Without a doubt, packing is the most time-consuming and boring task when organizing your move. It takes hours and hours just to sort through your belongings and decide what to do with them. And then it takes nothing short of a Herculean effort to actually provide the items you’re taking to your new home with sufficient protection for the move.
However, you can find many packing tips and checklists to help you complete the process quickly and efficiently.
But what if you happen to need an item that has already been placed on the bottom of a moving box long ago – when you started packing – because it seemed to be one of the things you rarely use and the tips wisely advised you to first pack the items you don’t need on a regular basis? Having to dig back in the boxes you spent so much time packing will probably cause a fit of anger.
So, when packing your items, you need to think not only about how to finish the process in a speedy manner and how to prevent damage to your possessions, but also about how to organize your items, so that you have easy access to anything you might need.
You have probably already found information about where to begin the packing process and what items to put into your “Open-first box“, etc.
Here is a list of what you should pack last when moving:
Documents
Of course, you will not pack away your personal ID documents, such as your driver’s license, but remember that you will also need your inventory list, your contract with the moving company, and a copy of your rental lease (if any) when moving out.
You may need to frequently consult your phone/address book and a map of your new area, so be sure to have these with you on Moving day, too.
Toiletries and medicine
It is obvious that you will need your personal hygiene items and prescription medicines even on the very morning of Moving day (as well as immediately after arriving at your new place) but don’t forget to leave aside some pain killers and stress relieving medications too, as well as the first-aid kit, because you may badly need some of these things during the strenuous moving process.
Basic tools
You just can’t do without a hammer and a screwdriver, a couple of nails and screws, duct tape and a tape measure.
Under no circumstance should you part with your pocket knife either – its value is beyond measure when moving house.
Make sure you have a box cutter, a pair of scissors, and a flashlight within easy reach, too.
Essential electronic devices and powering equipment
This refers, of course, to your phone, along with its charger. But remember that some extension cords and batteries may also come in very handy, be it to plug in some necessary electric equipment or just to turn your music player on.
Actually, it is a good idea to leave your laptop unpacked as long as possible too – you may need to look for some last-minute information.
Bedding
Obviously, you will have to pack the sheets and blankets you slept in on the morning of Moving day, so reserve an appropriate box for them.
You can pack an extra change of clothes, the towels you used till the last moment (make sure they are not damp from your morning shower), and even your toiletries in the same box for convenience.
Comfort items
You will need food and drinks in the last days before your move, as well as on moving day itself, so be sure not to pack the items that will allow you to eat and drink normally (some utensils, a can opener, a bottle opener, a couple of mugs, etc.).
Pet items and toys are also among the last things to pack because you will need them to take proper care of your animal friends and keep them calm before and during the move.
Needless to say, if you have kids, you need to make sure their favorite toys and the items that bring them comfort and joy go last into the moving boxes.
Cleaning materials
Like it or not, you will have to clean your old property before turning the key for one last time. So, don’t pack all your cleaning supplies beforehand and make sure you have a sufficient number of trash bags.
When packing, set aside a box or two, as well as several bags, for the items you will need till the last minute. Make sure you have packed separately and can easily find whatever you will need first in your new home – in most cases, the same things you needed until the last moment in your old home and packed last.
