Packing Tips

Oh! I can hardly contain my excitement over this move. I swear I keep repeating "I live here!!!!" over and over and over again in my head. But seriously, it feels like a dream. I've really wanted to live in NYC for a while now, but it's insane that it's actually happening.

The actual move was a little overwhelming, but my parents were a HUGE help. We did a lot of legwork before coming up here so that definitely helped speed things along. I already had my furniture picked out and I packed everything in a relatively organized manner.

I received quite a few emails asking for tips/advice on how to pack for a move. Whether you're moving to college or moving to a new city, packing is almost always a huge undertaking. It's important to remember that packing for each person is completely different. But here's what I suggest:

Since I was flying on a plane from Florida to NYC (and this was the case for all the times I moved to school in DC), I decided to pack boxes. Most airlines accept boxes in lieu of baggage. Check online for size and weight restrictions. For this particular move, I used 18x18x18 inch boxes. They fit a lot of things, but could still be carried by hand. AND, when filled, they were just under 50 pounds!

Before packing something, weigh the value of it. If it's particularly cumbersome, it may be worth it to purchase a new one in your final destination or have it shipped via a mail service. Ask yourself what you originally paid for it and what it's current value is. Shipping or transporting it might be more expensive than replacing it altogether!

Stuff nooks and crannies with small items. One of my biggest pet peeves with packing is leaving "air" (i.e. unfilled space) in the boxes. For example, I have to pack boots and shoes... and I also have to pack socks/tights. To get the most out of the limited space, I tucked socks into all of my shoes and boots. The added bonus for doing this is that the shoes don't get crushed in the boxes, and they maintain their shape!!!

Use vacuum bags (like Space Bags) for "fluffy" items. This includes pillows, towels, blankets, and some coats. I suggest using these sparingly for other types of clothes because it might make boxes TOO heavy for flying, or TOO expensive for shipping. They definitely make sense for the light items mentioned previously.

Be careful about labeling boxes. I definitely understand why you'd want to label a box and know what's inside, but it's kind of like advertising the contents. I would argue against labeling altogether, but if you really want to keep track of what's what, I suggest numbering the boxes (a good idea for ensuring you have them all before driving off) or adding letters. You can keep track of what you put in box A, for example, on a piece of paper or on an Excel spreadsheet. Even if you're moving into college, it's still not a good idea to label boxes/bags with content items. (An unattended box labeled "Printer + Television" might look really attractive to someone...)

If you are limited on space, whether it's in your car for the drive, the airplane during the flight, or even in the place you're moving into, consider packing only what you need... right now. When I packed for school, I'd first bring everything I needed for my room and the first couple months weather-wise for clothing. When things cooled off, my mom would ship a box of winter clothes up and I'd pack the same box with summer clothes and ship it home. This way, I maintained ample storage space AND lightened my load during the move.

Other quick tips:

Don't buy anything for the move until you're at your final destination. Places like Bed, Bath, & Beyond let you "register" items (just like a bridal registry) at your home location and pick up at the final destination location.

Lay everything out in one place before packing into boxes or bags. You can group things together better this way and fill space in a more efficient manner.

Do a "sweep" of your room to make sure you're not forgetting anything.

Start your packing list EARLY. A few weeks before the move, take notes of what products you use in the bathroom (to purchase once you're relocated), what shoes/clothes you wear the most, and the types of chargers and electronics you use regularly.

When you're moving, pack a duffle bag (I made it my "carry-on") with a few sets of outfits and shoes and beauty products as if you're going on vacation. This makes living during the few transition days a whole lot easier. You don't have to dig through boxes searching for a pair of socks or your favorite shirt.

What tips do you have???

xoxo

PS I haven't really done much decorating just yet, and of course I'll give a full tour when I'm completed, but here's a fun sneak peek at one of the walls in my apartment!

via Instagram