Have enough supplies.
Having enough boxes will make your life easier. Get many more than you think you'll need. Set aside about 10 to use on moving day for bedding, clothing, cleaning supplies, and other last minute items. Buy several rolls of strong plastic packing tape, and use unprinted paper or bubble wrap to wrap household goods. Whatever you use, have enough so packing can proceed smoothly.

Utilise wardrobe boxes.
Order enough for not only your clothes, but also for your duvets, pillows, blankets, closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts and large baskets. Be sure that you don't make the boxes too heavy to lift.

Use colour coding.
Designate a colour for each room of the house (yellow=kitchen, blue=lounge, etc.) Put appropriate coloured stickers next to the box number on the box so movers will know where to put everything. In your new home put a matching sticker on the door to each room.

Keep related things together.
Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, lids with pans. Attach small parts to the item using tape. Use small envelopes to keep picture hooks with pictures and shelf brackets with a bookcase. Keep larger items (such as a cable TV cord) in plastic bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item. As a backup, have a "Parts Box" open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. Keep this box with you, or mark it well with coloured stickers, so it can be easily located on move-in day.

Pack ahead.
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and live out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down cooking utensils and food supplies to bare essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed while you switch to using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect rubbish.)

Use your luggage.
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local moves you'll be able to quickly spot your navy suitcase holding your favourite cardigans, whereas "Box #12" might remain elusive for days.

Keep important papers with you.
Don't pack documents that you might need in an emergency. Keep them in your handbag or briefcase for easy, quick retrieval. Important papers might include: birth certificates, school records, job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more.

Personal boxes.
Use brightly coloured storage boxes, one for each person in the family, as "personal boxes". Let each family member fill theirs with items they'll want right away in the new home. A child's might contain his or her favourite toy, pillow and book. Yours might contain a set of sheets, a towel, a phone, address book, pens, paper and keys.

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