The general rule for packing order is simple: start with what you use least, and finish with what you use every day. Working through your home in that order, rather than room by room at random, keeps daily life manageable right up until moving day.
6 Weeks Before: Start With Storage and Rarely Used Items
- Loft, garage, and shed contents that aren’t needed day to day
- Seasonal items, such as Christmas decorations or out-of-season clothing
- Spare room contents and items in long-term storage boxes
- Books, DVDs, and other media you’re not actively using
4 Weeks Before: Move to Less-Used Rooms and Items
- Guest bedroom furniture and bedding
- Ornaments, artwork, and display items you can live without for a few weeks
- Out-of-season clothing and shoes
- Non-essential kitchen items, such as spare crockery, appliances you rarely use, and bakeware
2 Weeks Before: Pack Most of the House
- Living room items, keeping out only what you’ll need for the final fortnight
- Most clothing, leaving out a week or two’s worth of essentials
- Bathroom items you don’t use daily, such as spare towels and toiletries
- Children’s toys, keeping back a small selection of favourites
Final Week: Pack an Essentials Box and the Last Everyday Items
- Pack a clearly labelled essentials box with toiletries, medication, chargers, important documents, and a change of clothes for each family member
- Leave out only what you genuinely need for daily life: a few outfits, basic kitchen items, and bedding
- Pack remaining kitchen items last, since this room tends to be used right up until the final day
- Keep valuables, paperwork, and anything irreplaceable together and transport these yourself rather than putting them on the removal van
Moving Day
- Strip beds and pack bedding last, after everything else is loaded
- Do a final walkthrough of every room, including lofts, garages, and outdoor storage
- Keep your essentials box and important documents with you rather than loading them onto the van
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack first when moving house?
Start with items you use least: loft and garage contents, seasonal items, and spare room belongings. Work toward everyday essentials last, finishing with the kitchen and bedding on moving day itself.
How many weeks before moving should I start packing?
Starting around 6 weeks before moving day is a comfortable timeline for most homes, beginning with storage and rarely used items and working toward daily essentials in the final week.
What should go in a moving day essentials box?
Toiletries, medication, phone chargers, important documents, and a change of clothes for each family member. Keep this box with you rather than loading it onto the removal van.
Should I pack the kitchen first or last?
Last, aside from rarely used items like spare crockery or appliances you don’t use daily. The kitchen tends to be needed right up until moving day, so pack the bulk of it in the final day or two.
Get Packing Support for Your Move
Shaheen Express Removals offers full and partial packing services across St Albans, Luton and Hertfordshire.
For a specific packing method, see our guide to the 3-5-7 rule in packing.