1. Weigh the pros and cons of hiring professional movers.
If you don’t have access to willing family and friends or you are moving to another state, it might make sense to hire professional movers. The amount of work they take off your plate during this stressful time might be well worth the added cost.

2. Declutter so you can pack less.
A crucial packing tip is making sure you don’t move anything that you no longer need. Lighten your stress and workload by decluttering before you enter the packing stage, which means figuring out what to toss, keep, sell, or donate. Take measurements of your new home and get rid of any furniture that won’t fit or you know you won’t use.

3. Invest in quality moving boxes.
It’s tempting to go to your local grocery store and try to score some boxes for free. However, moving boxes are relatively inexpensive, and the added durability can be worth the cost in the end.
Grocery boxes and reused moving boxes can be compromised due to wear and exposure to moisture or worse, a bug infestation. The last thing you want is a box falling apart in your hand while you’re trying to move it into the house.
Another great tip for this is to use what you already have! Cut down on boxes by making all of your baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases work for you. Use the wheeled suitcases for heavy things like books.

4. Pack a moving essentials tote.
When you first move into a new home, it’s unlikely the first thing you’re going to want to do is to unpack clothes, do laundry, and go grocery shopping. Moving can take a lot out of your family, which is why creating a moving essentials tote ahead of time is tremendously helpful. Including a change of clothes if you're going back to work the next day as well as all your toiletries.

5. Give each room a different color packing label.
To stay organized, print off multi-colored packing labels or use different colored masking tape and give each room its own color. Label the contents of each box and include the room it belongs in. Then in your new place, use colored tape to mark entrances to rooms. This moving tip will save movers a ton of time. Instead of needing to read the label explicitly or play the room guessing game, they can just match color to color.

6. Label and take photos of furniture parts and accessories.
Take the extra time to protect larger pieces of furniture before you move. Remove and secure all drawers and doors beforehand. Also, label cables, drawers, doors, and anything you need to remove so you know where it goes when you put it back together. Put screws and bolts into plastic bags and tape these to the back of the furniture.
When packing up electronics, take a photo of the back configuration so you remember which cord goes where. Take photos of any furniture you take apart to serve as a guide for putting it back together. Also, make sure you label doors, screws, and anything else you take apart.

7. Use plastic wrap to avoid leaks.
Take care of anything that has the potential to spill. For instance, a shampoo bottle that seems tightly sealed outside of a box can somehow magically figure out a way to ooze over all your other belongings. In this case, keep all toiletries and liquids separate from dry items. Also, consider using plastic wrap as an additional seal between the bottle and the lid.

8. Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic container
This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside; it also separates itself from the myriad of cardboard boxes.

9. Wrap your breakables (dishes, glasses, etc.) in clothing to save on bubble wrap.
Two birds, one stone: You're packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.

10. Keep drawers intact by covering them with stretch wrap
Dresser drawers are like their own moving boxes — this will keep you from having to unpack and refold their contents. It'll also make moving the actual dresser much more manageable. You can also group items together, it'll protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.

11. Sandwich bags
Keep sandwich bags (with front labels) handy for holding any small parts of things you have to take apart, like curtain rods or mounted flat-screen TVs.
Tape the sandwich bags to the back of the item they correspond to.
ALSO: Use this method with the cords for your electronics. Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go.

12. Make sure everything is completely packed before your friends show up to help you move.
Don't be that horrible person who makes everyone wait around/help you pack. Another note: If you have enough friends, split them up into shifts — one set to help you move in the morning, and another to help you move when you get to your new home.

13. If you own items that you want to get rid of but are too valuable to just give away, start selling on eBay or marketplace at least six weeks before moving. It's an easy way to make you feel like you aren't procrastinating, and you might be able to make enough money back to pay for the entire move itself. But it sometimes takes time for things to sell online, so you'll want to plan accordingly.

14. Remember to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before moving and wipe up any liquid. Else you're going to have a stinky, wet mess when you get to your new home.

15. Get your new address change sorted (Notify everyone)

16. Enjoy your new home!!