Packing your moving boxes for a smaller place.

Downsizing has become increasingly popular, as people are trying to live more simply, save more money or buying their own (small) space. If you’re moving from a large place to a much smaller one, packing boxes and getting ready is essential for a smooth transition. 

Don’t pack anything moving boxes until you are completely sure it will fit into your new home. If the house is smaller, chances are the spaces to fit furniture will also be. Measure walls, windows, floors and ceilings to know what you can still use and you will need to leave behind.

There are certain items that fall into the “maybe” category, as in “maybe you should leave them behind.” These are: modular seating, love seats, pillows and rugs and glass coffee tables. These are all difficult to place in a home with a different floor plan, are cheaper to replace than move or have too much of a chance to break during transport to be worth the effort.

When it comes to packing items inside moving boxes, be ruthless. Unloved books, big potted plants, appliances you never use, artwork (unless it’s valuable or you really love it) and old, worn up bric-a-brac should be donated or discarded.

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Real estate is going through a tough time and selling a home may not be as easy as it was once was. If you can’t seem to find a buyer and you can’t afford to keep waiting, there are things you can do to reduce losses. One example is to rent the house on a short-term basis. If the furniture is still inside and the house is ready to be used, you could rent it week by week to business travelers or people vacationing in your city. With the prices of hotels as high as ever and people struggling financially, home renting is a popular alternative, as it allows families to shop at local markets (rather than spend lots of money at local restaurants) and to save money on multiple hotel rooms.

If selling is urgent, you can always lower the price. Look to what other houses in the area are selling for and try to match their prices. Or offer things others don’t, like leaving furnishings or major appliances behind as part of the deal.

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Having a garage sale before you move can not only earn you some money to help you pay for the moving expenses such as moving boxes, but it can also save you the cost of moving heavy equipment. If you’re thinking about setting up a garage sale, these are just some of the things you should consider selling rather than moving:

• Large appliances such as refrigerator, washer and dryer and freezer
• Fireplace screens and tools (even if you have a fireplace in the new home, chances are it will be a different size)
• Chandeliers
• Shelving systems
• Workout equipment such as treadmills
• Paints, lighter fluids and even butane tanks used in camping stoves
• Pool table (unless you’re willing to pay for special handling)
• Firewood
• Swing set or playground equipment, including sandboxes
• Holiday decorations (unless Christmas is next week and you won’t have time to replace the tree)
• CDs and DVDs (take just the few you truly love)
• Toys (especially if your kids have outgrown them)
• Furniture that doesn’t match the color or style of your new home, unless you plan on reupholstering or repainting everything

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If you don’t love it, don’t pack it into the cardboard moving boxes to begin with. Moving stuff is expensive and if you can easily and cheaply replace something once you arrive, then don’t take it along.

1. Wardrobe moving boxes can become heavy when packed to the brim. Be ruthless when going through your clothes. If it doesn’t fit, you don’t love the color or you haven’t worn it in over a year, toss it instead of packing boxes with it.
2. Other things that make no sense to pack into moving boxes and take along (unless they have sentimental value or they’re antiques): rugs, workout equipment, handyman tools, playground equipment, heavy furniture and CDs and DVDs that you don’t plan on watching again anytime soon.
3. Don’t pack anything moving boxes that may be difficult to insure or may affect your claims. This includes items forbidden by moving companies, such as flammable items, aerosol cans, frozen foods and valuable paperwork. They should be either left behind or carry in smaller moving boxes that can fit in your own car.
4. Buy your packing boxes and moving supplies well in advance and pack with time. This will allow you to throw away whatever you don’t want or need and to donate things that still a useful life but you no longer need.

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Whether starting to pack for your move or storing the moving supplies for a while, keeping your moving boxes in perfect condition will ensure that your valuables will make to their destination in one piece.

• Don’t put your moving boxes together until you’re ready to fill them up. Until then, store them flat and against a wall or other structure. This will prevent the moving boxes from bending or breaking.
• Always fill up moving boxes all the way to the top. Empty spaces can cause the moving boxes to crush, not only risking the items inside but also ruining the box itself. If you can’t fill out the cardboard boxes with items, fill the remaining space with moving supplies such as crumbled up packing paper, bubble wrap or house hold items such as towels or sheets, which will act as extra padding.
• When stacking up moving boxes, put the heaviest at the bottom to prevent crushing lighter cardboard boxes.
• Store your packing boxes in a dry environment. Humidity can not only ruin the items inside the box, but it can weaken the cardboard boxes and cause it to break open.
• Distribute weight evenly inside the moving boxes. This will make them easier to pick up and less likely to give out because of the weight.

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If you thought packing and moving was stressful, you should wait and see what the unpacking is all about. To make that last step bearable, follow this simple rules:

1. If you remove hardware from furniture or other household items, place them into small Ziploc bags and then tape the bag to the item itself. Or place a label on the bag and write (with a permanent marker) what the items are for.
2. Unpack your beds first, so you can turn in quickly when fatigue or stress set in. As an alternative, bring an air mattress or a sleeping bag with you, so you don’t have to do the heavy work on your first day.
3. Pack moving boxes by room and clearly label them as Kitchen, Bathroom, etc. That will make it easier to locate the items you need once you arrive.
4. Pack essentials to help you get through the first day or two in a separate piece of luggage that you’re planning on taking with you. Include a change of clothes, personal toiletry items, a book or magazine, medication and any other item you need on a daily basis. You don’t want to be digging around in boxes to find your toothbrush on your first night.
5. Move a day later than your lease starts. This will allow you to get to the house before your boxes arrive and get the place ready by quickly moping the floors, airing the rooms or turning on the fridge. Little things you can do in advance mean less things to do on moving day.

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1. Place heavy items at the bottom of the moving boxes and lighter items on top, even if they’re made of resistant material. This will ensure that they’re not crushed or broken by the weight.
2. Tape the bottom of the moving boxes to ensure that they don’t open or break during transport, risking the contents. Tape the top to prevent moving boxes from opening and the contents spilling.
3. Use lots of bubble wrap or foam pellets around fragile items. The more, the better. Larger items can also be wrapped with a moving blanket to prevent scratches or chips.
4. Make sure cardboard boxes are not underfilled, as this can cause them to crush when piled. If there’s empty space at the top, use it to pack blankets, towels or other cushioning items that can play double duty and provide additional protection.
5. Clearly label the moving boxes as Fragile. Use waterproof markers or better yet, buy red stickers with the word Fragile on them, which are easier to spot even at a distance.

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One cost you may not be aware when moving is repacking. Every company has the right to check your moving boxes and larger items to ensure they are properly packed. This is a way for them to protect themselves against insurance claims that arise because an improperly-packed article broke during transport.

If the company establishes that your items are not properly packed or protected, they may ask you to repack. However, if time is tight and the inspection doesn’t happen until the moving boxes are already on the moving truck, you may be charged a repacking fee for packing boxes or items like this.

To avoid this, make sure your items are secured and properly placed inside moving boxes. Larger items should be covered with moving blankets or bubble wrap that has been taped in place to prevent movement.

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If you’re packing and moving your fridge, there are some steps you need to follow in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

• Turn off the refrigerator and empty it at least 48 hours before it has to be packed. This will melt any ice residues left inside, as well as dissipate any lingering odors (keep the door open to accelerate the process).
• For persistent odors, place an open box of baking soda inside the fridge. Clean with warm water and dish soap.
• Remove any lose parts such as drawers and shelves. Wrap those pieces with bubble wrap and pack them securely into a cardboard box.
• Secure the door with moving supplies such as stretch wrap, packing tape or tie a cord around the fridge to prevent the door from moving and banging. Electrical cords should be taped against the back of the fridge.
• Wrap the refrigerator with moving blankets to prevent scratches and chips.
• Use a heavy-duty dolly to move the fridge or leave it to professional movers. It will not only save you from back pain, but will also ensure that the fridge remains in top shape.
• Because fridges should be transported vertically (to prevent compressor oil from damaging the coils), it’s important that the item is secured inside the truck using ropes or being placed in between other heavy-duty items. Shifting can cause damage not only to the refrigerator but also to the moving boxes and furniture around it.

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