Packing a day-one moving box or bag full of home move essentials is a simple way to make your move less stressful. Having what you need for the first day in your new home to hand saves you from hunting through boxes when you’re already exhausted. So, what should you include in your moving essentials bag?
What is your day-one moving box?
Moving home involves packing all of your belongings away carefully to protect them from damage, but there are some essentials you will want access to from the moment you arrive. Hunting through boxes, undoing bubble wrap and surrounding yourself with random items is stressful, especially before you’ve had your first cup of tea.
That’s why our moving experts recommend packing a box or bag with all your day-one moving essentials. This is an easily accessible collection of the items you’ll need as soon as you arrive in your new home. Having everything in one place means you can start unpacking at your own pace, without having to desperately hunt for your phone charger in the three boxes labelled electronics.
Should I pack moving day essentials in a box or a bag?
Packing your day-one essentials separately is a common hack for making moving easier, but different sources refer to an essentials box or bag.
Ideally, we recommend packing both. Pack an essentials bag for each person moving, filled with personal items. Then, pack your day-one moving box with shared items that everyone will want access to.
Keep your personal bag with you in the car or while you travel. You can also keep your day-one box with you, or if it’s going in the moving van, make sure it is the last thing to be loaded so it can be the first thing unloaded.
Top tip! Label your day-one moving box on every side so you can find it even when stacked with other boxes
What to pack in your day-one moving box to make your move easier
In your personal moving essentials bag:
- A clean change of clothes for tomorrow and pyjamas
- A toiletries bag with toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant
- Medications, sanitary towels or tampons
- A towel
- Clean bedding or a sleeping bag
- Charger for your phone and other essential electronics
- Headphones
- Tablet, books or your favourite entertainment
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Cash for movers if that’s how you’ve agreed to pay
Top tip! If you don’t want to pack food to move with you, research your new local supermarket ahead of time and make a quick visit for essentials as soon as you arrive
In your shared day-one moving box:
- Toilet paper
- Hand soap
- One set of cutlery, a plate or bowl and a mug for each person
- Coffee, tea, sugar and spoons
- A kettle
- Food for breakfast tomorrow
- Washing up liquid, a sponge and a dish towel
- A first aid kit
- A tool kit with screwdrivers, Allen keys, scissors, a utility knife, tape and a torch
- Pet food and bowl
- Bin bags
- Your essential paperwork and documents for move day
- A pen and a notebook
Top tip! If you have plastic or metal plates, pack these in your day one box rather than ceramics. They’ll be lighter, and won’t need to be bubble wrapped saving you space
How to pack a day-one moving box
Not all of these items will apply to your move. If you don’t have pets, you don’t need to make sure to have their food and bowl handy!
When it comes to packing your day-one essentials box, use this list as a starting point. Then, think of all the items you need to get ready for bed and get started in the morning. This is what you should be packing in your essentials box.
Here’s a top hack for making sure you bring everything you need. Get a pack of small stickers, such as gold stars or green dots. A week before the move, go through your normal bedtime and morning routine, putting a sticker on every item you use. Then, make a list of everything that has a sticker on it.
This is your checklist for your moving essentials box. Make sure that everything you put a sticker on is packed in your day-one bag or box, and you’ll have everything you need on moving day and the day after.
