A Simple Room by Room Packing Checklist
Moving is overwhelming and it can be hard to keep up with all you need to do! I made this little room by room packing checklist to help keep me organized, and I’m sharing it with you today!
We are moving in just a few short weeks and let me tell you, I forgot how absolutely stressful and overwhelming packing for a move is. What do you mean, I’m supposed to pack up all of my belongings and all of the junk I’ve gathered in the last almost-6-years of living here and just MOVE IT? How?!
Thankfully, I’ve had a slooooooow ramp up to our actual move and it has really allowed me to take my time and process things slowly. I’ve been packing each room in phases, and it has taken a lot of the pressure off. Of course, it leaves me feeling a little confused. Have I finished packing that room yet? What’s left? Trying to hold it all in my head was getting to be too much, so I decided to make a checklist. I broke the house down into rooms and then broke each room down into the things that need to be packed in there. And then, to make it easier, I broke it down even further to things that can be be packed ASAP and things that you should save for later.
You’re welcome.
Quick Tips to Start Packing
Before we dive into the checklist, allow me to share a few of my top packing tips. I’ll have a full blog post coming later with all of my best tips and tricks, but these are the highlights to get you started.
Gather Your Supplies
You’ll (obviously) need to start by gathering up all of your moving supplies. At a minimum, you’ll need boxes, bubble wrap or another form of padding for fragile items, packing paper, and packing tape. See the rest of my recommended moving essentials right here!
Start With the Nonessentials
The easiest place to start is with the things you don’t use all that often! As early as 6 weeks from your move, you can start gathering up and packing things in each room that you can live without for a while. Once you get to 3-4 weeks to the move, you can move to packing the things you use more often.
Declutter As You Work!
You don’t want to bring a ton of junk you never use to your new home. As you go through the packing process, take the time to donate, sell, or trash anything that you don’t want to take with you. If you don’t use it and love it regularly, don’t put it on the moving truck! This will make the entire thing so much easier, and it’ll feel great to start fresh in a new house.
Use What You Have
Whenever possible, get creative with your packing! You can wrap glassware in kitchen towels, keep clothes in the dresser drawers, and use trash bags to pack your pack your hanging clothes. Hot take: I think wardrobe boxes are a waste of space and money!
Know Yourself
Some people swear by having an itemized list of what is in each box to making unpacking easier. Personally, I always unpack quickly enough that it doesn’t make a difference to me. As long as the box makes it to the right room, I’m good to go! You know yourself best, so ignore any tips that don’t fit in with your process.
Pay Attention to Box Sizes!
It can be tempting to grab a bunch of large cardboard boxes and use only those. They fit so much! But, it’s really wise to have boxes of various sizes when you’re packing. I much prefer to use a small box for things like our dishes, because they get so heavy so fast! If all you use are giant boxes, you may end up with some that break from the weight. I find medium-sized boxes are my favorite to use for most things!
Make a Plan for the In-Between
As you get closer to the move, you’ll find that a lot of things you use on the daily are packed. It helps to plan ahead for this! Grab some disposable dishes, set aside a few towels, and pack some clothing for the family to use in that last week.
Don’t Forget a Moving Day Box
And finally, a moving day box is KEY to make your life easier when you arrive at your new home. You’ll want to include things like toilet paper, a shower curtain, disposable plates, and bedding. No one wants to be digging through boxes on the first day in their new house trying to find their favorite pillow.
Room By Room Packing Checklist
Alright, now the fun part! I have a FREE printable room-by-room packing checklist for you to help you stay organized and keep track of your progress. You can click here to download it.
It’s not going to cover every single thing in every single house, but it does a good job of getting most things. There are also some blank lines for you to add your own items!
Here’s what it includes:
Living Room / Family Room
Pack Now:
- Wall art and decor
- Extra throw pillows/blankets
- Books & magazines
- Board games or puzzles not in use
Pack Later:
- Electronics + cables (label cords!)
- Remotes and chargers
- Daily-use blankets
- TV (if not mounted or needed)
Kitchen
Pack Now:
- Less-used dishes/appliances
- Extra mugs, glasses, dish sets
- Specialty tools
- Cookbooks
- Junk drawer contents
Pack Later:
- Everyday plates, bowls, silverware
- Pots & pans
- Coffee maker, toaster, or microwave
- Cleaning supplies
- Pantry essentials and snacks
- Trash can & liners
Bedrooms
Pack First:
- Off-season clothes/shoes
- Jewelry and accessories you don’t wear often
- Extra linens and blankets
- Decorative pillows
- Books and decor
Pack Later:
- Everyday clothing
- Toiletries
- Nightstand essentials
- Bedding (pack on moving day)
Kids’ Rooms
Pack First:
- Toys not in regular rotation
- Books they’ve outgrown or don’t use
- Off-season clothing
- Extra blankets or stuffed animals
Pack Later:
- Favorite toys or comfort items
- Nightlight/sound machine
- Daily clothing and shoes
Bathrooms
Pack First:
- Backstock shampoo, toiletries, etc.
- Styling tools you don’t use daily
- Cleaning caddies
- First aid duplicates or extras
Pack Later:
- Daily toiletries
- Medications
- Towels (keep 1 set per person)
- Shower curtain (pack in 1st night box)
Laundry Room
Pack First:
- Extra detergents, dryer sheets, cleaning extras
- Ironing board/steamer
Pack Later:
- Detergent and basics
- Baskets or hampers
Garage / Utility Spaces
Pack First:
- Seasonal items
- Extra paint cans or DIY supplies
- Tools you don’t regularly use
Pack Later:
- Daily-use tools (screwdriver, drill, tape)
- Lawn tools
Entryway / Hall Closets / Other Storage
Pack Later:
- Off-season coats
- Extra bags/purses/backpacks
- Overflow shoes
Pack Later:
- Keys, umbrella, shoes in rotation
- Any outgoing mail or paperwork
Again – if you want to download a printable version of this room by room packing checklist, just click here! It’s a great start that you can add to in order to help you stay organized as you work.
Packing Timeline
I think one of the most challenging parts of starting to pack for a move is figuring out when to begin. You often know well before the move that it’s happening, but it feels silly to start too soon. I put together a 6-week moving and packing schedule for myself a few moves ago, and I still reference it as I’m prepping for this move!
See the 6-week moving timeline here!
Final Tips & Thoughts
- A month or so before your move, start working your way through your freezer and pantry when planning dinners! If you do end up needing to move some food, be sure to use food storage bags to prevent leaks and spills.
- Make a quick list for yourself of all the things you really need on a daily basis. Things like utensils, your toothbrush, bedding, etc. These things should all be packed separately in a clearly labeled box that’s easy to open when you arrive in your new home!
- Don’t forget to fully clear out and clean the refrigerator a few days before the move. It’s a big job and you don’t want to be dealing with it in the middle of moving.
Other Posts You May Love
I’ve written a lot about moving over the years! If you’re prepping for a move and need some more help (or just love to read about moving), I’ve got you covered.