Top 7 Winter Moving and Packing Tips

Moving during the winter season can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to packing and transporting your belongings in harsh weather conditions. However, with proper planning, preparation, and the use of appropriate tools and resources, you can minimize the difficulties and make your winter move a success. With the right packing and moving approach, you can make it an easy transition moving to your new home.

Why Is Moving Houses More Difficult During the Winter?

No matter the season, moving houses can be stressful and difficult. However, winter moves are particularly challenging for several reasons. Since there are fewer daylight hours during winter, many people struggle to find enough time when they can safely pack and load their belongings. Add in bad weather and freezing temperatures, and now there are often extra steps that need to be taken to ensure a safe and smooth move to a new home in winter. This combination of factors makes packing, loading and unloading your belongings throughout your move increasingly more stressful. However, whether you are moving to a smaller town or city, using portable storage has several benefits and advantages. 

6 Benefits of Using Portable Storage for Your Winter Move

1. Portable Storage is Convenient and Flexible

Portable storage containers can be delivered to your home, allowing you to pack and load your belongings at your own pace. Once you are ready, the container can be picked up and transported to your new home. This can provide a great deal of flexibility and convenience, especially if you have a busy schedule, unexpected winter storms, and winter weather conditions. 

2. Easy Loading and Unloading

Portable storage containers are typically designed to be loaded and unloaded at ground level, which can make the process much easier and less physically demanding than loading and unloading items from a traditional moving truck. In addition, since the moving containers are dropped off at your door, you are able to safely load and unload them at your leisure. This is very helpful when you may need some extra time to pack and unpack due to having less daylight and harsh winter weather. 

3. Mobile Storage Containers are Weather-resistant

Since portable storage containers are made from durable metal or strong materials, they are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and environments. These storage units are ideal for keeping your belongings safe and protected from the elements, such as cold temperatures, snow, and ice. This is especially helpful if you are moving during the winter months, as you will not need to worry about anything being left outside overnight or even for a few hours since your moving container is in your driveway. 

4. Staging Your Home During The Winter

When staging a home for sale, it is important to declutter and minimize personal items to make the space appear larger and more appealing to potential buyers. A portable storage container can be used to store excess furniture and personal items during the staging process. This allows for a more spacious and neutral appearance in the home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

5. Selling and Moving Homes in Winter

A portable storage container can also be used to store items during the selling process. This can include items that are not being used, such as seasonal decor, clothes, and furniture, which can be kept in storage until the home is sold. In addition, you can get ahead of your packing by storing these items in your storage container before you need to pack up the rest of your home. Also, many portable storage companies also provide the option for fully packed containers to be kept at their secure storage facility until customers are ready for the storage unit to be delivered to their new home. 

6. Affordable Storage and Moving Services

Portable storage provides a flexible and affordable solution for moving and selling houses during the cold winter months. Since the containers are dropped off and picked up at your residences, you do not need to worry about driving or transporting your belongings to your new home. In addition, if the weather is bad, you are able to pack it at your own pace during daylight hours and can take measures to ensure that there are no accidents and injuries in the ice and snow. 

7 Essential Winter Packing and Moving Tips

Cold temperatures, snow, and ice can make the process more difficult and stressful. However, with the right planning and preparation, you can reduce issues and problems that often occur when moving houses during cold and rainy weather. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process of moving homes in winter.

Tip 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare For Winter Weather

Start planning your move well in advance to ensure that you have enough time to prepare for the colder weather. For example, it is important to dress appropriately and stay warm for your move. Be sure to wear layered clothing that can protect you from the elements, such as a hat, scarf, boots, coats, and gloves. Planning on short breaks indoors, or having hot beverages can also help keep you warm in the winter. If you know that your clothes may get wet from rain and snow, then it is a great idea to have a spare set of clothes just in case you need them. 

Tip 2: Have All the Necessary Documents and Info Ready

Make sure you have all of your important documents and information, such as your new address, utility company contact information, and any other important documents, ready. If you know your moving day will be filled with bad weather and rain, then consider keeping your documents in a clear plastic file folder or bad to keep them dry. 

Tip 3: Keep Essentials and An Emergency Kit Close

Pack a separate bag or box with essentials such as warm clothing, blankets, and toiletries that you will need during the move. When moving in bad weather, having an emergency kit close at hand is a great idea. Ideally, you would have some emergency food, water, clothes, first aid, and other essential supplies to ensure that you are prepared. 

Tip 4: Choose the Right Winter Packing and Moving Supplies

It is important to choose the right moving supplies for the winter season. Invest in plastic bins and boxes that are designed for cold weather, as these will help keep your items safe and secure during the move. You can also use packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and furniture pads to protect your items from the cold.

Tip 5: Label boxes and Have Extra Blankets and Tarps

Clearly label all boxes with their contents and the room they belong in to make unpacking easier. Have extra blankets and tarps on hand to cover and protect items from the cold and snow. Packing up and labelling your items before loading them helps save time and can protect them from the weather. If you have cardboard moving boxes, you can place them in large garbage bags that you label to help keep everything dry throughout your move. 

Tip 6: Keep Pathways Clear and Protect Your Floors

Make sure that walkways and driveways are clear of snow and ice to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. If you are moving in the winter, it is important to protect your floors. Place mats on the ground outside your entryway to prevent snow and slush from being tracked inside.

Tip 7: Reserve Your Portable Storage Unit Early

Portable storage containers are a great option for winter moves as they provide a secure and weather-resistant way to store and transport your belongings. Finding the right size of the storage unit for your move and getting it delivered early allows you to slowly declutter, organize, clean, stage, and pack away your belongings whenever you have some spare time in your busy schedule. When packing your unit, be mindful of how you load it, and where you place your various items. For example, try to pack heavier items at the bottom and fragile items nearer to the top of your unit. In addition, be sure to keep anything you might need access to immediately upon arriving at your new house last and closer to the storage unit doors. 

Final Thoughts

Moving during the winter can be a demanding task, but with the right planning and preparation, it can be accomplished smoothly. With some extra steps to protect your belongings and keep yourself safe, you can ensure a successful winter move. With a little extra planning, you can make your winter move easy and ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home in good condition.

Whether you are downsizing and need a safe place to store your excess belongings or you need a flexible moving and storage solution this winter, Make Space Storage has a wide range of options to best meet your needs. With locations from British Columbia to Ontario, we have many local storage facilities and affordable portable storage container rentals across Canada. We have moving and storage services that include secure self-storage units, RV/boat parking storage, portable storage container rentals, and packing supplies for sale. To find out more, contact us today and speak with one of our representatives.