By Nathan Hawes
Moving a family home is rarely just about putting things in boxes. It is the school artwork in the drawer, the half-used pantry, the cot that needs to be ready on night one, and the furniture that has survived years of family life. This guide to packing a family home gives you a clear, practical way to get through it without leaving the hard jobs until moving morning.
The aim is not to have every cupboard packed weeks ahead. It is to make sensible decisions early, protect what matters, and leave your family with the things they need right up until the truck arrives.
Start packing earlier than you think
For most family homes, two to four weeks is a realistic packing window. A small unit may take less time, while a larger home with a shed, garage, kids’ rooms and years of stored belongings can take longer. Starting early gives you room to sort properly instead of throwing unwanted items into boxes simply because the deadline is close.
Begin with the areas you use least: spare rooms, linen cupboards, bookshelves, wall decorations, seasonal clothes and storage furniture. Pack one space at a time and finish it before starting another. This keeps boxes organised and stops the house feeling completely upside down too soon.
Put aside anything you will not be taking with you. Sell, donate, recycle or dispose of it before moving day where possible. Paying to move broken furniture, old paperwork or clothes nobody wears adds cost, time and clutter at the other end.
Make a packing plan for the whole household
A simple plan makes a big difference when several people are involved. Walk through each room and estimate how many boxes it will need. Keep a running note on your mobile or a sheet of paper, especially for items that need special care, dismantling or a larger vehicle.
It also helps to decide early what each family member can handle. Older children can sort toys and books, then label their own boxes. Keep the final decisions on sentimental items, paperwork, valuables and fragile belongings with an adult. Young kids may enjoy helping, but give them a small job rather than access to a box of permanent markers and breakables.
Set up a packing station in one spot with boxes, packing tape, a marker, paper, scissors and labels. If supplies are scattered around the house, every box takes longer than it should. Use clean, sturdy cartons that can be closed properly. Overfilled supermarket boxes and worn-out cartons can split when lifted, particularly if they contain books or kitchenware.
Pack room by room, and label for the new house
The best labels tell you more than the room name. Write the destination room, a short description of what is inside, and whether it is fragile. For example, “Kitchen – everyday plates – fragile” is far more useful than simply writing “Kitchen”. Mark the top and side of every carton so it can still be identified once boxes are stacked.
Numbering boxes can also help. Keep a basic inventory on your phone, such as “Box 18: kids’ books and bedside lamp”. You do not need a detailed list for every tea towel, but it is worthwhile for electronics, important documents, valuables and boxes you may need to find quickly.
Avoid making boxes too heavy. Books, records, tools and canned food should go into small cartons, with lighter items on top if there is spare room. Large boxes are better for doonas, cushions, toys, towels and clothes. A box that is difficult to lift safely is more likely to be dropped, or to injure someone trying to move it.
Keep one essentials kit out of the truck
Pack a separate bag or clearly marked tub for the first 24 hours. Take it with you in the car, not in the removal truck. Include medications, chargers, keys, wallets, paperwork, basic toiletries, a change of clothes, water bottles, snacks, pet supplies and anything the children need to settle.
For families with babies or young children, add nappies, wipes, bottles, favourite comfort items and a couple of easy meals. If you are moving a longer distance across Victoria, it is worth packing for an overnight delay just in case access, weather or timing changes.
Handle fragile items with care, not just more paper
Wrap plates individually and pack them upright on their edge, rather than flat in a stack. Use plenty of cushioning at the bottom and top of the carton, then fill gaps so items cannot shift. Glasses, vases and ceramics should be wrapped separately, with heavier pieces at the bottom.
For framed pictures and mirrors, protect the corners and keep them upright. Do not place heavy cartons on top. TVs and monitors are safest in their original packaging if you still have it, but a correctly sized box with padding can work well. Take a photo of cable connections before unplugging anything complicated. It saves guesswork when setting up the television or home office again.
Jewellery, important documents, cash, passports and small sentimental items should travel with you. Removalists can carefully transport household goods, but keeping irreplaceable personal items close is the sensible option.
Furniture, beds and awkward household items
Measure large furniture before moving day, including sofas, fridges, bed frames and dining tables. Check the front door, hallways, stairwells, lifts and gates at both properties. A piece that fits comfortably in one home may not make the turn in another.
Dismantle items only when it genuinely makes them safer or easier to move. Bed frames, some dining tables and flat-pack furniture often need to come apart. Keep screws, bolts and small fittings in labelled bags taped securely to the relevant furniture, or place them together in your essentials kit. Take a quick photo before dismantling if reassembly is not obvious.
Empty drawers where possible, especially from tallboys, desks and filing cabinets. This reduces weight and prevents drawers opening during transport. Remove fridge contents, defrost the freezer in advance, and make sure outdoor furniture is clean and dry before it goes into the truck.
Pianos, pool tables, large safes and delicate antiques need a proper plan. These are not standard lift-and-carry jobs. Tell your removalist about them when requesting a quote so the right crew, equipment and protection can be arranged.
Do not forget the shed, garage and outdoor areas
These spaces are often left until last because they are out of sight. They also tend to contain the heaviest, dirtiest and most awkward items. Sort garden tools, sports gear, camping equipment, paint, chemicals and hardware well before the final week.
Drain fuel from mowers and similar equipment if required, and do not pack flammable liquids, gas bottles or hazardous chemicals into general moving boxes. Ask your removalist what they can transport, as safety requirements vary by item. Secure sharp tools and bundle long-handled items together so they are easier to load.
Prepare the house for moving day
The day before the move, finish sealing and labelling cartons, clear walkways and set aside anything that is staying behind. Make sure the removal truck can get close to the property. Reserve parking if needed, check gate access, and let the crew know about steep driveways, stairs, low branches or difficult entry points.
Do a final check of cupboards, the pantry, dishwasher, washing machine, clothesline and shed. These are the places commonly missed when everyone is focused on the main rooms. Keep pets and young children away from loading areas where possible. It is safer for them and lets the crew move efficiently.
If the packing load feels too big, it is reasonable to get help for the fragile items, furniture protection or the full pack. Hawes’s Removals helps Gippsland families with practical packing and moving support, from local Traralgon moves to longer Victorian relocations.
A well-packed home does not need to look perfect. It needs to arrive safely, be easy to unpack, and give your family a calm first night in the new place. Focus on that, keep each box manageable, and let moving day be about getting there rather than scrambling to finish.