The Belfast Home Mover’s Guide to Packing, Storing & Moving Without Losing Your Mind

So, you’re moving house in Belfast? First off – congrats! 🎉 New digs, fresh start, maybe even a shorter walk to the chippy. But before you crack open the prosecco, there’s the small matter of packing your entire life into boxes without chaos reigning supreme.

That’s where we at ExtraStore Storage come in. Not only do we give you secure, automated storage space in minutes (literally – book online, rock up, move in), but we’ve also pulled together the ultimate guide to packing, prepping and protecting your stuff before you store it or move it into your shiny new home.

Your packing, storing & moving guide:

  1. Gather your packing arsenal.
  2. Sort & categorise like a pro.
  3. Label like your future self depends on it (because it does).
  4. Store smart before your move.
  5. The big move.

Step 1: Gather Your Packing Arsenal

Forget raiding the supermarket for dodgy banana boxes. You’ll need the proper gear if you want your belongings to survive the move in one piece. Here’s the checklist:

  • Sturdy cardboard boxes (small, medium, and large - variety is key)
  • Wardrobe boxes (because nobody likes crumpled suits or your nan’s wedding dress stuffed in a bin bag).
  • Plastic storage boxes (handy for stuff that hates dump)
  • Bubble wrap (yes, it’s fun to pop, but save some for the fragile things)
  • Packing paper / tissue paper (for kitchenware, glass and ceramics)
  • Strong tape (pro tip: buy the good stuff - not Poundland tape that peels off in an hour)
  • Stretch wrap / cling film (perfect for keeping drawers shut and sofas dust-free)
  • Protective covers (for mattresses, rugs and soft furnishings - keeps moths and dirt out)
  • Labels & markers (colour coding = sanity saver when you unpack)
  • Scissors & box cutters (obvious, but you’ll thank us later)
  • Gloves (moving day = splinters and blisters without them)

Basically: if Blue Peter had a “Moving House” special, this would be the craft table.

Step 2: Sort & Categorise Like a Pro

The biggest mistake movers make? Shoving everything randomly into boxes and thinking, “I’ll deal with it later.” Future You will not thank Present You for this chaos. So here’s how to break it down:

Furniture & Big Stuff

  • Disassemble beds, tables, and wardrobes where possible.
  • Keep screws and bolts in labelled sandwich bags and tape them to the furniture.
  • Wrap sofas, rugs, and mattresses in protective covers.

Kitchen & Fragiles

  • Pack plates vertically (like records) so they don’t crack.
  • Use bubble wrap or towels between glasses.
  • Out heavier items at the bottom, lighter on top.

Clothes & Fabrics

  • Everyday clothes? Fold them into boxes or suitcases.
  • Seasonal or long-term storage? Use wardrobe boxes or vacuum-sealed bags.
  • Protect woollens or natural fibres with breathable covers to stop pests.

Electronics & Gadgets

  • Use original boxes if you’ve still got them (rare, we know).
  • Otherwise, bubble wrap and box them with cables neatly labelled.
  • Remove batteries (especially lithium ones - they’re not allowed in storage).

Books & Paperwork

  • Small boxes only. Books get heavy fast, and you don’t want to test your back’s limit.
  • Important paperwork? Keep a “do not store” folder handy for essentials like passports and house contracts.

Miscellaneous & Personal Bits

  • Sentimental items (family photos, heirlooms) should be packed carefully and ideally kept with you, not stored.
  • Decorative items like lamps, mirrors, and artwork? Wrap, pad, and mark as fragile.

Step 3: Label Like Your Future Self Depends on It (Because It Does)

Here’s where the Gen Z hack meets mum’s wisdom: colour-coding.

  • Red = Kitchen
  • Blue = Bedroom
  • Green = Living Room
  • Yellow = Bathroom

Stick coloured labels on boxes and scribble what’s inside: “Kitchen – Plates & Mugs” beats “Random Stuff #7” any day. Bonus points if you number boxes and keep a master list on your phone.

Step 4: Store Smart Before You Move

Sometimes moving dates don’t line up (cheers, Belfast property market 🙄). That’s when self storage saves your bacon. With ExtraStore:

  • You can book online or call us to help on 028 9602 2920.
  • Drive straight up, load your unit, lock up
  • Keep your stuff safe until moving day actually arrives.

While storing:

  • Put big furniture at the back, lighter boxes up front.
  • Stack carefully (heaviest on the bottom).
  • Leave a walkway inside your unit so you don’t have to play Jenga every time you need a box.

Step 5: The Big Move

When moving day comes: 

  • Pack an “essential box” with kettle, mugs, tea bags (Belfast survival kit), toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes.
  • Load the van in order of priority - last in = first out.
  • Breathe. You’ve done the hard part already.

One last thing from ExtraStore 

Moving house doesn’t need to be a nightmare. With the right prep, packing materials, and a bit of organisation, you can glide from old house to new without breaking a sweat (or your nan’s china set).

And remember – if you need a halfway house for your belongings, ExtraStore Storage Belfast is ready for you 24/7. Book online, show up, move in – it’s that easy.