Updated: How to Pack Quickly for a Move | Billy Goat Moving - Billy Goat Moving

Packing in a Hurry

December 13, 2016 Billy Goat Moving

Updated 4/25/22

Imagine this, it’s the night before you leave for a trip and you’re running around the house trying to find clean clothes—or do laundry—and stuffing your suitcase. At that moment, there’s a lot of packing anxiety hitting you all at once. Moving to a new apartment or home amplifies that anxiety tenfold, and if that move is on short notice, you might as well throw the Packing Anxiety meter away! At Billy Goat Moving, we’re the G.O.A.T. of packing and moving—especially those short-notice moves. If you want to handle it yourself, however, here are a few tips on how to pack quickly for a move.

DON’T PANIC

The first, and perhaps the most important step when packing in a hurry is “don’t panic.” It can seem overwhelming to pack an entire house in a few days, but you can get it done with a calm and rational mindset. You know when moving day is, and with a reasonable and positive outlook, you can get everything done. Work backward from your moving day and figure out how much time you can devote each day to packing. Prepare by gathering packing materials and start with one box. Soon that one box will become several boxes. Speaking of which…

TAKE STOCK

When packing in a hurry, there is a high likelihood that you’ll forget or misplace some of your belongings. Take a few moments to create a to-do list or moving spreadsheet, and take stock of all your important belongings. You will be able to see what you have to pack in the limited time you have. Also, keep track of the important stuff; don’t get too granular in this list, that’s not how to pack quickly for a move. Start with the important items. That second spatula or random odds and ends are easier to replace than lost medical records or family heirlooms.

PACK A FIRST NIGHT BOX

One of the best things to do when moving is pack a first-night box. Put a few changes of clothes, toiletries, medications, and other necessary items into a single box or bag. You may not be able to unpack right away when you arrive at your new residence. A first-night box ensures you will at least have a few comforts and necessities while you sort out the rest.

USE TOWELS AND CLOTHES AS PADDING

Don’t try to fit all your clothes, linens, and bedding into boxes and suitcases. Instead, use towels and clothes as padding for dishes, chinaware, and other breakables. Boxes with heavy items often have a lot of unused space. A few towels or shirts won’t add much weight, but they will provide protection for fragile objects. This also cuts down on the number of boxes and saves money on bubble wrap!

LABEL EVERYTHING

When packing in a hurry, don’t put organization to the wayside. Not labeling boxes may seem like a time-saver, but you’re only creating more work for later. Keep a black permanent marker handy while packing. You can easily write on each box as it’s filled, and when you reach your new house, you’ll know exactly what’s in each one. Instead of being unable to find towels or dishes, you can find the box you need and put it in the right room.

PACK BY ROOM, NOT BY ITEM

A key rule for packing is to keep similar items together. For example, you might want your electronics in one box, or all glassware in another. When packing quickly for a move though, take a different approach. Sorting your belongings by room is much faster than sorting by item. Label boxes like “Bedroom”, “Office”, “Kitchen”. Pack those belongings in the corresponding box. This process isn’t as organized as packing similar items together, but it is much quicker. When the clock is against you, you need all the time you can get.

TRUST THE EXPERTS

Once you’re packed, the rest of the moving process can begin. Packing quickly for a move is stressful. Hiring a professional moving company like Billy Goat Moving can help ease some of the stress. We’re fast, safe, and efficient when packing belongings—you’ll have everything in your new place when you need it.