Moving house in itself can be a stressful and time-consuming process, even without having to find the right way to pack all your belongings. And even then, for most people, finding the best way to pack books for moving is probably not at the top of their to-do list. However, knowing how to do it properly will be beneficial in the long run as it will streamline the whole process and ensure that none of your books get damaged during transport. That’s why, we’d like to share our tips for packing your books safely and efficiently.
Sort your book collection
- Decide which books you want to pack: Before we start talking about how to pack books for moving, there’s one question you need to ask yourself: Do you want to take all your books with you to your new house?
There are probably books on your shelves that were gifted to you or bought on impulse, even though they don’t really suit your reading taste. Or maybe you still have old textbooks that you do not plan to open again. Even if you’re an avid reader and the thought of leaving behind even a small part of your collection seems horrible, there are probably at least a few books you don’t really need to take with you. So take a good look at your library and decide what is worth keeping and what you can part with.
When you decide which books you want to leave behind, don’t throw them away! You can gift some of them to your friends and family, sell them to get extra money or donate to charity or your local library, among other things. - Divide your books into categories: Now comes the time to sort the books you need to pack for the move. You can, for example, group them by size to make packing easier; thematically or alphabetically, which will make it easier to navigate the boxes and organise your library when unpacking; or by separating work/school-related books from the rest to make finding them easier.If your collection includes antique books or other valuable pieces, you need to be especially careful when packing them! You may want to choose smaller boxes and add that additional layer of bubble wrap for extra security.
Pick the right boxes
While it may be tempting to take the biggest box and pack as many books as possible at once to speed up the packing process, it’s not the best idea. Remember that each book box you pack will have to be carried to the moving van and then to your new place. And even though a single book is not that heavy, a whole box of them definitely will be.
- So which type of moving boxes do you need for packing books? The best option will be medium or small boxes made of sturdy cardboard.
- Remember to secure the boxes before packing! You can either buy new boxes or use any you already have that are in the right size but always make sure to reinforce the bottom of each box with packing tape to ensure it won’t open when lifted.
How to pack books for moving
Packing materials you’ll need
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Packing paper
- Scissors
- Marker
Choose the best method for packing books
How you pack books depends on their type, number and sizes, as well as the size of the boxes. Our three recommendations for packing books are:
- Flat: Stack your books on top of each other. If they are in different sizes, place the biggest ones at the bottom.
- Spines down: Lining your books next to each other with their spines facing the bottom of the box. Even though it may seem more convenient to pack books with their spines up to be able to see the title, it can result in bent corners and damaged covers and, therefore, should be avoided.
- Standing: Pack your books in the same position as they are on your shelves with their spines facing the sides of the box. This method can be used when packing hardback books, but paperbacks and books with paper covers can easily get damaged, so we suggest caution if packing this way.
How to pack different types of books
- Hardbacks: These you can pack either upright, flat or spine down. Hardback books are often more valuable, so you may want to consider wrapping each book in packing paper or bubble wrap for added protection.
- Paperbacks: Due to the soft cover, paperbacks are quite easy to damage, so you should be extra careful when packing them. You can place them flat or spine first in your boxes, but make sure to avoid bending the edges.
- Valuable books: Regardless of the cover type, if you have any items of value in your collection, e.g., antique books, each should be securely wrapped in packing paper and bubble wrap before packing.
Seal and label the book boxes
Once the box is filled, use tape to seal it properly. You don’t want it to open and the books to end up scattered on the floor. Now your box is almost ready for transport, all that’s left is labelling it. The label should inform that there are books inside and where the top of the box is to make sure it doesn’t end up upside down during transport.
5 Useful packing tips for packing and transporting books
- When packing books for a move, remember that they will need to be unpacked! Instead of just placing your books in different boxes at random, pack them in a way that will make it easier to unpack later on. Set aside the books you may look for first and pack them in a separate box. And if you want your new bookcase to be organised in the same way as the old one, keep your books in the same order as on the shelves when packing them.
- Keep track of what is in each box! You don’t necessarily need to know every single book in each box, but if your books are packed by genre or alphabetically, add such information to the label. This will make it much easier to find what you’re looking for when unpacking.
- Keep in mind that packed books are heavy! Even if you use small boxes, they are still going to weigh quite a bit when filled with books. Be careful when lifting and carrying them to avoid accidents and injuries.
- Start packing your books early! Unlike, for example, clothes or kitchen appliances, books are not among the essentials you need to have access to until the very last minute before you move. That’s why it’s best to get it out of the way early. Plus, if you run out of boxes or packing materials, you will have enough time to get more without having to worry about deadlines.
- Don’t leave empty spaces in book boxes! Whichever packing method you choose, always make sure to fill any gaps left in the box, e.g. with crumpled packing paper, clothes or towels, to prevent books from moving during transport and protect them from damage.
Hire professional packing and moving services for a quick and hassle-free move!
If you need help with packing and moving your belongings, it’s best to leave it to the experts! At W&W Movers, we have years of experience with small and big removals, and thanks to our expertise and professionalism, we’ll be able to safely pack and transport your things without any issues! Contact us and let us know how we can help you!
