The Smart Move: How to Pack When Moving Apartments

At Gatewood Apartments in St. Cloud, MN, we know what it takes to move into a new apartment. The process can be both exciting and stressful: on the one hand, you get a fresh start in a new home, on the other, you have to pack up your belongings and deal with potentially overwhelming logistics.

As professionals in the business, our team here at Gatewood Apartments wants to help you simplify and better understand the packing process. In fact, packing doesnt have to be stressful if youre able to prepare ahead and get the necessary resources! Follow these tips to stay organized, protect your possessions, and turn the moving process into a breeze.

Whether you're moving across the street or relocating to a new town or state, learning about packing will ease your transition, making it more efficient and less complicated. Read further to find out how to pack your books, clothing, dishes, and jewelry as these are some of the most complicated items to move.

Start With a Plan: Declutter, Sort, and Schedule

The first step is to create a packing plan before you start the process. Determine what needs to be packed by decluttering. As you clean each room, make three piles labeled “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Toss.”

This will not only minimize the packing process but will save you time and energy. Once sorted, create a packing schedule based on what needs to be packed. For example, seasonal clothing can be packed earlier, but everyday essentials should be saved until the day of the move. Use labeled boxes when bringing things from one location to another. Boxes should be labeled by what is inside as well as in which room they belong. You can also use an organization packing app like Sortly or make use of color-coded labels.

How to Pack Books for Moving Without Breaking Your Back

Books may seem easy to pack, but when they’re stacked on top of each other in boxes, they can be very heavy. The best way to pack books for moving involves balance and containment.

Use small boxes. An entire box of books will get heavy quickly.
Lay flat or spine. This protects the bindings.
Pack tightly. If there's room for things to shift, your books will be damaged.
Use rolling suitcases. For very large or heavy collections, suitcases with wheels can save your back.

Never try and pack books in plastic bins. They don't provide enough friction to make sure books don't slide around during transport.

How to Pack Clothes for Moving: The (Almost) Wrinkle-Free Way

Packing clothes is all about saving space and organizing items. Depending on your wardrobe and how complicated the move is, here are a few ways to pack clothes for moving:

Wardrobe boxes. These allow you to hang clothes and prevent wrinkling.
Vacuum bags. Best for bulky items like coats and sweaters; they save a ton of space.
Rolling method. A great way (typically used in packing suitcases) for casual wear.
Leave in drawers. If you're taking your dresser, clothes can stay as is—just wrap the dresser in plastic wrap to be safe.

Don't forget to pack a few days' worth of clothes in a 'first night' bag so you're not rummaging through boxes in the first couple days after the move.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving Without Breakage

Packing kitchen supplies is one of the most fragile, frustrating things to pack. Here's how to pack dishes for moving:

Dish packing kits. These include foam pouches and cell dividers for ultimate safety.
Wrap each piece. In a newspaper, bubble wrap, or packing paper, each piece requires its own protective layer.
Stack plates vertically. Like vinyl records, plates are less likely to break on their sides instead of when stacked.
Fill space. Use towels or crumpled paper to ensure nothing shifts around.

These boxes should be marked fragile and not mixed with heavy materials that can cause accidents.

How to Pack Jewelry for Moving: Tangle-Free, Care Included

Jewelry may be small, but it carries a lot of weight, with both sentiment and value. Here's how to pack jewelry for moving:

Thread necklaces through straws and/or a pill organizer to keep chains from tangling.
Pack in a travel roll or jewelry box. This keeps it contained, organized, and padded.
Keep valuables with you. Jewelry should never go in the moving truck; keep it in your carry-on or personal bag while in transit.

And remember to make an inventory of your jewelry before packing so nothing goes missing.

Bonus Packing Tips For Apartment Moves

Buy first rate packing materials. High quality boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and labels are preferred.
Use everything you have. Suitcases, laundry baskets, and tote bags can all be used as moving containers if used correctly.
Have easy access to immediate needs. Create an "Open First" box with toiletries, chargers, important documents, and cleaning supplies.

The Best Move: St. Cloud, Minnesota

Packing is only half the battle—the other half is finding a place that you love! Here at Gatewood Apartments, we provide superior 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans that are thoughtfully designed to meet each residents criteria. Each home is fitted with energy efficient appliances, beautiful cabinetry, plush carpeting, and much more.

Schedule your tour today to see if Gatewood Apartments is the right place for your next move.