Every successful move begins with planning and the more you have completed before the move day, the more relaxed you’ll feel when you do move.
Pack on a room-by-room basis. That is, don’t pack articles from the living room in boxes with articles from the kitchen. This will save much confusion later when it’s time to unpack. If possible, start packing early. Remember, if you were to pack only a couple of boxes a day, in thirty days you would have sixty boxes packed. You could start in areas where the goods are not in frequent use – such as the cellar, attic, garage, closet shelves, etc.
Dresser drawers need to be empty. Movers usually do not move chests of drawers with the contents of drawers left intact. Too much weight in the drawer could cause damage to the drawer during the actual move.
What size boxes should you use? Generally the small, heavy articles, such as books, records, canned goods, etc., would go in smaller boxes. Bulkier, but not-so-heavy articles, such as pots and pans, linens, small kitchen appliances, etc., would go in somewhat larger boxes. Very bulky, lightweight articles, such as blankets, pillows, toys, large lampshades, shoes, etc., would go in the largest boxes.
Do not pack for moving any flammables, combustibles, or explosives. The safety of the shipment is the primary concern. Movers are not supposed to transport aerosol spray cans, paint thinner, gasoline, or anything else of a flammable or explosive nature.