In the digital age, we find ourselves on the go more than ever before. Whether we’re traveling for work or pleasure, staying efficient is key to staying on a schedule. However, it can be easy to slip up when you’re busy exploring a new country.
Even routine tasks like traveling can run the risk of being more stressful than they need to be if you’re disorganized or inefficient with your packing. The suitcases are too heavy, too big, and you can’t see what’s inside them. You’re running out of time to pack and your suitcase won’t close because there are so many items in it that just don’t fit. And then when you do arrive at your destination, trying to find things in a pile of clothes is a nightmare!
In this article, we will be discussing how these space-saving tools work and how they can make traveling with luggage more manageable – not to mention less stressful on both your mind and your back.
Before you back out on yet another travel opportunity because you ‘don’t feel organized’ take a look at these 8 simple tips for how to pack efficiently.
Tip #1: Take a look at packing cubes.
Packing cubes are little fabric cubes that you put your clothes in before putting them into your bag. They help with compartmentalization, limiting the mess, and providing easy access to clean clothes when you need them.
They come in different sizes and shapes, allowing you to separate your clothes easily even within one bag. This can be helpful if you’re sharing a hostel room with someone or using a shared space at work.
The durable fabric cubes also help protect your clothing from snags or anything that might get spilled on them during travel. And when it comes time to clean them, simply throw them in the washing machine.
Tip #2: Bring a mesh laundry bag for dirty clothes.
A mesh laundry bag is a great way to separate wet and dry items so that they don’t get mixed up or ruined by one another. It can also serve as an additional way to compartmentalize your luggage.
If you’re using shared spaces like dormitories, amenities rooms, or co-working spaces with shared washers and dryers, you won’t have to hunt through the bag trying to figure out which clothes are clean and which ones are dirty.
Tip #3: Pack multi-use clothing items.
Multi-use clothing can really help save space. A good example of this is leggings, which can also be worn as pants if need be. They’re durable and can serve double duty in an emergency situation where you needed to look ‘pull together’ for a presentation at work or a meeting with a new client. This same concept can be applied to shirts too, like bringing a button-up that can be worn in multiple ways like a dress, tied up above the waist for a crop top look, or even worn backward with the buttons in front.
Building a capsule wardrobe is another great way to save space. It’s a wardrobe that focuses on limiting the number of items you take, with an emphasis on mixing and matching what you do bring so there are fewer items in your bag overall.
Tip #4: Roll up clothes instead of folding them.
Rolling clothes together to fit more in your luggage is a great space-saving technique. If you’re using packing cubes, this is an even easier task as the clothes are already separated and ready to be rolled up.
Folding your clothes is going to take up more space since you’re not stacking items on top of one another. The trick is to roll your clothing tightly from the ankles or knees down so that it forms a tight tube shape. You can even fold smaller pieces of clothing into thirds and then roll them up in order to save even more space.
When rolling up your clothes, try to roll them in the same direction. For instance, all of your socks should be rolled up in the same way and so should your underwear and bras. This makes it easier when you are trying to find something in particular as each item will look similar.
Tip #5: Use a toiletry bag for ease of access.
Toiletry bags are great for keeping all of your personal hygiene items in one place and easy to access when you need them. It also keeps them from getting lost at the bottom of your luggage.
Some people like to use a hanging toiletry bag, which keeps the items separate and organized. Others prefer to use a pouch that can be zipped up in order to keep all of the contents secure.
When you’re traveling, your goal is to be as efficient as possible. Make sure that you have two sections: One section is for items that you use daily and want to have easy access to – and the other section should be for items that you don’t need to use as frequently.
Tip #6: Use a packing checklist.
Now that you have your luggage and clothes packed, it’s time to go through a list of everything that’s going into the bag. This is both for safety and security reasons – as well as to ensure that you haven’t forgotten anything at home.
Packing lists are great whether you use them while doing one last sweep through your house to check if you’ve forgotten anything, or as a way of double-checking that the list is complete before you head out.
The list will be especially helpful if you’re checking luggage, as you can make sure that all of your items are on the list before giving them to the airline.
Tip #7: Take advantage of technology.
There are a lot of space-saving tech products that can help you fit more items into your luggage. Some of these items have multiple uses, such as packing cubes which can be used to separate your clean clothes from the dirty ones. They’re also great for keeping your shoes together and organized. Other tech products that will help you save space include a travel-sized iron and mini hairdryer. These smaller-sized appliances are ideal if you don’t want to carry a large one on your trip.
For the electronic devices that you do bring, be sure to have an extra battery or charging station to make sure they stay powered up and ready for use.
You can also use something like a Kindle to store hundreds of books and fit your clothing into the extra space. The same goes for laptops, tablets, and other gadgets that will allow you to stay connected without eating up all your luggage space.
Tip #8: Pack Smarter, not Harder.
Remember that the whole point of this is to save space -and that’s best done by thinking smarter and not harder.
Don’t try to take everything you own with you on your trip, especially if it’s just for a short time. The fewer items you have, the more efficient your packing will be. If there are certain items you use regularly, consider investing in multiples of those items that will last throughout your trip.
The more space-saving techniques you try to apply, the less time it will take you to pack and get ready for your next destination. And isn’t that the whole point?
Many of us are guilty of overpacking. This is especially true when we’re going on short trips or vacations, but it can also happen for long-term travels as well. The more space you take up with your belongings, the less room there is to bring home souvenirs and other items that make traveling so memorable in the first place. If this sounds like something that’s been happening to you too often – then try some of these packing tips next time! You’ll end up saving both money and space without sacrificing any convenience. So before you start planning your next trip, give these tips a try!
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