Packing is the part of moving that nobody looks forward to. It starts with good intentions and a stack of fresh boxes, and somewhere around the third closet, the urge to just throw everything in garbage bags gets strong. But how you pack directly affects how your move goes. Rushed packing leads to broken dishes, lost chargers, and that sinking feeling when you open a box labeled “kitchen stuff” and find winter boots inside. A little strategy goes a long way, especially when you are preparing for a household move in a city like St. Paul, MN, where homes range from Victorian-era houses on Summit Avenue to modern apartments near Lowertown.
Gather Your Supplies Before You Start
Running out of tape halfway through the kitchen is a momentum killer. Before packing a single item, stock up on sturdy boxes in multiple sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and markers. Skip the newspaper for wrapping. The ink transfers onto dishes and glassware, and cleaning it off at your new place is not how you want to spend your first day. Ask your moving company about packing supply packages.
The Room-by-Room Method
Pack one room at a time and keep items from different rooms separate. It sounds basic, but it is the single most effective way to stay organized. Start with rooms you use least, like guest bedrooms or the basement. Leave your kitchen and daily essentials for last. Label every box with its contents and its destination room at the new place. Color-coded tape or stickers can speed things up even more, giving your movers a quick visual cue for where each box goes.
Pro Tip: Pack a clear plastic bin with two days’ worth of essentials: toiletries, medications, chargers, snacks, and basic kitchen tools. Keep this bin in your car on moving day, not on the truck. You will thank yourself that first night.
Handling Fragile Items Without Overthinking It
Wrap each fragile piece individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. For plates, stand them on their edges like records in a crate rather than stacking flat. Use small boxes for heavy items like books and dishes, and save large boxes for lighter things like linens, pillows, and lampshades. Fill any gaps in the box with crumpled paper so nothing shifts during the drive. If you are moving from a St. Paul home with multiple floors, clearly mark fragile boxes and communicate their location to your crew.
Pro Tip: Take photos of the backs of your TV and entertainment setup before disconnecting cables. Bundle cords with rubber bands and label them. Reconnecting in your new home in St. Paul, MN, will be a snap.
What Not to Pack
Some items should never go in a moving box. Flammable liquids, propane tanks, cleaning solvents, and perishable food need to stay out of the truck. If you have houseplants, transport them yourself in your own vehicle. Minnesota summer heat inside a closed truck can quickly damage or kill plants. Important documents like passports, birth certificates, and financial records should travel with you, not in a box.
Clothes and Closets Made Easy
Wardrobe boxes are worth every penny. They let you transfer hanging clothes directly from your closet rod to the box without folding, and your clothes arrive wrinkle-free. For folded items, leave them in dresser drawers and wrap the whole dresser in moving blankets—one less thing to pack and unpack.
Pack Smart, Move Better
Good packing is the foundation of a smooth move. Whether you are leaving a Crocus Hill brownstone or a Highland Park bungalow, putting in the effort up front saves time, money, and frustration on the other end. Need professional packing help or a full-service move? Contact Metcalf Moving & Storage and let a team with over a century of experience take the stress out of your St. Paul relocation.