Things People Forget When Moving House

Things people forget when moving house are often small, everyday items rather than the big furniture everyone remembers. Boxes and Bubble supplies removals boxes and packing materials across London, with same day delivery available for customers who need boxes quickly, as well as in-store collection for anyone who prefers to call or visit before ordering.

Most people remember the sofa, beds, wardrobes and kitchen appliances. The problem is usually the items tucked away in cupboards, drawers, sheds, lofts, cars and storage spaces. These forgotten belongings can delay moving day, create extra trips and make the final clean more stressful than it needs to be.

This guide covers the common things people forget when moving house, along with simple ways to stay organised before the removals van arrives.

Items Hidden in Cupboards and Drawers

Cupboards and drawers are the most common places for forgotten items. It is easy to clear the obvious shelves, then miss the back of a kitchen cupboard, bedside drawer or bathroom cabinet.

Check every drawer fully before moving day. That includes junk drawers, cutlery drawers, bedside tables, filing cabinets, wardrobes, bathroom units, sideboards and children’s furniture. Open each one, remove everything and decide whether it is being packed, thrown away or kept with you.

A good method is to do one final “open everything” check the day before moving. This should include cupboards above eye level and low storage areas that are easy to overlook.

For a wider packing plan, use this alongside Moving House Checklist PDF.

Loft, Shed and Garage Items

Lofts, sheds and garages are easy to forget because they are not part of everyday living space. They often contain tools, Christmas decorations, paint tins, camping equipment, garden items, sports gear, old paperwork and spare household goods.

These areas should be checked early, not on moving day. They usually take longer to sort than expected, and some items may need stronger boxes, protective wrapping or disposal.

If you find heavy items such as tools, books, tiles or hardware, do not put them into oversized boxes. Use smaller boxes so they remain safe to lift. For more detail, see How Much Weight Can a Cardboard Box Hold?.

Chargers, Cables and Remote Controls

Chargers and cables are small, but they cause plenty of frustration when they go missing. Phone chargers, laptop chargers, router cables, extension leads, HDMI cables, TV remotes, speaker cables and game console leads should be packed carefully.

Use one clearly labelled box or bag for essential cables. If a cable belongs to a specific device, keep them together where possible. Remote controls should be packed with the item they control, or placed in a clearly marked “remotes and cables” box.

It is also worth keeping phone chargers, work chargers and any urgent cables in your essentials box rather than the main van.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies are often forgotten because they are left out for the final clean. This makes sense, but they still need to be packed before you leave.

Keep a small cleaning kit separate until the end. This might include wipes, cloths, bin bags, washing-up liquid, spray cleaner, gloves and kitchen roll. Once the final clean is complete, pack the kit into a clearly labelled box or keep it in the car.

Avoid packing cleaning liquids with food, clothes or fragile items. If anything leaks, it can damage the rest of the box.

Important Documents

Important paperwork should never be buried in a random box. Passports, driving licences, tenancy agreements, completion documents, mortgage papers, removals paperwork, insurance details, school records and medical documents should stay with you.

Put them in one folder or document wallet and keep them somewhere safe. This is especially important if you need ID, keys or property documents on moving day.

If you are packing paperwork for storage rather than immediate use, archive boxes can help keep everything organised. For choosing box types, read What Size Moving Boxes Do I Need?.

Medication and Toiletries

Medication is one of the most important things not to misplace. Keep daily medication, prescriptions, glasses, contact lenses, inhalers, pain relief and essential toiletries with you rather than in the main moving load.

The same applies to children’s medication and pet medication. These items should be packed in an overnight bag or essentials box, not sealed away with bathroom items.

Toiletries are also easy to leave behind in showers, bathroom cabinets and travel bags. Check every bathroom, cloakroom and wash bag before leaving.

Food Cupboards and Freezers

Food is often forgotten because people leave kitchen packing until the end. Check cupboards, the fridge, freezer, spice racks, under-sink areas and utility room shelves.

Try to use up freezer food before moving day, especially if there will be a delay before appliances are plugged in again. Pack dry food in smaller boxes so it does not become too heavy.

Glass jars, bottles and tins can add weight quickly, so treat them like heavy kitchen items rather than light groceries.

Garden and Outdoor Items

Outdoor belongings are easy to miss because attention is usually focused indoors. Check garden storage, patios, balconies, side passages, greenhouses and outdoor boxes.

Common forgotten items include plant pots, hoses, tools, children’s toys, outdoor cushions, doormats, garden ornaments and bins. If you are moving plants, pack them separately and avoid placing them in sealed boxes for long periods.

Outdoor items may be damp or dirty, so avoid packing them with clean indoor belongings.

Clothes Left in Drawers or Wardrobes

Clothes can be forgotten when they are left in drawers, wardrobe sections, laundry baskets, airing cupboards or under-bed storage.

Whether clothes can stay in drawers depends on the furniture, the weight and your removals arrangement. Light clothing may sometimes be left in sturdy drawers, but heavy contents should usually be removed.

This is covered in more detail in Can You Leave Clothes in Drawers When Moving House?.

Keys, Meters and Final Checks

Keys are easy to misplace during the rush of moving day. Keep old keys, new keys, garage keys, window keys, shed keys and parking fobs in one secure place.

You may also need to take meter readings, photograph them, check windows, turn off lights, empty bins and make sure nothing is left behind. Before leaving, walk through the property slowly and check every room from top to bottom.

Final Advice

The things people forget when moving house are usually hidden, small or left until the final day. Cupboards, drawers, lofts, sheds, cables, paperwork, medication, cleaning supplies and garden items all need a final check.

Good packing makes this much easier. Label boxes clearly, keep essentials separate and buy packing materials early enough to avoid rushing. For timing advice, read When Should You Buy Moving Boxes?.

For London customers, Boxes and Bubble can supply moving boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, labels and other removals materials, with same day delivery available across London. For pricing and orders, customers can call or visit the store. Contact us today on 0207 371 8333 or send us a message.