Packing tips every traveller should know before their next big trip

Before you jet off on your next adventure, spare some thought for the way you pack your bags. While it’s easy to throw a week’s worth of clothes and underwear into your suitcase willy-nilly, there’s an art to packing that will save you space and time. Forget having to trawl through piles of clothing to find what you’re looking for. Read on for our packing tips for a suitcase that Marie Kondo would be proud of.

Make a list

Like everything that requires careful thought and consideration, it’s best to start by making a list before you do any actual packing. Jot down everything you think you’ll need and go from there. Once you have your list, start laying out clothes and everything you need on a bed before beginning the packing process.

Cull the clothing

Once you’ve laid all your clothes out on your bed, it’s a good idea to go back and cull any unnecessary items. Will you really need that third knit sweater or will two suffice? Just like Coco Chanel advised removing one item before leaving the house, it’s a good idea to do a little culling before packing your suitcase.

Invest in packing cubes

Seasoned travellers swear by packing cubes. They’re a great storage solution and come in a variety of sizes which fit neatly inside your suitcase. They have the added benefit of separating your clothing and keeping loose items together, rather than strewed all over your suitcase. Use one cube for t-shirts, one for bottoms and one for underwear and so forth. You’ll be pleased with your decision when you’re looking for a particular item in a hurry.

Roll, don’t fold

While folding seems like the obvious way to pack clothes into your suitcase, piling one item on top of the other, rolling them is a more efficient technique that comes recommended from packing experts. It’s as easy as it sounds – simply tightly roll clothes and stack them next to each other neatly. It’s a great way to capitalise on space and helps prevent creases, meaning less time spent ironing when you reach your destination.

Tackle your toiletries

Rather than lug full-size shampoo and conditioner with you across the world, save space and opt to buy them when you reach your destination instead. That way you won’t have to worry about exceeding your luggage limit and will avoid any spills in transit. If you really can’t go without, invest in some travel-size tubes or containers to store body wash, moisturiser and anything else you may need, rather than packing dozens of full-sized products that won’t get used.