Key takeaways
- Start with storage rooms and out-of-season items
- Kitchens and bathrooms come last for a reason
- One clearly marked essentials bin travels with you
Week one: the rooms you barely use
Guest rooms, basements, garages, and closets full of seasonal gear are the safest place to start. Nothing in them affects daily life, so you can pack them weeks ahead without disruption.
Week two: decor, books, and spare linens
Anything decorative can go. Your home will look bare, but bare rooms pack faster and clean faster.
The final 48 hours
Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedside tables stay live until the end. Pack them the day before, leaving out one plate, one cup, and one pan per person.
- Medications and chargers
- A change of clothes per person
- Basic tools and a utility knife
- Toilet paper, soap, and towels
The bin that rides with you
Pick one bin, mark it clearly, and keep it in your own car. It is the difference between a calm first night and digging through a stack at midnight.
Derek Shaw
Move Coordinator
Derek has helped hundreds of households and offices in Chicago, IL move with reusable bins, and writes about what actually works on the day.
5 Ways Reusable Bins Save You Time on Moving Day
NextDeclutter Before You Pack: A 30-Minute Plan
Put this into practice
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