Packing Checklist for Moving in Abu Dhabi: What to Pack First
A simple packing order for clothing, fragile items, furniture, documents and essentials—plus a labelling system that makes unpacking easier.
Packing is faster when it follows an order. Starting with the items you use least keeps daily life manageable while reducing the amount of work left for the final two days.
What to pack first
- Decorations and artwork that are not needed daily.
- Books and archived paperwork.
- Seasonal clothing and spare linens.
- Guest-room items.
- Storage cupboards and low-use kitchen equipment.
Use the right box for the weight
Large boxes are best for lighter bulky items. Dense items such as books should go into smaller cartons so each box remains safe to lift. Fragile items need enough protective material to prevent movement inside the carton.
A labelling system that actually helps
Use three pieces of information: destination room, contents and handling note. For example: “Kitchen – glasses – fragile” or “Master bedroom – bedding – open first”. This makes unloading and unpacking significantly easier.
Clothing and wardrobes
- Separate clothing you will need immediately.
- Keep shoes clean and contained before placing them with clothes.
- Use wardrobe cartons for hanging garments when appropriate.
- Do not place jewellery, passports or high-value items into general clothing boxes.
Fragile items
- Wrap pieces individually when needed.
- Fill empty space so contents do not move freely.
- Keep heavy items below lighter fragile items.
- Mark the box clearly on more than one side.
Furniture and dismantled parts
Keep screws, brackets and small hardware in labelled bags. Photograph complex furniture before dismantling and identify where each set of hardware belongs.
Your essentials bag
Keep passports or IDs, tenancy documents, medicines, phone chargers, keys, basic toiletries, water, a change of clothes and anything needed for children or pets with you.
Items to discuss with the mover
Tell the moving company in advance about unusually fragile, oversized, heavy or high-value items. This allows appropriate packing materials and handling plans to be prepared before moving day.
Use the checklist, then plan the actual move.
Tell RH Movers your property type, locations, access details and preferred moving date.
