7 Common Packing Mistakes When Moving House

Packing sounds easy – just toss everything in some boxes and call it a day, right? Not so fast. Packing is the part of moving that can quietly sabotage your sanity. It’s the reason boxes go missing, vases end up in pieces, and you find your toothbrush packed six feet under your holiday decorations. Whether you’re handling the move yourself or bringing in the pros, how you pack sets the tone for everything that follows.

And let’s be honest – moving is stressful enough without the added fun of realizing your “miscellaneous” box is actually a Bermuda Triangle of tangled cords, expired spices, and one rogue sock. Good packing isn’t just about saving space; it’s about saving time, money, and your future self from unnecessary headaches.

To save you from cardboard chaos, here are seven packing mistakes people make all the time – and how you can avoid them like a true moving master.

1. Leaving Packing to the Last Minute

Ah, yes, the classic “I’ll just do it the night before” move. Spoiler alert: you won’t. This is the most common packing mistake – and the most stressful one. Waiting until the last minute to pack turns what could be a manageable process into a chaotic blur of open boxes, missing underwear, and mysteriously disappearing chargers. The real first step? Decluttering. Before you touch a single box, go through your belongings and purge what you no longer use, wear, or even like. The less you have, the less you have to pack. It’s simple math… and a surprisingly satisfying life cleanse.

Once you’ve whittled things down, give yourself at least three full days to pack if you’re going solo – longer if you’ve got a lot of stuff, small kids, or a full-time job (aka, real life). Start with the non-essentials (hello, Halloween decorations and that bread maker you used once) and save the daily-use items for last. Spreading packing over several days helps you stay organized, label everything properly, and avoid having a meltdown at midnight surrounded by half-full boxes and stale takeout.

2. Using Weak or Worn-Out Boxes

We get it – grabbing that stack of old Amazon boxes from the garage feels like a smart, thrifty move… until one collapses halfway up the stairs and your blender becomes modern art. Weak or worn-out cardboard boxes are one of the biggest culprits behind damaged items during a move. They bend, rip, and buckle under pressure – and not in a poetic, character-building way. And let’s not even talk about the good ol’ plastic trash bag approach. Spoiler: they offer zero protection, tear like tissue paper, and make your valuables look like, well… trash.

If you want to avoid the box-based heartbreak, switch to something sturdier. Plastic moving bins are a game-changer. They’re durable, weather-resistant, and stack like a dream. Even better? You don’t have to buy them or store them forever. At iMOVE NYC, we offer plastic moving bin rentals – we deliver them to your door before the move and pick them up afterward.

3. Mixing Items from Different Rooms

At first glance, tossing your blender in with your shoes and a stack of bathroom towels might feel like efficiency. “It’s all going to the same place anyway!” you say, proudly sealing the box. Fast forward to moving day, and you’re standing in your new kitchen holding a mystery box labeled “misc” that contains a whisk, a flip-flop, and something that might be a shower curtain… or a ghost. Who knows?

Mixing items from different rooms is a fast track to unpacking frustration. Instead, pack room-by-room and label your boxes clearly. Not just “Bedroom”think “ – Bedroom: Books & Nightstand Drawer.” The more specific, the better. It helps you (and your movers) know exactly where everything goes when unloading.

Want to keep it all even more organized? Uniform reusable moving boxes – like the ones we rent at iMOVE NYC – are stackable, easy to label, and make sorting a breeze. Your future self will thank you when you’re not unboxing spaghetti tongs in the bathroom.

4. Forgetting to Label Properly

Yes, we mentioned labeling in the last mistake – but it deserves its own full-blown moment in the spotlight. Why? Because it’s one of the most underestimated parts of packing, and it’s also one of the most important.

You might think a Sharpie scribble on the top of a box is enough… until every single box is stacked top-down in the truck or shoved into a corner. Then you’re left playing moving-day roulette: is this the one with your bathroom towels or your blender? Who knows!

To avoid the chaos, label at least two sides of every box with the destination room and a quick breakdown of what’s inside. Think: “Bedroom – Winter clothes” or “Living Room – Books & remote controls.” This helps not just you, but your movers too – especially when they’re unloading and need to know what goes where.

5. Overpacking Boxes

Just because it technically fits doesn’t mean it belongs in the same box. We get it – you’re trying to maximize space and minimize trips. But overpacking is one of the fastest ways to turn a smooth move into a back-breaking nightmare.

When you cram 70 pounds of books into a single box because they “all fit perfectly,” that box is going to protest – loudly. At best, it’ll buckle on the way to the truck. At worst, it’ll explode mid-staircase like a cardboard piñata of regret. And don’t even get us started on what it does to your back, your floor, or your patience.

6. Not Protecting Fragile Items

Tossing your wine glasses into a box with two sheets of newspaper and a hopeful attitude? That’s not a packing method – it’s a fast track to heartbreak.

Too often, people rely on grocery bags, thin cardboard, or the “fingers-crossed” method when it comes to packing fragile belongings. But let’s be honest – hope doesn’t protect heirloom mugs or your favorite vase.

Instead, use real packing materials. Packing paper is your best friend for wrapping delicate items securely. And if you’re looking to double up, soft clothing, towels, or blankets make excellent additional padding. It saves space and cuts down on waste.

Also, plastic moving bins are a game-changer for anything breakable. Unlike cardboard, they’re rigid, water-resistant, and won’t collapse under the weight of other boxes. Plus, they’re perfect for stacking without crushing the contents.

7. Skipping a “Day-One” Essentials Bin

There’s nothing quite like ending a long moving day, sweaty and exhausted, only to realize your toothbrush, pajamas, and phone charger are buried in a sea of boxes labeled “misc.” Somewhere. Maybe.

That’s why a “Day-One” essentials bin isn’t just a nice idea – it’s survival. Think of it like your overnight bag for the first 24 hours: include toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, snacks, important documents, and anything else you really don’t want to be without.

Make it the last thing you pack and the first thing you open. Label it clearly (“OPEN FIRST”), and keep it with you – not in the back of the moving truck behind your blender and winter boots.

Trust us, future-you will thank present-you when your toothpaste is exactly where it should be.

Ready to Pack Smarter?

If you want to skip the stress and avoid these common mistakes, we’re here to help. At iMOVE NYC, we offer plastic moving bin rentals that are sturdy, stackable, and way easier to deal with than flimsy cardboard. Need a hand packing? Our experienced team can take care of that too—carefully packing your belongings so everything arrives safe and organized.

Because moving doesn’t have to be a mess. Let us help you do it better. Contact us today to get started.