Essential packing supplies
Use strong double-wall cartons in a few sizes: small for books and heavy items, medium for kitchenware, large for light items like bedding. Add packing paper, bubble wrap, strong tape, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and covers for mattresses.
Keep any carton light enough for one person to lift safely. Heavy items go in small boxes.
Room-by-room packing order
Start with rooms you use least: storage, guest rooms, books and decorations. Pack the kitchen in stages, leaving a basic set of plates and cups until the end. Bedrooms and bathrooms come last.
Finish one room before starting the next, and label each carton with the room and a short list of contents on two sides, not just the top.
Packing fragile items
Wrap glasses and ceramics individually and stand plates on their edge, not flat. Fill gaps so nothing moves when the box is shaken, and mark the box as fragile with an arrow showing which way is up.
Mirrors, glass tabletops, artwork and TVs are safest in purpose-made cartons or custom crates. Original boxes are ideal for electronics if you still have them.
Furniture protection
Dismantle what can be dismantled: bed frames, table legs, wardrobes. Bag and tape screws to the piece they belong to, or keep them in one labelled box. Wrap furniture in blankets or padding, then stretch wrap, and protect corners.
Upholstered pieces and mattresses should be covered to keep them clean in the truck and lift.
What not to pack
Keep passports, documents, jewellery, cash, medicines, chargers and laptops with you. Don't pack flammable or hazardous items such as gas canisters or paint. Use up or give away perishable food, and plan plants separately.
Pack an overnight bag for each person with clothes, toiletries and essentials for the first day in the new home.
Professional packing vs doing it yourself
Packing yourself saves on labour but takes time, and loose or overfilled boxes slow down loading. Professional packers bring the right materials and work quickly, and a mix is common: the crew packs fragile items and the kitchen while you pack clothes and books.
SmileShift offers full and partial packing across Dubai. WhatsApp us at +971 54 766 7436 to plan your move.
