Good packing prevents most moving damage and makes unpacking far easier. Work one room at a time.
Start with the least-used rooms
Begin with storage areas, guest rooms, and out-of-season items weeks ahead. Leave daily essentials — kitchen basics, bathroom, bedroom — for last.
Kitchen
Wrap dishes individually and pack them on edge, like records, in a sturdy box. Use dish-pack boxes for glassware. Seal and bag anything that can leak.
Bedrooms and closets
Use wardrobe boxes to move hanging clothes on their hangers. Vacuum bags shrink bedding and off-season clothing.
Living room and electronics
Photograph cable connections before unplugging. Pack electronics in their original boxes when possible, or wrap them well and mark the box fragile.
Fragile and high-value items
Use plenty of padding, fill empty space so nothing shifts, and consider custom crating for art, mirrors, and glass. Declare high-value articles to your mover.
Label everything
Mark each box with the room it belongs to and a short list of contents. Number boxes and keep a master list so you can spot anything missing at delivery.
What movers will not take
Do not pack hazardous or non-allowable items: gasoline, propane, paints, aerosols, ammunition, and similar flammables or corrosives. Empty and dispose of them before moving day.
Pack methodically, label clearly, and your delivery-day check against the inventory will go smoothly.