Start with a packing plan
Begin packing 2–3 weeks before moving day. Start with rooms and items you use least — loft, spare room, books, ornaments, out-of-season clothes. Leave everyday essentials (kettle, toiletries, phone chargers, bedding) until last. Pack one room at a time and keep items from the same room together. Decluttering before you start packing will make this much easier.
Use the right materials
Use strong, double-walled cardboard boxes for heavy items like books. Wardrobe boxes keep clothes on hangers. Bubble wrap and packing paper protect fragile items — newspaper works but can leave ink stains. Use plenty of tape to seal boxes securely on the bottom. You can buy packing materials from removal companies, or get free boxes from supermarkets and local shops.
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Wrap each fragile item individually in bubble wrap or packing paper. Stand plates on their edges (like records) rather than flat — they're much less likely to break. Fill gaps in boxes with scrunched-up paper or clothing. Mark fragile boxes clearly on multiple sides and on top.
Label everything clearly
Label every box on the top and at least two sides with the room it belongs to and a brief description of contents. Use a colour-coded system (coloured stickers or markers) for each room. Number your boxes and keep a simple inventory list on your phone. This makes unpacking dramatically easier and helps your removal team know where to put things.