Books may not seem like a packing challenge at first; until you realize how deceptively heavy and fragile they can be. Whether you’re relocating from an apartment in Seattle, WA, a home in Austin, TX, or a rental in Denver, CO, knowing how to pack books for moving is essential to protect your collection and your back.
This Redfin guide covers expert-backed strategies and creative book packing tips to help you pack your books safely and with your book storage solutions with minimal stress.
1. Start by sorting your books
Before you reach for the boxes, take a moment to declutter your collection. According to New Orleans, LA-based interior designer Nomita Joshi Gupta, moving is a great opportunity to decide what you truly want to keep. “Sort your books by category and consider donating or selling the ones you no longer need,” she says. This not only reduces the load but makes unpacking easier when books are already grouped for the right room.
Cloud Nine Dental in Beaverton, OR echoes this strategy and suggests alternating heavy and light books when packing to keep the weight balanced. They also recommend wrapping rare or fragile books with bubble wrap, paper, or even soft t-shirts.
2. Donate or sell unwanted books
Before you start packing, consider donating or selling books you no longer need. This is especially helpful if you’re downsizing or just want to reduce clutter. Not only will this make packing easier, but it can also help others in your community gain access to affordable books. You can donate to local libraries, schools, or charitable organizations, or sell valuable titles online or at used bookstores.
3. Gather packing supplies
Assemble all the supplies you’ll need to keep your collection safe and organized, before you pack a single book. Having everything ready will streamline the process and help avoid last-minute scrambling. Here’s what to gather:
- Small, sturdy boxes to prevent overloading
- Packing tape to seal seams…