How to Pack an Office for Moving
When you think about tough rooms to pack, your home office probably isn’t the first that comes to mind. However, home offices usually require a bit of time and planning to pack and move the right way. Not only are there expensive electronics that require protection, but there are also important documents that require safekeeping, as well as books, decorations, and some furniture that need packing.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed or underprepared - and to avoid damaging laptops and computer monitors - make your own office moving checklist using the recommended packing supplies below and these six easy steps.
1. Pick up the recommended packing supplies
There are a lot of unique and valuable items in the typical home office. Protect your electronics and other office belongings using the recommended packing supplies.
Recommended packing supplies:
- Bubble Bags
- Box / Packaging Paper Tape
- Box Markers with Knife
- Book Box
- Small and Medium Moving Boxes
- Medium TV Kit
- Small, Medium, and Large Electronics Boxes
- Mirror & Picture Box
- Picture Packer Kit
- Packing Paper
- Anti-Static Bubble
- Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
2. Organize your belongings
Step number two mostly applies to paperwork, files, and other physical documents in your office, especially if you’re the type to store loose sheets of paper stacked on a desk instead of inside a file cabinet. Start by going through everything and setting aside what you can shred or recycle. It doesn’t make sense to pack more than you need to, so try to thin your documents as best you can.
Pack your documents
With everything organized, go ahead and pack your documents in a logical way. For example, keep things like medical records, financial paperwork, and other categories together.
- If you have a file cabinet, you can move the cabinet as is. Make sure the drawers are closed tight using the built-in lock so nothing is lost during the move.
- For loosely stored documents and folders, categorize everything then stack it in a Small or Medium Box. Tape the lids shut with Box/Packaging Tape and label your boxes accordingly.
Keep your most sensitive documents with you
Designate a Small Box or bag for your most sensitive documents and take this with you in your personal vehicle car. This may include birth certificates, social security cards, bank information, or anything else that you can’t afford to lose if a box becomes damaged or misplaced during your move.
3. Pack your electronics
Before you begin, you may want to take a photo of each device while it’s still set up so you have something to reference when you plug it back in later. Also, consider backing up the files stored on your computer to an external drive just in case anything were to happen to your computer during the move.
Unplug and organize
Start by shutting the power off then disconnecting the cords from your computer, monitor, Wi-Fi router, printer, etc. To stay organized, coil each cord neatly and keep it with related equipment. Use a strip of tape to keep your coils intact and label each strip with the device name so nothing is misplaced.
Use Anti-Static Bubble wrap to shield your smaller electronics from static electricity. With your devices unplugged and wrapped up, you can start packing them in moving boxes. Use a Small Electronics Box for your routers, keyboard, and mouse, and a Large Electronics Box for the printer and scanner.
How to pack a computer
Given the value of today's home and gaming computers, it pays to use professional-grade computer packing supplies when packing your computer for moving. For starters, the U-Haul Medium TV Kit is specially designed to pack computer monitors up to 40” using an eight-point protection system that provides built-in cushion. This box is also designed to keep your monitor upright so you don’t have to worry about damage to the screen.
When packing the other computer parts, once again wrap those devices in an Anti-Static Bubble before packing them away to provide maximum padding and protection from static electricity. Pack your computer tower upright in a Medium Electronics Box. Keep all cords in the same box to remain organized. To avoid any shifting, fill the gaps with anti-static Biodegradable Packing Peanuts. Don’t forget to label your computer box as “fragile” with a Box Marker.
4. Pack the fragile items and decorations
With your electronics securely packed, you can move on to the decorations and furnishings in your home office, starting with the fragile items.
How to pack framed photos
If you have framed photos or memorabilia in your office, do yourself a favor when packing pictures by providing these items the best protection with Bubble Bags. Simply place each frame in its own bag, then lay your frames in a Small Box with sheets of packing paper in between for added protection. Add some folded towels or crumpled packing paper to the empty spaces to minimize shifting.
For larger paintings and photos, the Mirror and Picture Box will keep everything in one piece during transit. Similar to the above-mentioned TV Kit, this specialty box is designed to accommodate mirrors or frames and hold them in an upright position with plenty of padding so there’s a minimal chance of broken glass or chipped frames. Pair the Mirror and Picture Box with a Picture Packer Kit for the best protection.
How to pack fragile office items
Home offices often have plenty of memorabilia and meaningful décor (i.e. trophies, awards, desk knickknacks, etc.). Any fragile varieties items should be wrapped in Packing Paper and carefully stowed in a Small or Medium Box. Use Biodegradable Packing Peanuts to fill gaps, as you described previously.
5. Pack books, magazines, and physical media
Whether you use a Book Box or a standard Small or Medium Moving Box, packing your books, magazines, and other paper media doesn’t require too much effort or planning. Just be sure that when you’re packing your books set them in the box with the spine-side facing down. Other physical media can be stacked in a standard cardboard box of any size.
Packing Made EasierSM
U-Haul has all the packing supplies and resources you need to move successfully. For additional packing solutions, check out these packing tips and shop for moving and packing supplies.