Moving somewhere new is always exciting, but packing is not. And when you’re doing a last-minute move, packing your whole place can seem like an impossible task. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t fret. With our packing tips, your last-minute move will go smoother than expected!

A woman writing a packing list in front of moving boxes while a man looks at list over her shoulder.

Even if you’re doing a last-minute move and you’re down to the wire, making a list will set you up for success.

Make a Packing and Moving List

Even if you’re doing a last-minute move and you’re down to the wire, making a list will set you up for success. Before throwing things in boxes, take a walk through your home or apartment to assess items you definitely want in your place. Make three lists to keep yourself organized: Pack, Donate, and Trash. List everything in your home and put it in one of those three lists. The key to success is to keep it rigid but realistic, so do the best you can.

Gather Supplies

It’s difficult to overlook this last-minute move tip, but you’d be surprised in the rush of it all what you can forget. Save yourself from wasting precious time and make sure you have all the supplies at the ready. Gather boxes in different sizes, packing tape, packing paper, bubble wraps, box cutters, markers, and labels. Get these things as soon as possible and then you’ll have easy access to them in the midst of the packing extravaganza.

Pack Room by Room

The thought of packing the entire house or apartment can be overwhelming, to say the least. So, make it easier on your mind by packing room-by-room. Instead of diving headfirst and running around your home packing things willy-nilly, focus on packing one room at a time. By doing this, you’ll greatly increase your productivity and get the job done faster. Want to take it a step further? Start in bigger rooms and end in smaller ones. Pack big communal spaces like living rooms first, then move to bedrooms and finish with bathrooms. Packing smaller rooms last will keep your motivation up (as you’ll finish them way faster), and this will make last-minute packing less stressful.

A woman packing a sweater into a cardboard moving box.

Don’t waste time meticulously folding clothing for your last-minute move.

Focus on Getting it Packed

When you’re running out of time for packing, it’s best to fight the urge to get precious. Now, you don’t want to blindly toss items into boxes and bags, but it’s also not the time to get extremely detailed about sorting or meticulously rolling each of your socks up for the move. You’ll have more time to unpack than pack, and time is of the essence now.

A helpful hack to get things packed faster is to leave clothes on the hangers. You can lay them flat in the trunk of a car or place them inside a trash bag with the hangers sticking out. Putting your new clothes in your closet will also be a snap when unpacking!

Ask for Help

Want to really speed up the packing process? Ask for help! Moving is a big task, so turn to family and friends for some helping hands. Your friends and family will help you stay on track and help prioritize things for you, as well as getting the job done faster. Plus, having buddies to help will take your mind off the stress of a last-minute move. Just don’t forget to show your appreciation by ordering food while they’re helping you pack or gifting them beer or freshly baked cookies after you’ve successfully moved into your new place.

Rent Self-Storage

Renting a self-storage unit can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to moving. As you finish one room, you (or one of your nice moving helpers!) can place those boxes in self-storage to keep things organized and allow you to continue packing without distractions. And if you’re moving into a smaller space, self-storage will allow you to keep things you might’ve otherwise had to get rid of.

If you’re looking for a self-storage unit in Post Falls, Bay Street Storage is your go-to storage provider. We have two convenient locations for you to choose from, and we’ve got all your storage needs covered. We’re here to make your storage experience as easy as possible. If you need any help, let us know!