Packing up the basement for a move might seem like a daunting task, but in reality, it's not so bad. Just follow these important tips on how to pack a basement and you'll have it done in no time.
TIP: When packing for your move, start with the basement or attic first. You'll feel less overwhelmed since there are less items (generally) to pack up.
Sort through things / Get rid of the unwanted basement items
The basement is similar to an attic where we store things we don't use very often. When you are packing the basement for a move, take some time and get rid of all the items that you don't want to take with you to your new home. When you're organizing the basement, make piles of things you plan to keep, things you plan to donate, and things you plan to throw away. Clearing out the basement (or the attic) is also a good time to have a garage sale.
Gather necessary packing supplies to pack basement
When you're packing up the basement, be sure to use the appropriate packing materials, including:
- Bubble wrap
- Unprinted newspaper
- Sturdy boxes
- A permanent marker
Pack and move the basement items with caution
How you go about packing up the things in your basement will largely depend on what items, in particular, you have down there. Many of these items might be expensive to repair or replace, including your water heater, washing machine, and dryer. So, when you're moving things around, be careful and cautious so as not to damage anything.
The order of packing items in a basement
Though the specific order in which you pack up your basement depends on the kind of items you store in the basement, here are some general tips on packing in the proper order:
Pack up all your small items
- If you use your basement as a laundry room that houses the washer, dryer, and any folding areas, pack those items last. Focus first on the smaller items like screws, bolts, and other hardware which require little attention when packing. Make sure they all are placed and secure in one place.
- When you are packing books and documents, use sturdy boxes and be sure not to pack too many items into a single box. If you overpack a box, the bottom may fall out and you'll have a mess on your hands on the moving day.
- If you keep holiday decorations or seasonal clothing in your basement and it's packed already, just secure the box or container and double-check that it can withstand the move. If the box is too tattered or frayed, then toss it and pack these items in a new one.
Once you've packed up the smaller items in your basement, it's time to move on to larger items.
Prepare and pack your gym equipment
- If you use a basement as your personal home gym, you may have to pack and move heavy items like a treadmill, elliptical, or an entire weight set. To pack a home gym, you'll need sturdy and reinforced boxes to hold dumbbells, free weights, and other heavy objects.
To get more information on packing weight equipment, read our latest guide on how to pack your home gym equipment.
- Packing your treadmill might be easier than you think since many are designed to fold up and don't always weigh as much as you'd expect. If you do find it to be too heavy, then ask some friends, family, or hire professional movers to help move it out of the basement.
Pack your workshop items
- If you have a workshop in your basement, you may have to pack odd shaped tools, rakes, shovels and hammers. Check out our guide to easily pack your items in garage.
Pack your furniture and other household items
If you use your basement as an extra entertaining space you may have sofas or couches, chairs, and a table or two that will need to be packed. Take necessary precautions while packing a sofa in your basement by following the steps listed here:
- Remove all the pillows and cushions and place them in a large plastic bag to protect them from dirt while moving.
- If the sofa has a fold-out bed, secure the folding mechanism before trying to move the couch to prevent it from opening during the move.
- Cover each section of the couch with a protective sheet. The protective sheet will help protect it from dirt and from ripping or tearing. Just make sure to secure the protective sheet so it doesn't slide off during the move.