There are many ways to prepare for a move but to avoid stress you’ll want to moving boxes with an organized, comprehensive system. By creating a system that works for you and your family, you can make your move much smoother.
While all this box stuff may not seem very exciting, it has to be done. After a long move, the last thing you want to be doing, is rumbling through boxes looking for that one thing you need.
Labeling is a great way to keep track of the items you are packing before your move and it also allows you to easily find the right one at a glance. Proper labeling can help you keep up with all your boxes and unpack easily, hence making your move hassle-free.
Following are some guidelines to label the moving boxes the right way:
Choose the Right Labeling Tools
Before you start labeling, you need to gather the right tools. Some of the things required include:
- High Quality Markers – not the ones that can easily get smudged or erased.
- Colored Tape – to further improve the labeling.
- Sticky Notes and Labels – You can put them on the moving boxes.
All these labeling tools are important to the process and will serve you well in properly labeling your boxes for moving. Be sure to get a couple of waterproof permanent markers to ensure that you will do a good job. You can get the supplies for labels from local bookstore or home improvement store. You can also acquire these labeling tools from your movers, if you as ahead.
Use Color-Coding System
A color-coding system is a popular ideal for labeling moving boxes. If you ask your movers for advice, they will tell you the same. Color-coding is one of the most commonly used and easiest ways to properly label moving boxes.
You can use packing tape or use different colorful markers, the choice is yours. It is recommended that you color-code your moving boxes by room. For instance, everything that goes into the kitchen will be labeled green. Be sure to make the colors different, striking, and bright for an easier recognition later on.
You can also use colorful stickers to make the entire process much more fun. If you have children, then don’t be afraid to borrow some of their fun colors. Just make sure that those stickers cannot fall off easily.
Priority Labeling and Sorting
The priority labeling strategy will make a huge difference in organizing your moving boxes. Once you have color-coded your boxes according to each room and placed sticker labels on them, it is time to prioritize them.
Simply put a large L for low priority, M for medium priority, and H for high priority. In this way, you can use the labeling to quickly identify which boxes should go on the truck first and which should be unloaded the last.
Priority labeling is also a great way to indicate which boxes contain important items for everyday use and should thus be unpacked first. No matter how you use it, priority labeling and sorting will surely organize your moving boxes and make your move less stressful.
Use Numbers
Creating a numbering system can prove to be really beneficial, especially if you are a really well-organized person. It may take a while to label all your moving boxes using numbers, but in the end, every box will be at the right place.
The easiest way to use the numbering method is to first start with an inventory list and label all your boxes with numbers according to the inventory. In this way, you will know if the bathroom should have a total of 3 boxes labeled as number 5. If you use numbers to label your boxes, then it is highly recommended that you share your inventory list with your moving company as well.
Label Moving Boxes on All Sides
If you have your marker ready, its time to start writing, BIG. Clearly labeling all your boxes on all sides is one of the most important things because it will help you a lot once you arrive at your new house. Your moving crew will also be able to clearly read your labels when unloading your moving boxes.
Thanks to your labeling on all sides of the boxes, they will be able to unload them easily without rotating them multiple times in order to find the label. Furthermore, you can avoid any damage to your fragile items by clearly marking their boxes. For example, start labeling by room and then move on to label which boxes may be fragile or need special instruction. The first thing movers need to know is, how to remove the item from the truck and secondly where the box is going.
Get Descriptive with Your Labeling
Don’t just write “Kitchen” on a moving box. Write down the contents of the box, the room it belongs to, as well as if it contains fragile items that should be handled carefully. For instance, if it is a box that contains your kitchen items, simply write the word “Kitchen” on it in your selected color. If it contains dishes and glassware, write “plates and glassware” on the label as well. Next, write “Please Be Careful” or “Fragile” below the contents.
You will most likely have several moving boxes containing items from your kitchen. If you label the boxes correctly from the start, it will be easier to identify the boxes of, let’s say, pans and pots.
Mask the Labels on Old Boxes
If you are using old boxes, then it is likely that they already have labels. To avoid confusion, it is recommended that you use colored tape or paper to mask the old labels or stickers.
Alternatively, you can simply tape your labels over the old ones to make sure that the only visible label is the one you put yourself on the moving box. Masking the old labels is particularly important if you are using professional movers. Clear labels will ensure that the movers place the boxes in the right rooms without any confusion.
Executing a successful move requires a lot of planning and organization. Failure to plan can make the entire relocation process a time-consuming, stressful, and disorganized.
Packing is one of the most critical elements of a move and you can make it more manageable and easier by labeling the boxes appropriately. Following the above-listed guidelines will help you in this regard and ensure that the packing and unpacking process is much easier.
