Packing storage containers can take practice. It can be tempting to throw everything into the nearest box and be done with it. But you will save on storage containers, stress, and backaches with just a little planning and organization. Here are our tips to help you pack the perfect storage container:
1. Organize Items and Pack Similar Together
The first rule of organization is to always place similar items together in storage. Throwing a bunch of random items together in a box will only leave you very confused when you unpack your items later.
Group similar items in piles before you pack, so they all get put in the same box together. Figure out the best way for your items to be categorized depending on what type and how much stuff you have to store.
Some organization ideas:
- Categorize by room: All kitchen items together for example
- Categorize by function: All coats together for example
- Categorize by owner: All of your daughter’s stuff together for example
2. Place Items Strategically
After you separate items into categories, your organization work is not done. From there you need to decide how you will organize items inside the box. Throwing items randomly into a box and sealing it shut will just not cut it. A good rule of thumb no matter what you are packing: Place heavier items in the bottom and lighter items towards the top.
Some questions to ask as you pack:
- Will a box or plastic bin be a better fit for this items?
- Can I fit any items inside other items to maximize storage space?
- How can I strategically store the most items in this container?
- How can I pack these items for ease of unpacking?
3. Wrap Fragile Items
Always give fragile items special consideration. To save money and time, you can gather old newspapers as packing material instead of going out to buy bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Or, if you happen to be moving towels or blankets along with other items, you can try using these as padding.
You’ll want to place a layer of packing material in the bottom of the container as a cushion as well as wrap each item individually. Also, make sure to carefully fill all extra space with packing material to avoid your items shifting in transit.
4. Watch the Weight Of the Container
Although your items might seem to weigh little individually, together the weight can add up! Be aware of this as you pack and occasionally lift your container to check that the weight isn’t too much. You don’t want to pull out your back from lift and moving a heavy container.
Be especially aware of this when packing boxes (vs. plastic bins) because these
can easily tear or become damaged from too much weight.
Books are an example of items that quickly advance the weight of a container. If you are packing books or other items that can become very heavy, be sure to choose smaller containers to pack them in.
5. Label the Container
Always remember to label the outside of the container with a marker or sticky note. This will make things incredibly easier later when you are looking for a specific item. This is another reason to categorize items before you pack. If you separate your belongings into similar groups, choosing a label for each containers will be easy. As suggested earlier, you can label by room (kitchen stuff), by function (coats), or by owner (daughter’s stuff).