Printable Packing Checklist for Moving

6-8 weeks out: declutter first — donate, sell, or toss what you’re not taking, since it’s pointless to pack and haul things you don’t want anymore. Once that’s done, start boxing up what you won’t need before moving day: out-of-season clothing, spare bedding, decor, books, and any kitchen gear you don’t use on a weekly basis.

2-4 weeks out: pack most of the house. Work through it room by room rather than jumping around, and leave out only what you genuinely use daily. This is also the point to double-check that you have enough boxes and supplies on hand — running the numbers through a calculator now still leaves time to order more before it becomes a last-minute scramble.

Moving week: pack an essentials box first — toiletries, chargers, medications, a few days of clothes, and basic kitchen items — and set it aside so it’s the last thing loaded and the first thing off the truck. Then finish packing everything else that’s left, room by room, until the house is empty.

Kitchen: dishes and cookware are dense and heavy, so use small or medium boxes rather than large ones — a large box of kitchenware is nearly impossible to carry safely. Wrap dishes individually or use dish boxes with dividers if you have them, and pack a separate “open first” box with a few plates, cups, and utensils so you’re not tearing into everything just to eat dinner that first night.

Bedroom & closets: use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes worth keeping on hangers, and fold the rest into medium boxes. Pack out-of-season clothing first since you won’t miss it in the meantime, and leave your everyday drawers for the final days before the move.

Living room: pack pillows, throws, and other bulky lightweight items in large boxes, where they won’t add much weight. Photograph cable setups behind the TV or stereo before disconnecting anything, so reconnecting is a five-minute job instead of a guessing game, and wrap artwork or mirrors in picture boxes or moving blankets rather than regular boxes.

Bathroom: pack this room last since it stays in use right up to moving day. Use small boxes, bag liquids separately in case something leaks in transit, and keep one bag of daily toiletries out of the boxes entirely until the morning of the move.

Garage & storage: this is the area people most often underestimate, so start early rather than leaving it for the last weekend. Group items by category — tools, seasonal decor, sports gear — instead of boxing whatever’s closest, and plan to dispose of hazardous materials like paint, propane, or old chemicals rather than loading them onto a moving truck.