The Ultimate Moving Essentials Checklist
  

Moving to a new home can be fun and challenging at the same time. There's a lot to do! Whether you're moving to a new town or moving states, planning is important. A moving essentials checklist helps you remember everything you need. This way, you won't forget anything important on moving day. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through our moving essentials list. We'll discuss what to do before you move, what to pack, and tips for moving day. With this moving packing list, you'll be ready for the big day. 

Preparing For Your Move
Moving Essentials: Room-By-Room Checklist
Moving Day Tips
Ensure Moving Is a Breeze

Preparing For Your Move

Before you start packing boxes, here are some important things you'll need to do:

Get packing supplies: Buy packing essentials for moving, such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, paper, and markers. These will help you pack and stay organized while you do it. 
Clean and declutter: Take a hard look at your belongings. Decide what to keep, give away, or sell. This will give you less to pack, making the entire process much easier and faster. 
Decide what to put into storage: Consider what you might need to put in storage. These can be items you don't use regularly, such as seasonal clothing or furniture that won't fit in your new home. 
Set up services: Ask to have your power, water, and internet turned off at your old home and turned on at your new one. 
Find movers: If you want help moving, find a good moving company early. 

Moving Essentials: Room-By-Room Checklist 

Now, let's look at what to pack in each room. This packing and moving checklist will help you remember what you need. 

Living Room

Furniture (couches, chairs, and tables): These big items are the heart of your living room. When wrapping and protecting furniture, use blankets or plastic wrap to prevent scratches. This keeps your furniture looking nice in your new home.
TV and game systems: Entertainment is important! Pack these carefully in their original boxes if you have them.
Pictures, photo frames, and vases: These make your house feel like home. Wrap them in soft paper to keep them safe.
Lamps: Good lighting is key. Don't forget to pack the lightbulbs separately.
Curtains: These provide privacy and make rooms feel cozy. Take them down and fold them neatly. You can pack them with clothing or use them to pad boxes for fragile items.
Books and bookshelves: Books are heavy, so pack them in small boxes. Take apart bookshelves if you can.

Kitchen

Plates, cups, and glasses: Wrap each one in paper. Put heavy items at the bottom of the box and light ones on top.
Pots, pans, and cooking tools: Stack pots and pans together. Wrap sharp tools in thick paper or cloth.
Small appliances: Pack kitchen essentials in their original boxes if you have them. 
Food that won't go bad: Check expiration dates. Only take food that will last until you unpack.
Dish towels and cleaning supplies: These help keep your new kitchen clean. You can also use them to wrap breakable items.
Trash bags and paper towels: You'll need these right away in your new home, so it's better to have them on hand instead of taking a trip to the convenience store during your move.
Tools to put furniture together: Keep these handy. You might need to take apart and put together furniture.

Bedroom

Bed sheets, pillows, and blankets: Pack these in clear plastic bags so you can find them easily on the first night.
Clothes and hangers: Packing clothes for a move can be hard. Use special boxes for hanging clothes or put larger items in vacuum-sealed bags you can flatten to save space. 
Dresser and bedside tables: Empty these before moving. You can use dresser drawers to pack light items.
Jewelry and special items: Keep these with you. Don't pack them in moving boxes. Instead, put them in a jewelry box or special bag. 

Bathroom

Toothbrush, soap, and medicine: Pack a separate bag with items you'll need right away. Keep medication with you.
Shower curtain and bath mat: You'll want to set these up quickly in your new bathroom.
Towels and washcloths: Pack enough for everyone for the first few days.
First aid kit: Keep this handy in case of any accidents during the move.
Toilet paper and tissues: You don't want to forget these! Bring at least one toilet paper roll to get you through moving day.
Cleaning supplies: You might want to clean before unpacking. Pack these where you can find them easily.

Miscellaneous

Important documents: Keep these with you, and not in moving boxes. You can keep these together in a folder so they don't get crumpled during the move. 
Pet supplies (food, leashes, beds, and toys): Don't forget about your furry friends! They need their things, too.
Backyard items (lawn tools and patio chairs): Clean these before packing. They might be dirty. Then, you can pack them away in a box. 
Sports equipment: Pack balls, bats, and other gear safely so they don't damage other items.
Emergency kit: Keep this handy in case of power outages or other surprises.

Moving Day Tips

If you want to know how to move without stress, the one tip we can give you is to be well-prepared. If you follow these tips and your moving essentials checklist, you'll be ready for anything:

Label everything: Write what's inside each box and which room it goes in.
Keep important items with you: Carry important papers and special items yourself.
Take large furniture apart: If you can, take apart big furniture to make it easier to move.
Check everything: Look around your old home one last time to make sure you didn't forget anything.
Use your checklist: Mark items off your moving packing list as you pack them.

Ensure Moving Is a Breeze

Moving doesn't have to be complicated. Remember, the best way to move is to plan well. Breaking your moving essentials list into small tasks and doing them one at a time will reduce stress.

When moving, you might discover items you don't necessarily use every day but still want to keep. If you need a place to store items that don't fit in your new home, or if you want to store belongings you don't always use, Key Storage has safe storage solutions near you. Browse our available storage units today.