How to Pack for a Move Fast and Without Breakages

Packing is the part of moving that takes longest and causes the most damage, usually because it is done in a rush with the wrong boxes. This guide is for anyone packing up a home, whether you have weeks or only a few days. You will learn which materials are worth buying, a fast room-by-room order, how to wrap plates, glasses, electronics and awkward items so they arrive in one piece, and a labelling system that makes unpacking quick. General information, not professional advice: check your removal firm's rules and insurance terms before you pack.

Get the right materials first

Running out of tape or boxes halfway through is the biggest cause of slow packing. Get everything together before you start, and buy a little more than you think you need. Strong, matching boxes stack better in a van, which means less shifting and fewer breakages.

As a rough guide, count your bookshelves, cupboards and wardrobes and estimate how many medium boxes each would fill, then add about a fifth for things you forget. Removal firms will often estimate box numbers for you when they survey your home, and some sell or lend boxes as part of the service. It is easier to return or pass on a few unused boxes than to make an emergency trip on the last night.

Towels, tea towels, socks and soft clothing are excellent free padding. Using them saves money and space, because you are packing them anyway. Avoid using them for anything sharp or messy.

Pack in the right order

The fastest packers work from least used to most used. That way you can live normally until the last few days, and nothing you need is buried in a box.

1. Lofts, sheds and storage first These areas are full of things you rarely need. Sorting them early also shows how much you have and whether you need more boxes.
2. Spare rooms and decorative items Pack books, pictures, ornaments, out-of-season clothes and anything on display.
3. Most of the kitchen Leave out a minimal set: one plate, bowl, mug and set of cutlery per person, a pan and a few basics. Pack the rest.
4. Bedrooms and living room Pack everything except what you need in the final days. Keep a bag for each person with clothes and toiletries.
5. Bathroom and essentials last On the last day pack the bathroom, bedding and the essentials box, which travels with you.

Before you pack each room, do a quick final declutter. It is far quicker to drop an item in a donate bag now than to wrap it, move it and decide at the other end that you do not want it. Keep a donate box and a bin bag open in every room you are packing.