5 Packing Mistakes That Cost You Time (and Sanity)

Planning a move soon? Whether you're relocating across town or preparing for a long-distance transition, how you pack makes all the difference. As a professional organizer for moving in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas and in Rhode Island, parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, Decluttered™ has helped dozens of clients avoid chaos by packing with intention.

If you're packing on your own or just getting started, here are 5 common moving mistakes that can waste time, cost money, and cause unnecessary stress—and exactly how to avoid them!

1. Packing Without Decluttering First (You knew this packing mistake was going to be first!)

Why it’s a mistake: When you pack everything—including the clutter—you’re paying to move things you don’t actually want or need. That means more boxes, more hours, and more overwhelm when you unpack.

What to do instead: Start by clearing out clutter before a move. Focus on items you haven’t used in over a year: clothing, decor, expired pantry goods, old paperwork, and duplicate household items. A little effort now means less to move, less to unpack, and a much smoother transition into your new home. Trust me when I say that while many initially say they do not want to spend money on clearing the clutter, they never regret it when they do!

2. Mixing Items from Multiple Rooms in the Same Box

Why it’s a mistake: It may seem efficient at first, but mixing up kitchen tools with office supplies and random bedroom items makes unpacking far more confusing and is sadly a common packing mistake. The only office items that should be in the kitchen boxes is what you have in your junk drawer, and per moving mistake #1, this should be minimal if you have decluttered.

What to do instead: Stick to room-by-room packing. Label every box with the room name and key contents. At Decluttered™, we take it a step further by using a color-coded dot system that helps movers and clients easily identify where boxes belong. It’s one of our favorite packing hacks for a stress-free move to use both the color dot and room name system.

3. Using the Wrong Packing Materials

Why it’s a mistake: Using old boxes, old towels, or thin tape can lead to broken valuables, crushed items, and a lot of regret. I'm also not a fan of store-bought plastic containers as these tend to get crushed in the corners or lids cracked, thus losing the strong seal that you want with a properly packed box.

What to do instead: Invest in quality packing supplies—or better yet, let a home organizing service help. Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and strong tape for anything delicate or important. Save soft items like linens and clothing for lighter-duty bins or boxes. Note here that some markets offer recyclable plastic bins that are specific for moving without breakage and are great for local moves.

4. Skipping Proper Labels (Or Not Labeling at All)

Why it’s a mistake: Arriving in your new home with a dozen identical brown boxes and no clue what’s inside leads to confusion, wasted time, and frustration.

What to do instead: Use bold, legible labels on at least two sides of every box, clearly stating the room and a brief list of contents. Consistency is key—when you hire Decluttered™ for packing and move management, we ensure everything is clearly labeled and categorized to support a seamless unpacking experience.

5. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Start Packing

Why it’s a mistake:Last-minute packing leads to messy boxes, broken items, and extreme stress. And we hate stress!

What to do instead: Begin packing non-essential items 4–6 weeks before the move. Think books, seasonal items, extra linens, and decor. Leave your daily essentials for the final days, and pack a clearly labeled “Open First” box with everything you’ll need right away (toiletries, chargers, basic tools, coffee gear, paper plates/cups/plasticware etc.).

Want to Avoid These Mistakes Completely?

Packing is time-consuming, emotional, and physically demanding—but it doesn’t have to be.

At Decluttered™, we offer:

• Decluttering services before your move

• Professional packing help

• Unpacking and organizing in your new home

• Move management and downsizing support
  

We’re proud to serve families across Dallas-Ft Worth in Texas and Rhode Island, parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts with efficient, stress-free moving solutions tailored to your needs.

Book a free virtual consultation today and see how our moving and packing services can make your next move your smoothest yet.