Moving is both an exciting and lengthy process, and it takes a significant amount of planning. To make your transition as smooth as possible, it’s a good idea to map out the tasks, storage, and packing you’ll need to take care of. The following guide outlines how the weeks preceding your move should look.

A Packing Timeline for Moving

6 to 7 Weeks

About six weeks before the moving date, you should go out and collect your packing materials. These will include plenty of boxes, packing tape, padding materials, plastic wrap for furniture storage, and markers. Consider renting a dolly to make transporting heavy boxes and furniture easier.

5 Weeks

Most movers want a fresh start in their new home. Before you begin packing, start getting rid of belongings you know you won’t be taking with you. Have a garage sale to clear out junk and unwanted items, or donate gently-used items to local charities. Toss anything worn-out, broken, or hazardous. Downsizing will make the packing process more manageable.

3 to 4 Weeks

At this stage, you’ll be packing away all of the items you won’t immediately need. Seasonal decorations, off-season clothing, furniture, books, games, movies, spare bedding and towel sets, collectible items, and specialized equipment should be boxed up and visibly marked until moving day. If you want them out of the way while you finish packing, put them in a storage facility.

2 Weeks

After non-essential items, many homeowners have trouble prioritizing the rest of their belongings. Just remember that two weeks will go by faster than you might think. Anything you won’t need before you move should go into storage. Keep a few sets of clothes, essential cooking equipment, a set of dinnerware and towels for each member of the household, toiletries, and two weeks’ worth of pet supplies.

Final Week

With just one week to go, it’s time to pick up the pace and finish your packing. At this point, you should only have daily use items left. Make sure you have enough boxes for the rest of your belongings. Continue packing little by little up to moving day, where you will want to keep a box for miscellaneous last-minute items. Double-check every corner and closet to make sure you’re all set to move.

Keep your packing areas organized with storage space from Stronghold Self-Storage. Serving Cincinnati, OH, and the Tri-State Area, this facility provides secure storage solutions for your belongings. With moving supplies, clean facilities, month-to-month rentals, online payments, free moving truck use, and a variety of unit sizes, they offer convenience in times of hectic transitions. Learn more about their units online. Call (513) 752-7772 to discuss your needs with a friendly staff member.