less you’ll have to unpack and deal with when you arrive,” Pearl says.

What Helps You Live Comfortably

Whatever you truly need on a daily basis should be packed last.

“These include your medications, everyday toiletries, chargers, clothing, and whatever else you need to comfortably get through the final days before your move and the first few days in your new home,” Pearl says.

Think of it like this: the things you pack last should be the first things you’ll want to unpack.

For example, Einstein recommends saving your everyday linens (towels, sheets), medications, and small household appliances, like a coffee pot or toaster, as the items to pack last.