What to Pack First When Moving: Tips & Checklist

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What to Pack First When Moving: 5 Things to Start With

Below is a breakdown of what to pack first. Work through it in order, and you'll be well ahead of schedule by the time moving week rolls around.

1. Seasonal Clothing & Off-Season Gear

Your winter coats, ski gear, summer dresses, or heavy boots can go straight into boxes. These items are some of the easiest to pack early because you're almost certain not to need them before you move. The same applies to specialty gear like camping equipment, sports gear used only a few times a year, or formal wear you rarely reach for.

When boxing up clothing, use wardrobe boxes for hanging items to keep them wrinkle-free, or fold and pack them flat in medium-sized boxes. Label each box by season and type so unpacking at the other end is just as easy.

2. Holiday Decorations & Rarely Used Décor

Holiday decorations are almost always safe to pack first, no matter what time of year you're moving. Christmas ornaments, Halloween props, Easter baskets, and similar items are used for a few weeks a year at most. Box them up early, and you'll free up a surprising amount of closet and storage space.

The same logic applies to decorative items around your home that aren't truly part of your daily life. These can be figurines, candles you don't burn, decorative trays, and themed table settings.

3. Books, DVDs, & Media Collections

Books are one of the best early-packing candidates and also one of the sneakiest sources of heavy boxes if you're not careful. Pack books in small boxes only, not large ones. A large box of books can easily exceed 40–50 lbs and becomes a risk to both your back and your belongings. 

DVDs, Blu-rays, vinyl records, and video games can go into medium boxes together, grouped however makes sense for how you'll want to find them later.

4. Storage Areas, Spare Rooms, & Closets

If your home has a spare room, a storage cupboard, or a garage corner that's been collecting things for years, start there. These spaces can be packed early because they're already holding items you don't use regularly. Linen closets with extra sets of sheets, utility rooms with surplus supplies, and spare bedrooms used mainly for storage are all fair game from week one.

Work through these spaces systematically. Pull everything out, sort it into keep, donate, or discard piles, then pack what's staying. 

5. Wall Art, Extra Lamps, & Display Items

Wall art, decorative mirrors, extra lamps, and display pieces can come down and get packed well before moving day. Extra lamps that aren't part of your daily lighting setup, decorative vases, sculptures, and tabletop displays can all be wrapped and boxed early. Remove lightbulbs from lamps before packing them, wrap the base in bubble wrap, and use the lampshade box separately to avoid crushing.

First Things to Pack for a Move: Checklist Summary Table

Other Tips for Packing for a Move

A few smart habits during the packing process can save you hours of frustration later, both during the move itself and when you're trying to get settled in your new home.

Don't Pack Daily Essentials Too Early

This is where most people go wrong. In the enthusiasm of early packing momentum, it's tempting to start boxing up everything in sight. But your everyday clothing, toiletries, kitchen essentials, and bedding need to stay accessible right up until the final days. 

A good rule of thumb: if you've used it in the last two weeks, leave it out until the last 48 hours before moving day.

Keep Documents, Medications, & Chargers Accessible

Important documents (passports, birth certificates, lease agreements, insurance papers) should never go into a moving box. Keep them in a dedicated folder or bag that travels with you personally, not in the moving truck. 

The same applies to prescription medications, phone and device chargers, and any valuables like jewelry. These items stay with you, always.

Label Essential Items

Every box should be labeled with both its contents and the room it belongs in. Go one step further and mark boxes that contain items you'll need in the first 24 hours with a bright sticker or the word OPEN FIRST. That way, when you arrive at your new home exhausted and just wanting to find your phone charger and a clean towel, you won't have to rip open ten boxes to find them.

Declutter as You Pack

Packing for a move is one of the best times to declutter items to let go of. 

Moving is one of the best chances you'll get to cut down on the things you own. As you work through each area, ask yourself questions like "Did I use this in the last year?" or "Would I buy it again today?" If the answer is no, it probably shouldn't make the move.

Set up a simple three-box system as you go: one for keeping, one for donating or selling, and one for trash. Even a light declutter usually cuts your box count more than you'd expect, which means lower moving costs and a faster setup in your new home.

Hire Professional Movers

Even if you handle most of the packing yourself, having professional movers take care of the heavy lifting on the day makes a huge difference. Moving large furniture, appliances, and a full truck's worth of boxes is physically demanding work, and the last thing you want after weeks of packing is to throw out your back on a staircase.

Pros also know how to load a truck, move bulky items through tight hallways, and protect your floors during the process.

Get Through Your Move Stress-Free with Got2Move

Got2Move can help you pack your things and handle your move. 

A clear order from week one turns moving day from a scramble into a series of steps you've already half-finished. Start with the items you won't miss in the weeks ahead, declutter as you go, and keep daily essentials accessible until the final 48 hours. If the packing itself feels like too much on top of everything else, Got2Move can take it off your plate. 

We offer full-house, partial, and fragile-only packing services across California, so you can hand off the entire job or just the items you'd rather not wrap yourself. From there, the same crew handles the loading, transport, and unloading, keeping your whole move under one roof. We've served California for nearly two decades with dedicated SF and LA crews and a 92% positive review rate across 500+ reviews. Call us at 855-936-4109 or get a free quote online and let us handle your move stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How far in advance should I start packing before a move?

Ideally, start packing six to eight weeks before your move date. If you have a large home or a lot of belongings, starting even earlier gives you more flexibility to declutter properly and pack without rushing.

Should I pack room by room or by item type?

A combination works best. In the early stages, pack by item type (all your books together, all your seasonal clothing together) since it helps you see the full volume of what you own. As moving day gets closer, switch to room-by-room for the spaces you actively use. 

What should I pack last when moving?

The last things to pack are the items you use every single day. This includes your bedding (pack it on the morning of moving day after you've slept in it one last time), daily toiletries like your toothbrush and shampoo, phone and laptop chargers, medications, important documents, and at least one set of everyday clothing. These items should either go into a clearly labeled OPEN FIRST box or travel with you personally in a bag you keep throughout the move.

Can I pack clothes in garbage bags instead of boxes?

Yes. Garbage bags work well for soft items like casual clothing, towels, and linens, especially if you're short on boxes or trying to move quickly. They're flexible, easy to carry, and won't crush soft contents. 

However, avoid using them for anything that wrinkles easily, like dress shirts or formal wear. Garbage bags are also not ideal for anything that needs protection from moisture or dust during transit. 

Does Got2Move offer packing services?

Yes. Got2Move offers professional packing services for clients who want expert help getting their belongings safely packed and ready to move. If you need full packing support from start to finish or just help with fragile or high-value items, our team can adjust our services to what you actually need.

*Note: Prices are approximate only and may vary based on factors like distance, weight, volume, home size, seasonality, and specific services requested. Final billing may also include additional charges such as fuel surcharges, stairs, long carries, or other service-related fees. For an exact, binding quote, please contact Got2Move directly.