Pack Smart 7 to Start With and 7 to Leave for Last

Getting ready for your move and doing your own packing? You want to pack smart not pack mess.
In this post, we’ll share our best tips for how to strategize your packing, what to pack first, what to pack last, and what shouldn’t go on the moving truck at all.

Pack Smart For Your Moving

At Vancouver In The Box, we pack homes every single day. We do a thorough estimate for every client. That means opening every cupboard and closet to create a detailed list of how many boxes (and what kinds) are needed for your specific home.
After nearly two decades in the business, we’ve learned that no two homes are the same. We’ve seen one-bedroom apartments with just 30 boxes, and others with 130! Every home and family is different and you may be moving five minutes down the road, from building to building in Yaletown or Olympic village in Vancouver or five hours away to Kelowna for example, but one thing is always true: everything needs to be packed safely.

Pack Smart Step One: Decluttering

Before you start packing, always declutter. The goal is to take only the things you want in your new home, and avoid opening boxes filled with stuff you didn’t really need anymore.
Luckily, here in Metro Vancouver, there are plenty of ways to donate or recycle unwanted items. Remember, one person’s clutter can be another’s treasure! Donating is not only helpful and satisfying, it’s also environmentally friendly
Decluttering takes time and mental energy, so start early. Some people prefer to pack as they declutter, and that can work well when you organize by category. For example, going through all your books at once. Once you’ve sorted them, it makes sense to pack the ones you’re keeping.
However, this method doesn’t always work, especially when items are spread across different areas. For instance, if you’re decluttering the pantry and find some party dishes, but you also have more dishes stored elsewhere, it’s best to gather all similar items together first. Seeing the full picture helps you make better decisions about what to keep or donate. Otherwise, when you pack room by room, you may forget what’s already boxed and end up keeping things you don’t really need.

Pack Smart Step Two: Plan Your Packing

Once you’ve sorted through everything, it’s time to plan. Walk through your home and estimate how many boxes you’ll need for each area.

• Use small boxes for heavy items like books, dishes, and wine.
• Use larger boxes for lighter items like clothes, toys, and bedding.

Now, let’s decide what to pack first and what to leave for last.

7 Things to Pack First

These are the items you can live without for a few weeks before your move:

1. Memorabilia – Photo albums, cards, souvenirs, and keepsakes you don’t use daily. These are time-consuming to wrap and pack, so start early.
2. Holiday Decorations and party dishes – Seasonal decor that you only pull out once a year, and holiday party dishes.
3. Seasonal Gear – Camping equipment, ski gear, beach chairs — anything you won’t need before moving day.
4. Decor and Artwork – If you’re okay living with bare walls for a bit, start packing delicate decor and framed art early.
5. Books – Easy to pack but heavy in bulk. If you can live without them for a while, box them up first.
6. Seasonal clothes- and shoes Kids outgrown clothing
7. Guest room- Bedding and extra items.

7 Things to Pack Last

These are the items you’ll still need up until moving day, or right when you arrive at your new home:

1. Everyday Food and Pantry Items – Pack only what’s left at the end.
2. Medications and First Aid – Keep accessible for safety and convenience.
3. Toiletries and Bathroom Essentials – Toothbrushes, towels, and soap stay until the end.
4. Cleaning Supplies and garbage bags– You’ll need them to clean before leaving.
5. Work or School Items – Laptops, notebooks, and chargers you use daily.
6. Vacuum, Broom, and Mop – The last things to go once the house is empty.
7. Chargers and Electronics – Keep your essentials powered up.

Your Essential Bag (Do Not Pack in the Truck)

Our most important tip, which we remind our clients every time is the essential bag you want to pack and distinguish from the boxes that will be loaded into the truck. This bag you will always keep with you:
Think about what you need if you go for a 2-3 nights vacation? Some clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers, towels for everyone in the family, a few snacks. Important documents (passports, IDs, health cards, home documents) Don’t forget your pet! Pet Supplies – Food, leash, carrier, water bowl.

Final Tip For Smart Pack

Packing is the most time-consuming part of any move, and it always takes longer than you think.
If you’d rather skip the stress and keep your daily routine until moving day, give us a call. At Vancouver In The Box, we can pack your entire home in just a few hours — safely, efficiently, and professionally, so you can focus on what matters most.

Packing is the most time-consuming part of every move, and you should take more time than you think you need for this task. Want to live your routine until packing day?

Don’t want the stress of packing? Too busy to pack? Give us a call. We pack a house in just a few hours so you can relax.