How to Pack for a Move

Let’s look at a few general packing tips to get started, then break it down by room or specific item.

• Start packing early. To make the job manageable, begin boxing up the items you use less frequently—like books, knickknacks, or seasonal items—a few weeks before your move date. Save everyday use items until the end.
• Prepare your boxes for moving. Reinforce the bottom of every box with packing tape, then line the box with crushed packing paper for extra cushion. Use more paper as ‘filler’ to eliminate empty spaces.
• Make the most of each box. The less space your items have to move around in the box, the lower the chance of damage, so pack as much as you can into each box. This will also make loading easier—uniform boxes stack much better than odd-shaped items that aren’t boxed up.
• Label boxes well. Pack each room in separate boxes and clearly mark the box with the contents and what room it’s destined for.
• Pack heavy items in small boxes. Overweight boxes are difficult to lift, and could cause injury. Keep the weight of the boxes at a manageable level with this technique (especially helpful when you’re packing books).
• Leave light-weight linens and clothing in their drawers. This is a big time (and space) saver!
• Pack extra linens or pillows in large kitchen trash bags. Then use the bags as cushions or fillers as you load.
• Disassemble as many items as you can. Remove feet or legs from furniture, take lampshades off of the base, etc. This makes it much easier to load your items into the moving container.
• Pack valuables and essentials separately. Jewelry, medications, daily toiletries and important documents are items we recommend that you keep with you during the move.

SOURCE: http://www.upack.com/moving-resources/packing-tips.asp