Packing a moving van can be almost as overwhelming as moving itself, and arranging your furniture in a way that maximizes your space and minimizes damage is a tricky endeavour. But if you know how to pack a moving van the right way, then the task will be easy and even fun. Follow these steps to find out how to do it.

If you want to be really detailed and organized, do a walk-through of your house and note the order in which items are loaded. Make a list and group similar sized boxes together. This will make moving day go a lot smoother and faster.

1. Determine the right size van rental needed

   Start your move off on the right foot by choosing the right size van to hire. While you may be tempted to save money and opt for the smaller moving van option, you should know that in the long run, this could end up costing you time and money. If the hire van is too small to fit all of your belongings, you’ll have to exchange it for a larger size or attempt several trips back and forth. Either way, it’s sure to be a time-suck and a major headache.

   To choose the right size hire van for your next move, be sure to read about our guides and online explanation of how much stuff can fit inside each of our varying size options. For instance, our Large Peugeot Boxer model van can fit a max load of up to 1,485 kgs (about 6 fridge freezers) and is well capable of moving a one or two-bedroom home. When in doubt about the size, we also recommend calling our knowledgable van representatives directly for advice on 0151 922 4991. Finally, don’t forget to double-check whether or not the van comes with a loading dock (tail lift). This will make it easier to pack all of your furniture, large boxes, appliances and heavy belongings into the van.

2. Gather all supplies

   Before you begin loading a moving van, be sure to gather all necessary supplies for the move. Besides sturdy boxes, plastic wrap and packing tape, you may also need a dolly (sack truck) to help load heavy items, as well as furniture pads or blankets to add extra protection while the van is in transport. If you do not have a sack truck, don’t worry as Easirent stock plenty for hire!

   When loading a moving van, you want to make sure every item has been packed properly with plenty of protection. This means using furniture pads or moving blankets to fill in the gaps between boxes and furniture items. Not only will this prevent things from shifting while on the road, but it will also prevent items from scraping up against each other. In addition to furniture pads, you’ll need a mattress bag to cover your mattress and moving straps for holding items in place. To find moving boxes and supplies, have a shop around online for the best deal. Remember, the more the better – running out of boxes mid-move would be much worse and you can always gift leftover boxes to family and friends who need them.

3. Disassemble furniture

   Next, disassemble your furniture before you begin loading it onto a moving van. This will help maximize your space and distribute the weight of heavy furniture more evenly. For instance, by taking the legs off of a dining table, you’ll be able to store the table upright on the van without having the legs stick out. This will leave more room for your belongings, and you’ll be able to place the table legs in a different part of the van to help even out the weight.

4. Load largest and heaviest items first

   Ready to begin packing a moving van? Start with the largest and heaviest items first. This includes mattresses, bed frames, tables, chairs, refrigerators, washer/dryers, couches, sectionals and coffee tables. Given the weight and size of these items, they should be on the bottom of your moving van and not placed on top of other boxes and belongings. When putting couches, headboards and tables onto a moving van, be sure that they are placed in an upright position. We also recommend placing them closer to the front of the van (near the cab). Tip: be sure to use moving straps to hold furniture items and heavy belongings in place.

5. Load lightest items last

   Your second round of items should include medium to lightweight boxes and appliances. When loading these onto the moving van, be sure to place them on top of furniture and appliances, and not underneath, where they could be crushed. If stacking moving boxes, we recommend using moving straps to hold these in place as well. When packing fragile items on a moving van, such as a mirror or a box full of collectables, jewellery and trinkets, be sure to pack them at the very top of the pile. We also recommend bringing fragile items and important documents with you separately. This way, you won’t lose or ruin them during the trip.

Other quick packing tips

• Leave moving day essentials in an easy-to-reach spot in the van.
• In addition to using mattress bags to protect your mattress, use moving blankets or plastic wrap to protect upholstered couches and chairs.
• Pack kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers, microwaves and blenders, inside of a box before putting them on the van.
• Recruit friends to help with the loading and unloading process – especially if moving heavy furniture.
• All rugs should be rolled up and secured in plastic wrap to save room on the van.