Moving to a new home or office can be both exciting and exhausting. Whether you’re relocating within Kent or across the UK, packing up your life into boxes can quickly become stressful and expensive. But what if you could speed up the process, use less space, and save money — all at once?
At PackUp Removals, we’ve helped hundreds of customers move efficiently with minimal hassle. In this post, we’re sharing our top packing hacks that will help you stay organised, cut costs, and make the entire moving experience smoother and smarter.
1. Start Early & Declutter First
Before you even start packing, take some time to declutter. The fewer items you move, the more you save — on time, space, and moving costs. Go room by room and separate your belongings into three piles:
- Keep
- Donate or sell
- Bin
Don’t waste money packing and transporting things you no longer use or need.
Pro Tip: Hold a garage sale or sell on Facebook Marketplace or eBay to earn some extra cash before the move.
2. Use What You Already Have
Instead of buying loads of packing supplies, use the things you already own:
- Suitcases & duffle bags: Perfect for clothes, shoes, or books.
- Laundry baskets: Great for bulky but lightweight items like towels or bedding.
- Plastic bins: Ideal for fragile items or electronics.
- Pots and pans: Use them to pack spices or small kitchen tools inside.
This not only saves space but also cuts down on the number of boxes you’ll need.
3. Pack a First-Night Essentials Box
One of the most overlooked hacks is preparing a “first-night” box. This should include:
- Toiletries
- Phone chargers
- Change of clothes
- Medications
- Snacks and water
- Basic kitchenware (plate, cup, fork, etc.)
- Bedding
This saves time rummaging through dozens of boxes on your first night and keeps stress levels low.
4. Roll Clothes Instead of Folding
Rolling your clothes instead of folding them saves space and prevents wrinkles. You’ll fit much more into each box or suitcase, and you won’t need to iron everything again when you unpack.
Bonus Hack: Use clean socks to pack fragile items like mugs or glasses.
5. Use Towels & Blankets as Padding
Instead of spending on bubble wrap or packing paper, use your soft household items to protect fragile belongings:
- Wrap dishes in T-shirts
- Cushion electronics with blankets
- Line boxes with towels
You’re packing them anyway — make them do double duty!
6. Label Smartly (Use Colours & Numbers)
Labelling your boxes is essential — but go one step further by using colour-coded labels or markers for each room.
- Red for kitchen
- Blue for bathroom
- Green for living room
- etc.
You can also number each box and keep a written or digital list of what’s inside each one. This saves time during both unpacking and if you need to find something urgently.
7. Take Photos Before Disassembling Anything
If you’re taking apart furniture or disconnecting electronics, take a few quick photos first. This makes reassembly much easier later — especially if you’re not a fan of reading manuals or figuring out mystery cables.
8. Wrap Drawers with Cling Film
No need to empty drawers — just wrap them tightly with cling film or plastic wrap. This keeps everything inside safe and saves loads of time unpacking.
Pro Tip: You can also wrap entire utensil trays or office organisers with their contents intact.
9. Use Garbage Bags for Hanging Clothes
This is a brilliant space- and time-saver:
- Gather 10–15 hanging clothes
- Pull a large garbage bag up from the bottom
- Tie the handles around the hangers
You can then move clothes straight from the closet to the van — and back onto the rail at your new place.
10. Don’t Buy Expensive Boxes — Source for Free
Moving boxes can be expensive if you’re buying dozens. Ask around your local:
- Grocery stores
- Bookshops
- Liquor stores
- Facebook groups
Many of them are happy to give away sturdy boxes for free.
11. Keep Screws & Small Parts Together
When disassembling furniture, place the screws, bolts, and fittings in a small labelled bag, and tape it to the item itself or put it all in a clearly marked box.
This simple trick can save hours of searching during reassembly.
12. Hire Professional Movers for Efficiency
Sometimes, the best way to save time and money is to hire professionals. At PackUp Removals, our trained moving team can help with:
- Packing
- Loading & unloading
- Furniture assembly/disassembly
- Safe transport of fragile items
- Full house or office removals across Kent and the UK
We work fast, handle your belongings with care, and ensure a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Packing doesn’t have to be a headache. With a little planning and a few smart hacks, you can save time, maximize space, and cut costs on your next move. Whether you’re relocating your flat, home, or office, use these strategies to stay organised and stress-free.
And if you’d rather leave it to the experts, get in touch with PackUp Removals — your trusted Kent-based moving company.
Get a Quote Today!