Moving can be an intense process and in a perfect world you would have at least 4-6 weeks to get everything packed and ready to go. In reality, however, many people find themselves in a situation where they need to move much faster.

Perhaps you have to move for a job or your house sold much faster than you anticipated. Whatever the reason, this can add stress and chaos to an already hectic situation. There is good news, however.

With the right tips and tricks, it is possible to move in a hurry without losing all control. Consider the following tips to learn how you can pack for your move in just three days!

Day 1

You are likely going to have the most energy on the first day so it’s best to conquer your hardest tasks first.

●Box up your basement, attic, and garage first. This includes seasonal items, tools, lawn equipment, sports gear, hobby materials, etc.

●Move on to the laundry room, linen closet, and cleaning supply closet

●Make an effort to pack the least used rooms in your house as well such as guest rooms, library/study, or sunroom.

Day 2

You should be feeling pretty good now that the hardest rooms are complete. Now it’s time to turn your attention to the living room, dining room, office, and children’s rooms.

●Pack all decorative items including lamps, photographs, artwork, and items from bookshelves.

●Pack up any office supplies including computers and printers.

●Disassemble living room and bedroom furniture. (You may have to sleep on sleeping bags or air mattresses for a night.)

●Pack any children’s items such as toys, furniture, and other personal items

●Pack all clothing and shoes. (*Note: Be sure and pack a few changes of clothing in a separate bag for each member of the family.)

Day 3

The last day will be long and hectic but hopefully the only places left are the kitchen and bathrooms.

●Pack the kitchen including all the dishes and appliances

●Pack the bathrooms but be sure to pack a few toiletries and any medications in your essentials bag with your clothing.

●Pack curtains, rugs, trash cans, and anything else that remains in the home.

●Make sure you have all important documents and your essentials bag with you.

Quick Packing Tips

Start right away!

Now isn’t the time to sit and ponder about everything that has to get done. It’s best to accept the situation for what it is and get moving. The moment you find out that you only have a few days to move, you need to kick it into high gear and start packing right away.

Sort and purge.

You may not have time to hold a garage sale, sell items online, or spend days sorting through your belongings. However, the fewer items you have to relocate to a new home, the less time it will take to pack. If you want to pack your house in a hurry, you need to start by reducing the number of items you are taking with you. This may even include getting rid of furniture. Go through each room in your home and assess whether you need it or not. Sort items into different categories-”take”, “give away,” “throw away.” As you go through the house, try not to spend too much time thinking about each item. Remember that speed is your top priority at this point.

Gather your supplies.

You won’t have time to be making multiple trips back and forth to the store to pick up moving supplies so it’s important to get all the packing and moving supplies you need on the first trip. It’s better to buy too many boxes than not enough. You can always return unused boxes. In addition to moving boxes, be sure and purchase packing paper, bubble wrap, packing tape, and any specialty boxes you might need for electronics, artwork, mirrors, etc.

Enlist the help of family and friends.

If you only have a few days to pack, don’t be shy about asking family and friends for help. Packing together can actually be fun and you can express your gratitude with a few pizzas. If nobody is available, consider hiring a couple of packers to assist you.

Forget about organization.

Now isn’t the time to color code your boxes and create a detailed inventory list. With a quick move, you have permission to throw organization out the window and simply focus on getting your belongings from Point A to Point B. As long as everything is carefully wrapped and well-secured, disorganization is acceptable.

Pack clothes in dressers and suitcases.

When you are packing in a hurry, it is not necessary to take each item out of your dresser, sort it, and pack it. Instead, use the dresser as your moving box and keep your clothing inside. Just be sure and secure the drawers so they don’t fly open during transport. You can also pack clothing and toiletries in your suitcases. Not only will this save you a few boxes, but it’s faster than assembling extra boxes.