What to Pack First When Moving

Why does the packing order matter when you are about to move home?

Packing is the most time-consuming part of any move, and starting without a plan can result in days of extra work, additional moving costs, and a significant amount of unnecessary stress.

Not knowing where or what to pack first is one of the most common problems that people face when moving.

 So in this complete guide, we’ll cover:

• Should you hire professional packers?
• Which rooms to pack first when moving (and why).
• Which items should you pack first to keep your move efficient?
• Pro tips to save time, money, and your sanity.

Should You Hire Professional Packers?

If you want to make your move so much easier, faster, and far less inconvenient, consider hiring professional packing services.

• Skilled packers can prepare an entire home for transport in a fraction of the time it would take most people, often completing the job in just one day instead of several.
• Packing yourself often means living for weeks among half-packed boxes, trying to find the time to pack, as well as having to resource all the materials you will need.
• Hiring professional packers means no disruption to your daily life, it eliminates the last-minute packing rush, and minimizes the risk of damage thanks to expert wrapping, boxing, and labeling techniques.
• One essential thing to remember is that insurance companies will not usually cover any goods in transit that you have packed yourself, so check any policies very carefully.
• Costs typically range from $300 to $1,500, depending on the size of your home and the volume of items, but what price do you put on the time saved and the peace of mind gained?
• Many moving companies offer flexible options: full-service packing, partial packing, or fragile-only packing, so you can match the service to your budget and schedule.
• For busy professionals, families, or anyone facing a tight deadline, hiring packers is often the best money they will spend during their relocation.

You may also like to read: How Much Does it Cost to Hire Packers? In this guide, we look at what packers do, the various services they offer, and the average cost of those services.

Before You Start Packing, Prepare for Success

Whether packing yourself or hiring professional packers, here is how to prep for packing:

1. Make a Complete Home Inventory

Over the years, we accumulate items we forget even exist. Before you put a single thing in a box:

• List everything you own, room by room.
• Use pen and paper or an inventory app like Sortly or Encircle.
• Include photos for valuable items to simplify insurance claims.

Pro Tip: This list doubles as a packing checklist and as proof of what you moved in case of loss or damage.

You may also like to read: How to Create a Packing Inventory. In this guide, we explain how to create a comprehensive moving inventory.

2. Declutter Before Packing

The golden rule of moving: Don’t pay to move what you don’t need, and never pay to move something that is cheaper to replace.

Sort everything into four categories:

• To pack: Only items you love and you’ll truly use in the future.
• To sell: Usually things like furniture, electronics, or collectibles in good condition.
• To donate: Clothes, kitchenware, books, or toys that still have life left in them.
• To recycle/dispose of: Broken, outdated, or unsafe items.

Pro Tip: Furniture is heavy and costly to move. In many cases, it’s cheaper to sell it and buy new after the move.

You may also like to read: How to Declutter for a Home Move. In this guide, we explain in detail how to declutter your home for a cheaper and easier move.

What Rooms to Pack First When Moving

The key is logical sequencing:

• Start with the rooms you use the least.
• Begin with the hardest areas while you have energy.

Here’s the ideal order:

1. Storage Areas (Garage, Basement, Attic, Shed)

• These are clutter magnets and often contain hazardous items movers won’t transport (paint, propane tanks, chemicals).
• Why first? They take the longest to sort and pack, and you won’t miss anything stored here in daily life.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Garage for Moving. In this guide, we offer a step-by-step guide to packing your garage for a move and also explain the items that you cannot pack for health and safety reasons.

2. Closets and Spare Rooms

• Closets: Clothes, sports gear, old electronics, much of which can be packed weeks in advance.
• Spare rooms: Guest rooms or unused bedrooms.

3. Kitchen

One of the trickiest rooms to pack because:

• Many breakables (china, glassware).
• Bulky appliances (microwave, mixer).

Tip: Pack rarely used kitchen items first. Leave daily-use essentials for last.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving. In this guide, we offer a step-by-step guide to packing things commonly found in the kitchen.

4. Living Room

• Large furniture, electronics, and ornaments can be packed early, but leave entertainment essentials (TV, game console) until the last few days.

You may also like to read: How to Pack Electronics for Moving. In this guide, we explain how to safely pack your electronics when moving home.

5. Kids’ Rooms

• Leave until later in the move, but involve kids in sorting toys and books early.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Child’s Bedroom for Moving. In this guide, we explain how to pack all the things commonly found in a child’s room.

6. Bedrooms

• Keep beds functional until the very end. Pre-pack out-of-season clothing and extra bedding early.

You may also like to read: How to Pack Bedding and Linens for Moving. In this guide, we offer tips for packing all your linen and bedding when moving home.

7. Bathroom

• Last room to pack because you’ll need it daily until moving day. Pack toiletries and medicines in an “Essentials Box” for the first night in your new home.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Bathroom for Moving. In this guide, we offer tips for packing all the things commonly found in the bathroom.

What Items to Pack First When Moving

The first things to pack are non-essential items — anything you can live without until after the move.

Non-Essentials Packing List:

• Decor and Artwork – Paintings, framed photos, sculptures, holiday décor.
• Collections – Coins, stamps, figurines, memorabilia.
• Seasonal Clothing and Shoes – Anything you won’t wear before the move.
• Extra Bedding and Towels – Keep just enough for current use.
• Books and Magazines – Leave only a couple for downtime.
• Special Kitchenware – Serving platters, crystal glasses, and baking tools.
• Games and Toys – Keep only a few for the kids until moving day.
• Jewelry – Pack early for safekeeping, especially valuables.

Pro Tip: Label boxes by room and contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Glassware – Fragile”) to speed up unpacking.

You may also like to visit our library of packing guides in our home moving blog. Here you will find packing guides for every single item commonly found in a home.

Your Packing Timeline

• 4–6 Weeks Before Moving Day: Declutter, pack storage areas, collections, and rarely used items.
• 3 Weeks Before: Spare rooms, seasonal clothes, most décor, books.
• 2 Weeks Before: Living room furniture (non-essentials), special kitchenware, extra bedding.
• Last Week: Bedrooms, kids’ toys, electronics, and essential kitchenware.
• Day Before: Bathroom and daily kitchen items, last bedding set.
• Moving Day: Pack your essentials box, valuables, and important documents.

You may also like to read: Packing Timeline. This is a comprehensive guide on what to pack and when, ready for your relocation.

Packing Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to allow enough time for the packing marathon
• Packing daily essentials too early forces you to unpack before the move.
• Overfilling boxes risks breakage and injury.
• Not labeling boxes properly will waste hours when unpacking.
• Ignoring non-allowable items may invalidate your insurance, and movers will refuse to take them.

You may also like to read: Common Packing Mistakes. In this guide, we explain the most common packing mistakes and how to avoid them.

Start Smart, Pack Smart, For an Easier Home Move

Packing for a move isn’t just about putting things in boxes; it’s about having the right strategy. Start with low-use rooms and non-essentials, save essentials for last, and stick to a timeline.

Doing it in the right order will save you time, reduce stress, and make settling into your new home much smoother.

And just to reiterate something we mentioned earlier, but it is essential: Accidents happen no matter how well something is packed, so ensure that you are fully insured for your home move. It is the most common home moving mistake: being underinsured and not understanding the insurance that movers offer.

Be sure to read this comprehensive guide to moving insurance.

Good luck with your home move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.