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Moving house is one of life’s most exciting milestones — a fresh start, a new suburb, a new chapter. But let’s be honest: packing is nobody’s favourite part. And for many Melbourne families and businesses, it’s where things go wrong before moving day even begins.
At Gem Movers, we’ve helped thousands of Melburnians relocate across the city and interstate. Over the years, we’ve seen the same packing slip-ups happen again and again — from Fitzroy terrace houses to South Yarra apartments to sprawling family homes in the eastern suburbs.
The good news? Every single one of these mistakes is completely avoidable.
Here are the 10 most common packing mistakes Melbourne residents make — and exactly how to fix them.
1. Starting to Pack Too Late
This is the number one mistake, and it happens to almost everyone. Moving week arrives, and suddenly you’re surrounded by a mountain of unpacked belongings with nowhere near enough time to do it properly.
The mistake: Thinking packing only takes a weekend.
The fix: Start packing non-essential rooms — think spare bedrooms, attic storage, and decorative items — at least 4 to 6 weeks before your move date. Create a weekly packing schedule and stick to it. Your future self will thank you enormously.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Work backwards from your moving day. Assign each room a “pack-by” deadline so nothing is left to the last minute.
2. Using the Wrong Boxes
Not all boxes are created equal. Using random, mismatched, or flimsy boxes from the local bottle shop is a recipe for crushed belongings and a very stressful day.
The mistake: Grabbing free boxes from the supermarket without considering their size, strength, or history.
The fix: Invest in quality, purpose-built moving boxes in a range of sizes. Use small boxes for heavy items like books and crockery. Use large boxes for light, bulky items like pillows and duvets. Wardrobe boxes are a game-changer for hanging clothes.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: We supply professional-grade packing materials across Melbourne. Ask us about our packing kits — it’s one of the smartest investments you can make for your move.
3. Overpacking Boxes Until They’re Too Heavy
We’ve all done it. You find a rhythm, you’re packing fast, and before you know it you’ve crammed so much into a box that two people can barely lift it.
The mistake: Filling large boxes with heavy items until they’re dangerously overfull.
The fix: Follow the “15 kg rule” — if a box is too heavy for one person to comfortably carry, it’s too heavy. Heavy items like books, kitchenware, and tools should always go in smaller boxes. Lighter items like linen and soft toys can fill the big ones.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Overpacked boxes are also more likely to split at the bottom during a carry — which is as bad as it sounds. Always reinforce box bases with extra tape.
4. Not Using Enough Packing Paper or Bubble Wrap
Melbourne’s roads are great — most of the time. But even the smoothest van journey involves vibrations, bumps, and shifting loads. Fragile items need proper protection.
The mistake: Wrapping breakables loosely or skipping protective material altogether.
The fix: Wrap every fragile item — glasses, ceramics, picture frames, electronics — individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Fill any empty space in boxes with crumpled paper, foam, or soft items like tea towels. Boxes should feel solid when gently shaken, not rattly.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Use the “shake test” on every packed box. If you can hear movement inside, it needs more padding.
5. Forgetting to Label Boxes Clearly
This one seems obvious — and yet it’s one of the most skipped steps. Unlabelled or vaguely labelled boxes create enormous headaches at the other end of a move.
The mistake: Writing “Kitchen” on 14 different boxes with no further detail, or not labelling at all.
The fix: Label every box on at least two sides (not the top, which gets covered by other boxes). Include the destination room, a brief contents description, and any handling notes like “FRAGILE” or “THIS SIDE UP.”
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Use a colour-coded labelling system — assign a colour to each room and use matching stickers. It makes directing removalists on the day incredibly efficient.
6. Packing Items You Should Throw Away
Moving house is the perfect opportunity for a life-changing declutter — and most people waste it entirely.
The mistake: Paying to pack, transport, and unpack items you no longer want, need, or even remember owning.
The fix: Before you pack a single box, do a ruthless room-by-room declutter. Donate, sell, or bin anything that hasn’t been used in the past 12 months. Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Vinnies drop-offs across Melbourne make it easy to offload items quickly.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Less stuff = fewer boxes = lower moving costs. Decluttering isn’t just liberating — it saves money.
7. Packing Important Documents and Valuables With Everything Else
Important documents can easily get buried in a box marked “Office Misc” and not surface again for weeks. In some cases, they disappear entirely.
The mistake: Packing passports, birth certificates, financial documents, jewellery, and medications with regular household items.
The fix: Gather all important documents and valuables into a dedicated “essentials” bag or box that travels with you personally — not in the removalist truck. This includes:
- Passports and identification
- Medicare cards and medical records
- House settlement documents
- Jewellery and sentimental items
- Medications and prescriptions
- Phone chargers and laptop
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Pack an “open first” box too — kettle, mugs, teabags, toilet paper, and a change of clothes. You’ll want these immediately when you arrive at your new home.
8. Disassembling Furniture Without a Plan
Taking apart flat-pack furniture or bed frames feels productive. Putting them back together three weeks later when you can’t find the screws is absolutely not.
The mistake: Disassembling furniture and losing the hardware, instructions, or small components.
The fix: As you disassemble each piece, place all screws, bolts, and fittings into a small zip-lock bag, label it with the furniture name, and tape it directly to the item. Keep any original assembly instructions if you have them.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Take photos of your furniture and cable setups before dismantling. It’s far easier to reassemble when you have a reference image on your phone.
9. Ignoring Melbourne’s Parking and Access Challenges
Melbourne’s mix of inner-city terrace streets, apartment building rules, and suburban driveways can catch movers completely off guard. This is particularly relevant in areas like Carlton, Richmond, Fitzroy, St Kilda, and the CBD.
The mistake: Not thinking about truck access, parking restrictions, or building lift bookings until moving day.
The fix: In the weeks before your move:
- Check council parking rules for your street — you may need to apply for a parking permit for the removalist truck
- Contact your apartment building manager to book the service lift and loading bay
- Measure doorways and stairwells if you’re moving large furniture
- Inform your removalist about any access challenges so they can bring the right vehicle
💡 Gem Movers Tip: As experienced Melbourne removalists, we know the city’s tricky streets and access points. Always tell us your full address details upfront and we’ll advise accordingly.
10. Not Protecting Your Floors and Walls on Moving Day
The excitement of being in a new home can fade fast when you notice scuffs on freshly painted walls or scratches on timber floorboards — damage that happened during the move.
The mistake: Moving heavy furniture and boxes through the house without protecting surfaces.
The fix: Before the move begins, lay down floor runners or protective matting along the main pathways through both properties. Use furniture sliders or felt pads under heavy items. When moving large pieces through doorways and hallways, take it slowly and use padding on corners.
💡 Gem Movers Tip: Gem Movers uses protective blankets, mattress covers, and furniture wrapping on every job as standard practice — because we treat your home like our own.
Final Thoughts: Pack Smarter, Move Better
Packing well isn’t just about protecting your belongings — it’s about setting yourself up for a smooth, low-stress moving day. When boxes are labelled clearly, items are packed safely, and nothing is left to the last minute, everything runs faster and more efficiently.
Whether you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment in Brunswick or a five-bedroom family home in Glen Waverley, avoiding these common mistakes will make your Melbourne move a genuinely positive experience.
Ready to move? The team at Gem Movers is here to help. We offer professional packing services, supply quality packing materials, and bring years of experience moving Melbourne families and businesses safely across the city and beyond.
👉 Get a free quote today and let’s make your next move your best move.
Gem Movers is Melbourne’s trusted removalist service, helping families and businesses relocate safely, quickly, and stress-free across all Melbourne suburbs and interstate. Contact us to find out how we can help with your next move.
