How far ahead should I start packing?
Quick Answer
Start 3 to 4 weeks before your move for a 2-bedroom home. Begin with rooms you use least (guest room, storage, garage) and pack daily-use items last. A 1-bedroom can be packed in 1 to 2 weeks. A 4+ bedroom home needs 5 to 6 weeks.
A realistic packing timeline prevents the last-minute panic that leads to broken items and forgotten essentials. Here is a week-by-week approach for a 2-bedroom home.
4 weeks before: start decluttering. Go room by room and sort items into keep, donate, sell, and trash piles. This is the most impactful step - less stuff means less packing, less weight, and a lower moving bill.
3 weeks before: gather supplies (boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap). Start packing rarely-used rooms: guest bedroom, storage closets, garage, seasonal items, books, and decorations.
2 weeks before: pack the next tier: dining room, home office, non-essential kitchen items (baking supplies, small appliances, extra dishes). Label every box with contents and destination room.
1 week before: pack most remaining items. Leave out only daily essentials: one set of dishes, toiletries, medications, a few changes of clothes, phone chargers, and important documents.
Day before: pack your essentials box (first-night bag with toiletries, medications, phone charger, change of clothes, sheets for the bed, basic cleaning supplies, and snacks). Strip the beds and finish any remaining packing.
Adjust the timeline for home size: studio/1-bedroom (1-2 weeks), 3-bedroom (4-5 weeks), 4+ bedroom (5-6 weeks). If you have professional packers booked, you can wait longer since they typically pack a 2-bedroom in 4-6 hours.