Each year, over 40 million Americans pack up and move into a new home.
Though many Americans are doing their reading on an electronic device these days, many people still prefer the real pages of a book. As a result, you might have accumulated a lot of books over the years. Now it’s time to pack them up for your upcoming move.
It’s essential to strategically organize and pack your books to make the move easier.
Here are several tips on how to pack your boxes of favorite books.
Packing Tips for Your Books
Packing your books shouldn’t cause you stress. Here are some book-packing tips for an easier move.
1. Cull Through Your Library
Moving is the perfect time to downsize the number of books on your shelves.
Start the book-packing process a month or two before your move. Look through your book collection and see if there are some books you can part with. Make a few passes at it to make sure you get everything.
Drop those books off at Goodwill or see if your local library accepts book donations.
2. Gather Small, Sturdy Boxes
Select small but sturdy boxes for packing your heavy books. Save the larger boxes for moving blankets, pillows, and lighter weight stuff.
Invest in book boxes with handles to make them easier to lift.
3. Pack Heaviest Books on the Bottom
There are a few different ways to pack each book box to make moving easier. Start by lining the bottom of the box with packing paper. Place the heaviest books on the bottom.
Grouping the books by size makes them easier to place in the box while you pack.
Another way to pack up your books is to line the inside perimeter of the box with the larger hard covered books. Then, put the smaller, softer books in the middle. This helps them stay secure.
4. Watch the Weight
Keep in mind that the weight of books adds up fast when packing. Pack the bigger books at the bottom of the box with the spines alternating up and down.
You can also keep your book boxes lighter by putting fewer books in and packing lighter items like stuffed animals, hand towels, or clothes in between and on top to help keep the books secure. Now the boxes are lighter, and the books won’t shift as much.
5. Use Packing Tape for Reinforcement
Be sure to use plenty of heavy-duty packing tape. Place a few reinforcement pieces of tape on the bottom to be sure the box can handle the load.
6. Be Creative About Packing Books
When you are packing stacks of books, you don’t have to pack them in a box. Try packing them in a small, sturdy suitcase on wheels.
Sturdy, reusable grocery bags with handles may be another option. These bags tend to be smaller than boxes, so the weight of the books is more manageable.
Get Packing
Now that you know the best way to pack books for moving, it’s time to call in the professionals to help you with your move. Click here to head over to our contact page.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about boxing up your valued possessions in preparation for your big move. We’ll help you relocate.