Step 1: work at an events company for a year until you feel superior enough to write a post called "How to pack a truck for moving".

Step 2: start with the big boxes, or really anything roughly rectangular. From the front back, fill the truck in rows all the way up to the top. It’s worth it to fiddle with pieces to get as tight a fit as you can. If at all possibly, try to finish with a solid wall.

Step 3: (maybe optional) Once the boxes are in, I like to finish off the rows with mattresses and box springs. Some people use sofas – whatever works: the goal here is to span the width of the truck as high as you can, effectively forming a barrier to keep any shifting boxes out of harm’s way. You’ll need to tie the mattress in place: I use a bowline to secure one end of the rope to the side of the truck, and then a trucker’s hitch to crank it down nice and tight on the other. The animations are a bit confusing but I think it’s worth it to learn – those are the two most useful knots I know.

Step 4: Fill in the rest of the truck with the odd-shaped pieces, chairs, desks, etc. Take apart everything you can, to leave the least amount of wasted space. Take your time to get it tight – nest those chairs, try different angles for lamps, etc.

Step 5: Tie it all down! Even if it’s a "quick" trip across town, all it takes is too-sharp turn or some crazy railroad tracks and your furniture is kindling. I guess that’s it. Really, there are ten thousand good ways to pack a truck, but this works for me. It’s sort of cathartic, in the middle of a terrible move day, to find a perfect way to make a crazy piece fit rather than just throwing it all it randomly…

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