If you consider yourself a self-declared bookworm, then we’ll venture to say you probably have quite an impressive book collection. Maybe you’ve become obsessed with collecting mystery novels or have a penchant for self-care books. Whatever is in your unique and wonderful book collection, you must learn how to pack it up properly during your next move.
But what exactly is the best way to pack books for moving? We’re glad you asked! In our guide on how to pack books for moving, we’ve gathered all the best tips and tricks for transporting your books from point A to point B.
Whether you’re temporarily moving your book collection into a storage unit, packing it up for a cross-country move, or transporting it to your new digs across town, follow our advice to help ensure your books arrive in one piece.
Before you even pack your books for moving, we recommend running an inventory to see if you can downsize your collection. After all, what’s the point of packing up certain books and lugging them to a new home if you never plan on reading them again?
Go through your entire collection of books and determine if there are any you can part ways with. Donate them to a good cause, host a yard sale, swap some with friends, or give them as gifts. For example, can you give that recipe book that you never used to your father-in-law, who loves to cook? Or can you give those first-grade reading-level books your daughter outgrew to your local charity? Don’t give away books you cherish dearly or enjoy rereading, but be honest with yourself about the books you never touch.
Once you have a more manageable group of books left in your pile, you can proceed to the next step of our guide on packing your books for moving.
It’s time to stock up on all the appropriate packing supplies. We recommend gathering these before moving day, so you have everything ready to start packing up immediately.
First, you’ll need some cardboard boxes. Remember, your book collection is heavy, so it might be best to split it into several small cardboard boxes to make it easier to lift. Then, you’ll want to grab some scissors, packing tape, and a marker to label the outside of your boxes. It’s also a good idea to pick up some bubble wrap and packing paper to add some cushioning to the boxes, while acid-free tissue paper is ideal for wrapping rare or delicate books.
So, what are the best ways to pack books for moving? While you can pack your cardboard moves in several ways, we suggest placing your book’s spines down in the box, stacking them flat on their backs, or standing them up like they’re on a bookshelf. Organize your books by size and pack similar-sized books together. As you do so, wrap the acid-free tissue paper around your favorite antique books to give them extra padding.
Once you’ve arranged your books inside the boxes, use your bubble wrap or packing paper to fill in any gaps. This will help prevent your books from moving around and rubbing up against each other during your move.
Seal the cardboard boxes with some packing tape and use the marker to label the outside of the box. You can always just write “books” on the outside of the book, but if you want to get ultra-organized, you can label the outside with the genre or type of books inside, so you know exactly what is in each box. Also, if any of the boxes are particularly heavy, you might want to note that on the outside so you can take the proper precautions when lifting it.
Finally, the last step involves physically moving them to your next destination. If you’re moving them on your own, be sure to lift with your legs, take breaks between each load, and only carry what you can comfortably handle. If your boxes are especially heavy, use a dolly or ask someone to give you a hand.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for advice on moving and packing your belongings. Here at Stor-It, we’re the experts at all things moving and storing. Whether you need advice on storing your collectibles or arranging your items in your storage unit, we’ve got you covered. Moreover, we’re also the oldest and largest storage facility in Idaho, with locations all around Treasure Valley.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you during your next move.