Ultimate Packing and Relocation Checklist

Moving checklists are everywhere. Most will tell you to “start early,” “label your boxes,” and “don’t forget to pack an essentials bag.” And sure, that’s all sound advice, but if you’ve moved more than once, you already know the basics. What most checklists don’t prepare you for is the real-life stuff that makes or breaks your move.

Like the fact that packing isn’t linear, you’ll start with the guest room, get sentimental halfway through a bookshelf, and suddenly find yourself deep-cleaning your spice rack instead of taping boxes.

This guide goes beyond the obvious. These are the smart, real-world packing strategies that movers and people who have done this more times than they care to admit actually use.

The First Thing You Should Pack Isn’t a Box

Most people open with clothes or kitchen cabinets. But the smartest move? Start with your packing process itself. Before you touch a single item, you need a system.

Build Your “Pack Plan” in 20 Minutes:

Choose your unpacking order first.
Ask yourself: What will I want access to in the first 48 hours? Beds? Coffee? Wi-Fi setup? Reverse-engineer your packing from there.
Assign zones, not just rooms.
Label boxes by where they’re going, not where they came from. That corner reading nook? “Living Room – Book Zone.” The drawer in your entryway? “New Entry Drawer.” The more specific, the easier it is to unpack.
Color-code or sticker system > just writing “Kitchen.”
Especially useful when directing movers—or your well-meaning friends—who can’t decode your shorthand.
Create a staging area.
Whether it’s a guest room or a corner of your bedroom, have a zone for packed boxes so they’re not scattered all over the place. It helps visually track your progress and keeps your pathways clear.

Pro insight: The best packers don’t just “start”, they set themselves up to keep going. That’s what makes the difference on day three when energy dips and the novelty wears off.

What to Pack First (and What to Absolutely Leave Until the End)

The biggest mistake people make? Packing the “easy stuff” first, then scrambling to find the charger, the favorite hoodie, or the dog’s leash the night before the move.

Here’s how seasoned movers do it:

Pack These First:

Seasonal items & off-duty gear

Winter coats in July? Pack them.
The fondue pot you haven’t used since 2019? Definitely pack it.
Extra linens, rarely used decor, books you won’t read mid-move—these are your low-risk wins.

Wall art and decor
Not only are these non-essentials, but they also visually clear your space, which can make your home feel more manageable while you prep.

Sentimental or slow-pack items
Anything that takes emotional energy to sort - photo albums, kids’ artwork, grandma’s dish set, hould be packed early, when you’re still fresh. Don't leave this stuff until 10 p.m. on the night before your move.

Leave These for Last:

Essentials you use daily
This includes:

Everyday clothing
Toiletries and medications
Kitchen basics (coffee setup, snacks, water bottles)
Chargers, laptops, the router (label those cords!)
One set of clean sheets and towels for each person

Important documents and valuables
Don't put these on the truck, carry them with you. That includes IDs, insurance policies, lease or closing paperwork, passports, and anything irreplaceable.

Pro tip: Designate a “Stay With Me” bag or box and label it loud and clear. You’ll thank yourself when you need something 20 minutes after arriving at your new place.

How to Handle the Hardest Room: The Kitchen

Ask any mover, the kitchen is the final boss of packing. It’s where you’ll find fragile items, awkward shapes, heavy tools, and a shocking number of “Do I really need this?” decisions.

Here’s how to approach it without losing your cool (or your wine glasses):

Start With a Kitchen Purge

No, you don’t need six spatulas or expired cumin from 2016.
Go drawer by drawer and ask:

Have I used this in the past year?
Will I actually need this in my new kitchen?

Toss, donate, or gift what doesn’t make the cut.

Pack in Layers, Not Chaos

Go in stages:

Rarely used items: serving platters, special-occasion dishes, extra utensils
Small appliances: waffle maker, slow cooker, anything not needed this week
Daily-use items: save for the last 1–2 days and keep a few basics accessible

Wrap fragile items in dish towels, paper, or bubble wrap, and stack dishes vertically like vinyl records, they’re less likely to crack that way.

Don’t Forget:

Defrost your freezer 24–48 hours before moving
Toss anything you don’t want to bring (looking at you, mystery sauce collection)
Keep cleaning supplies separate and easily accessible, your new fridge will need a wipe before you stock it

Mover's tip: Most kitchen disasters happen when people leave it until the very end. You’ll be tired, out of boxes, and far less patient. Give it its own dedicated packing window, ideally, earlier than you'd think.

What to Do the Day Before (That Makes Moving Day 10x Easier)

If moving day is the performance, the day before is the dress rehearsal. It's your chance to stage everything, double-check key details, and avoid the dreaded "where's the Allen wrench?" moment mid-move.

Build Your Essentials Kit

This isn’t just a nice idea, it’s survival gear.

Pack one clearly labeled box (or duffel bag) with everything you’ll need before your stuff is unpacked:

Chargers, cables, power strip
A few plates, cups, and utensils
Toiletries and medication
Pajamas and a fresh change of clothes
A towel for each person
Basic tools: screwdriver, box cutter, flashlight
Toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels
Snacks and bottled water

Optional but life-saving: coffee setup, trash bags, Bluetooth speaker

Take Final Photos (of Everything)

Furniture before it's taken apart
Electronics setup (so you can plug things in without a YouTube tutorial)
Your old place - document its condition for landlords or security deposits
Utility meter readings with timestamps, just in case

Quick Home Reset

Even if you’ve hired cleaners, take 20 minutes to:

Do a final sweep for forgotten items (check the backs of closets, under sinks)
Clear out your fridge and pantry
Empty trash bins
Leave behind any keys, remotes, or paperwork for the next occupant

Pro tip: Label the boxes you’ll need immediately with a bright-colored marker or tape. Think: “Open First – Kitchen Basics” or “Open First – Bedroom.”

How to Stay in Control on Moving Day (Even If You’re Running on Coffee and Nerves)

No matter how well you’ve packed, moving day has its own energy - part excitement, part chaos, part "Where did I put my phone?"

Here’s how to stay calm, clear-headed, and in charge.

Be the Point Person

Whether you’ve hired movers or recruited friends, someone needs to lead and that’s you.

Greet the movers (or your crew) early with a walk-through of the home
Point out fragile items, boxes to load last, and anything that’s not going on the truck
Use your labeled boxes and color-coded tape to direct where things go in your new place
Keep your essentials bag with you at all times, do not pack it into the moving van

Check Off as You Go

Have a copy of your inventory (even a basic one) and check things off as they’re loaded and unloaded. This helps:

Prevent lost or misplaced boxes
Catch damage early so you can flag it with your mover
Track furniture and items you may have disassembled

Be Ready for Quick Fixes

Pack a “last-minute kit” with:

Tape, scissors, a pen, and Post-it notes
Basic tools for removing doors or taking legs off furniture
Ziplock bags for screws and hardware (label them!)

Bonus tip: Have a cooler with drinks and a few snacks. Moving takes fuel, mentally and physically.

Before You Lock Up

Do one last walk-through before saying goodbye to your old home:

Check drawers, closets, and under sinks
Turn off lights, close windows, and set the thermostat
Take a deep breath - you did it

Unpacking with Purpose: How to Settle In Without Losing Steam

You made it. The boxes are inside, the keys are in your hand, and now the real nesting begins.

But before you dive into every box at once, here’s how the pros recommend easing into your new home without burning out.

Start With the Spaces That Help You Recharge

Unpack bedrooms and bathrooms first.
You’ll want a soft landing after a long day and a working shower. Don’t underestimate how grounding it feels to sleep in your own bed and use your own toothbrush on night one.

Next up: the kitchen.
Set up a basic cooking station with pots, plates, and coffee gear. A few meals at home can help your new space feel “lived in” much faster.

Tackle the Rest One Zone at a Time

Forget perfection, go for progress. Choose one area to focus on each day or weekend:

Living room first if you need a gathering space
Home office if you’re working remotely
Storage closets or garages last, they’re easier once the main spaces are livable

Keep a box cutter and trash bag in each room you’re unpacking. Streamlining the process helps you stay in flow.

Reconnect With the World Around You

Take time to explore your new surroundings. Go for a short walk, find the nearest grocery store, coffee shop, or park. Introduce yourself to a neighbor.

Feeling settled isn’t just about unpacking, it’s about connecting.

Pro tip: Update your address with any straggling accounts, delivery services, loyalty programs, your vet, your gym. Even the pizza place you love. It’s the final layer of your fresh start.

Wrapping Up: You’ve Got This - But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Packing and moving doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to move forward. And the more realistic your plan, the smoother it goes.

If you’re reaching that “I’m so done” point? That’s where Lifestyle Moving steps in.

Whether you need help with packing, heavy lifting, furniture setup, or just want someone else to take care of the logistics, our team is here to make the hardest parts feel easy, so you can focus on turning your new house into home.