How to Pack Your Bedroom for Moving

Packing bedrooms for a move can be quite challenging due to the variety of items, both large and small. You'll need to pack up your bed frame, nightstands, dresser, mattress, and any other substantial pieces of furniture. Additionally, there are smaller belongings like clothing, decorations, bedding, and curtains that also need attention. Hence, starting with your bedroom packing is essential once you decide to move. Creating a game plan and breaking down the packing process into manageable tasks can make it feel more achievable. Check out are our top strategies on how to pack up your bedroom for moving efficiently.

Packing Materials You Will Need

First, ensure you have ample packing supplies before you start packing. You’ll need various items, including an assortment of moving boxes in different sizes:

• Small boxes (16 x 12 x 12) – ideal for books and other small, heavy items.
• Medium boxes (18 x 18 x 16) – suitable for packing clothes.
• Large boxes (18 x 18 x 24) – for larger clothing items and bedding.
• Wardrobe boxes – designed for hanging clothes but also useful for items like sporting equipment and lamp bases.
• Unprinted news wrap
• Ziploc or plastic bags (variety of sizes) – perfect for protecting special clothing and for packing bedding and drapery.
• Sealing/Packing tape
• Packing paper
• Marker labels
• Bubble wrap
• Blankets or furniture pads – essential for DIY moves. If you’re hiring residential movers, they will typically provide these.

Consider that the most crucial packing supplies for your bedroom will be moving boxes of various sizes, and you’ll need plenty of them. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to find. Many retail stores discard numerous boxes daily after receiving shipments. Instead of dumpster diving, you can ask store managers to save boxes for you. Most are happy to oblige, providing you with all the boxes you need for everything from books and jewelry to kitchen items.

Declutter Your Closet

Packing up your bedroom for moving offers a prime opportunity to sort through your belongings and discard items you no longer need, use, or want. This not only lightens your load but also simplifies the moving bedroom and unpacking process in your new home. Moreover, that’s a good chance to refresh your wardrobe, or even change your style!

To streamline the task, divide the room into zones and sort your items into categories:

• Things to keep
• Things to donate (or sell if they’re in excellent condition)
• Things to discard

Letting go of clothing can be difficult for many. Who hasn’t regretted tossing a cute but unworn top when it becomes trendy again? Some items are easy to discard, but for those you're unsure about, try them on to gauge how they make you feel. Let go of anything that:

• You haven’t worn them in ages and aren't reserved for special occasions.
• Shows undesirable wear and tear, like stains or fraying.
• Is damaged beyond repair or not worth the cost of fixing.
• You have in excess — do you really need 15 plain black t-shirts?
• No longer fits your style and can be easily replaced.
• No longer fits.

By decluttering your wardrobe and belongings now, you’ll make the moving process smoother and enjoy a more organized space in your new home.

Additional Tip: use this opportunity to get rid of broken or unused clothing hangers. Their awkward size and shape can make them difficult to pack, especially if they’re not uniform. Reducing the number of hangers you have will simplify packing and minimize clutter in your new home.

Labeling Is A Key

As you pack your bedroom, always remember to label everything during the packing process. Proper labeling ensures that all items end up in the right room in your new home, making unpacking much smoother. Here are some tips to help you:

• Use Clear Labels: Mark each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. For instance, "Master Bedroom – Bed Linens" or "Guest Bedroom – Books."
• Color Code: Consider using colored labels or markers to designate different rooms. This can help you and the movers quickly identify where each box should go.
• Indicate Fragility: Wrap fragile items generously in packing paper or bubble wrap. Clearly mark the box as "Fragile" on multiple sides to ensure careful handling.
• Special Instructions: If certain boxes need to be unpacked first or require special attention, such as “Open First” for essential items, make sure these instructions are visible.

Good labeling practices not only keep you organized but also prevent confusion and mishandling during the bedroom move. Properly labeled boxes help you find your essentials quickly and protect delicate items from damage during the move.

Pack Clothing and Linens

When packing clothing and linens for your move, start by deciding which clothes you will need during the bedroom move and for the first few days at your new home. Set these aside separately.

For the rest of your wardrobe, consider using wardrobe boxes. These come with a hanger bar that can hold approximately 2 feet of hanging space, making them ideal for transporting clothes without wrinkles. If you don't have wardrobe boxes or are okay with a few wrinkles, you can fold each piece of clothing after removing it from the hanger and pack them into medium or large-sized boxes.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for packing clothing and linens:

• Line Boxes: Always line the bottom of the box with packing paper. Avoid using newspapers as the ink may transfer onto your clothes.
• Hanging Clothes: If using wardrobe boxes, hang the clothes directly inside. If not, remove from hangers, fold neatly, and pack into larger boxes.
• Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents, such as "Bedroom – Winter Coats" or "Guest Room – Linens." This helps with efficient unpacking and ensures you can find what you need quickly.
• Avoid Overpacking: Make sure the boxes are not too heavy. It’s better to use more boxes that are lighter and easier to carry than fewer, heavier boxes.

Bedroom Décor

When packing up bedroom décor, consider how to pack chairs and handle various items to ensure they remain safe during the move:

Books:

• Current Reads: If you have a stack of books on your nightstand, you can choose to pack them either with your general book collection or alongside other bedroom items like photo frames and small décor pieces.
• Packing: Books should always be packed in small boxes to prevent them from becoming too heavy and difficult to move.

Mirrors:

• Glass Mirrors: These should be packed in special mirror cartons to avoid damage. Lighter mirrors can often be wrapped and packed securely, but heavier ones may need custom crating for added protection.
• Professional Help: If you’re hiring apartment movers, inquire if they offer custom crating services for heavier mirrors, as this will provide the best protection.

Artwork:

• Packing: Large pieces of artwork should be packed separately using specialty moving boxes designed for artwork. This will prevent them from getting damaged during the move.
• Labeling: Clearly mark these boxes as “Fragile” and indicate which side should be kept upright to avoid mishandling.

General Tips:

• Photo Frames & Trinkets: Small, delicate items like photo frames and trinkets should be wrapped in bubble wrap or packing paper and packed together in medium-sized boxes.
• Use Padding: Ensure that any gaps in the boxes are filled with padding materials like packing paper or bubble wrap to keep items from shifting and breaking.

Furniture

Disassembly

• Break Down Furniture: Disassemble furniture that can be taken apart, such as bed frames, tables, dining chairs, office chairs and shelving units. This not only makes it easier to move but also reduces the risk of damage.
• Label Hardware: Place screws, nuts, and bolts into a small, labeled bag and securely attach it to the corresponding piece of furniture. This keeps all necessary components together and simplifies reassembly.

Protection

• Surface Covering: Cover furniture surfaces with paper, shrink wrap, or bubble wrap to shield them from scratches and nicks. This is especially important for delicate finishes and surfaces prone to damage.
• Leg Protection: How to wrap chairs for moving? Wrap furniture legs with bubble wrap or use leg protectors. Whenever possible, attach the legs to the piece they belong to, securing them with tape or wrap to prevent them from getting lost or damaged.

Rugs

• Vacuum and Roll: Thoroughly vacuum rugs to remove dust and debris. Roll them up tightly and secure them with ropes or packing tape to prevent unrolling.
• Additional Wrapping: For added protection, cover rugs with stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap, or an old sheet. This helps keep them clean and protected from moisture and dirt.

Lamps

• Disassemble: Remove the lamp shade, light bulb, and, if possible, the harp (the wire frame around the bulb). This prevents damage to the delicate components.
• Wrap Components: Wrap the lamp base in bubble wrap and cushion it with packing materials to prevent shifting and damage inside the box. Place the lamp shade in a separate box, wrapped in paper or bubble wrap to protect it from being crushed or torn.

How To Move Flat Screen TV

Fragility and Care

• Handle With Caution: Modern TVs, especially flat screens, are highly susceptible to damage during a move. Their fragile screens can easily crack, and repairs often cost more than replacing the unit.

Disconnecting Devices

• Unplug Everything: Before packing your TV, disconnect all attached cords, including those for DVD players, gaming consoles, and other devices.
• Organize Cables: Place all cords and cables in a separate, clearly labeled bag. This makes rewiring your setup easier and reduces the risk of losing any connections.

Packing the TV

• Remove From Stand: Carefully detach the TV from its stand or wall mount.
• Wrap Securely: Protect the screen by wrapping the TV in bubble wrap and packing paper. This helps to shield it from scratches, cracks, and other potential damage.

Summary

• TVs are extremely fragile and should be handled with care during a move.
• Disconnect and organize all cables in a separate, labeled bag.
• Detach the TV from its stand and wrap it securely to protect the screen.

By taking these precautions, you can safeguard your TV and ensure it arrives at your new home in pristine condition.

Area Rugs

The days leading up to your move are ideal for getting those area rugs lifted and professionally cleaned. This way, they’ll come back to you all rolled up and ready to go straight onto the moving truck.

When loading your moving truck, save the rugs for last and place them at the back. That way, they’ll be the first things off the truck at your new place, ready to be laid down so you can bring in your furniture and set up your new space right away.

Make your move seamless and straightforward with Move4U's all-inclusive moving services. By taking care of everything from packing to unpacking, Move4U allows you to focus on starting your new chapter without the hassle.