Some of the most frustrating and funniest stories in life come from moving failures. However, those mistakes and flops don't have to be yours. Find out how to pack boxes for a move so that you have a simple, stress-free Moving Day.

Packing Fail #1: You can’t lift your boxes because they are too heavy.

Keeping weight in mind, choose the right size box for the right items. Fill small boxes with heavy items and large boxes with light items. For example, use small boxes to pack your books and large boxes to pack your clothes, bedding, or other light items. Even for short-distance moving, mix and match items in your containers to keep your boxes an appropriate lifting weight for your moving crew.

Packing Fail #2: Your boxes are not stacking nicely, adding time and cost to your move.

When looking at how to pack boxes for a move, remember that moving a stack of boxes with a dolly as opposed to one or two at a time, will save you time, money, and possibly injury. It will also save wear and tear on your boxes and belongings. Here are three ways to pack items so your boxes stack evenly.

1. No bulges! Pack boxes without anything bulging out. Suppose there is a bulge in the middle of your box top because you stuffed in an extra sweatshirt. That little hump will make the stack unsteady, perhaps even toppling a few boxes. And while a sweatshirt will not be damaged by bulging out, other items such as dishes or glasses, will be damaged if they are causing a bulge.

2. Fill the box! If a box is not completely filled, it will collapse in a stack and make the stack unstable. Add packing material like packing paper or bubble wrap to fill a box and help it to keep its shape throughout the move.

3. Don’t pack a box so that it can’t be sealed shut. Sometimes people gather tall items, such as rakes, brooms, and shovels, into an open-ended box for transport. There are better, safer ways to handle these uniquely shaped items. Sometimes they can be taped or rubber-banded together, or a moving pad is used to put them into a moving bundle that can be safely and easily handled. If you’re not sure how to pack an item, call your professional moving crew in advance for help. They would be happy to help you prepare for Moving Day! But by the time they arrive, every box should be sealed.

Packing Fail #3: You didn't finish packing in time for Moving Day.

How you prepare to pack your boxes for a move will make all the difference for Moving Day readiness. Unless you have hired a professional packing crew, your boxes should all be sealed and ready to be loaded into your moving van by the time the movers arrive. All your pictures, artwork, and mirrors should be removed from the walls and packed into boxes. All your cabinets should be empty. Here are three ideas to help you finish packing on time.

1. Declutter and get rid of items you no longer need to simplify your move and the number of boxes you have to transport.

2. Plan early and start packing as soon as you can.

3. Seal your boxes! This step is frequently skipped, and it is vital! Those boxes cannot be loaded until they are sealed, and sealing them all on Moving Day will add time and therefore money to your moving bill. Get all of your boxes ready, sealed, and labeled before your crew arrives.

Packing Fail #4: My belongings broke during the move.

Bummer doesn't even start to express the disappointment you feel when you open a box after a long move to find that something got damaged. When learning how to pack boxes for your move, use these ideas to ensure your boxes and belongings stay clear of possible damage.

1. Always use enough packaging material. Usually boxed items are damaged in transport because there wasn’t enough packing material used. Line the box with packing paper or bubble wrap and then wrap each fragile item with packing paper or bubble wrap as well. Your moving company will have specific packing supplies to help properly store your valuables.

2. Fill in all the gaps in your boxes with other soft items or packaging supplies.

3. As you are packing dishes into boxes for your move, wrap them individually and stack them vertically. This hack prevents your dishes from sliding and chipping edges.

4. Take books directly off the shelf and put them in boxes. The binding of the books bears the weight of the pages, so pack books upright. When you stack books on top of one another, you risk them sliding around and loosening the binding.

Camelot Moving & Storage Can Help

Camelot Moving & Storage is a versatile company that can help people pack, move, and store belongings. If you want help with packing your boxes so you don't fall into a moving fail story, contact our team of experts to help you. Whether you hire our professional packers or follow our packing for a move hacks, you will have an easy Moving Day.