Getting ready for moving day can take some work. Even if you’re getting a full-service move from the best Lake Forest moving company, it may be up to you to keep your stuff organized. Keeping organized can take more work on the front end. But it can save you loads of time – and sanity – once you’re settling into your new home.

Are you wondering exactly how to stay organized for your move? One of the best options is to carefully label boxes as they’re being packed. Labeled boxes help with unpacking, because you can find things more easily, get things into the correct room with little fuss, and generally move through unpacking more quickly.

Different people will give you different advice on ways to label your moving boxes. Here are just four different options you might try:

1.Label with contents

One of the simplest options is to label each box directly with its contents. This makes things simple, especially if you’re not doing 100% of the packing. You can just give your helpers – or movers – a pen, and have them label the boxes with what’s included.

The key here is to make sure that the labels are easy to read, and are legible. You’ll want to be as detailed as possible, but you probably won’t have a lot of room for tons of details. Still, this can be a good place to begin.

2. Label with a number, and then inventory

If you’d like to have your box-by-box inventory a bit more detailed, consider making an inventory list, instead. This approach has a couple of advantages. One is that it allows you to write in more detail what’s in each box. You can make a typed list, so you can fit in more details about a box’s contents. Another advantage is that you don’t have to advertise to the world which boxes contain valuable goods. If your boxes will be accessible to the public during the move – like in the back of an open moving van – this can offer some peace of mind.

For this option, you’ll start by assigning each box a number. Mark the number down on three or four sides of the box, so it’s easy to see if the box is in a big stack. Then, make a list of box numbers. As you pack each box, write down (or type) what’s in the box. Keep the reference list handy so you can easily find that random item you need in whatever box it’s included in.

3. Triage your boxes

When unpacking, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed. One way to avoid this is to triage your boxes. In other words, assign a priority to each box you pack. Boxes full of items you use every day should be unpacked first. Boxes full of bookshelf fillers and knickknacks can wait until last.

You can either color code or number boxes as you pack them to triage them. The goal here is to have only a few top-priority boxes. This will give you a sense of accomplishment in that first few days, if you can work your way through unpacking these highest priority items.

4. Color code your boxes

It’s a good idea to let your movers know where each box is to go in your new home. This helps ensure that you get the most bang for your buck with the services of your Lake Forest movers. They can use their muscle to haul boxes up stairs or generally to the proper room to ensure that you don’t have to do it later.

Simply writing the name of the room on each box may not be enough, especially if your new home has a family room and a living room, or multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. It’ll be confusing for the movers to try to figure out in just a few minutes which room is which.

Instead, color code the boxes. Assign each room in your home a color. Put a colored sticker or duct tape on each box that goes to a room. Then, put a coordinating sticker or duct tape piece on the doorframe of the coordinating room on moving day. The movers will have an easier time knowing where to put each box.