Are you moving into a new home or apartment? If so, this is probably a fairly exciting time. You may be busy picking out new furniture and buying paint and other design elements. As the move date approaches, though, you'll have to start dealing with one of the less fun things about moving into a new home. Packing up all your belongings may not be exciting, but it's critical if you want your move to be stress-free. Take some time to think through how you're going to pack all of your belongings. If you have a plan, it will likely make things easier when arrive at your new place. Here are five packing tips to make your life easier on moving day:

Use a clear plastic bin to pack the things you'll need first. When you get to your new house, there may be some things you need right away. This could include power strips, some cooking items, and maybe even some favorite toys to keep the children occupied. You don't want to have to search through a bunch of different boxes to get find those items. Instead, pack them in a clear plastic bin so you can identify them right away.

Wrap your breakables in old clothing. You likely have breakables like dishes, glasses, and picture frames. You also probably have a lot of clothes that you won't necessarily need to wear any time soon. Kill two birds with one stone by packing them together. Wrap your glasses and plates in old t-shirts, sweatpants, and even socks. That will help you protect your breakables, save on bubble wrap, and fit more into each box.

Use plastic sealant to pack your drawers. What's the point of taking everything out of a dresser drawer only to put it right into a box? Instead, simply pull your drawer out of your dresser and cover it with transparent sealant. You can find it in the bags and wraps area of nearly any grocery store. You simply cover the drawer with the thick plastic wrap and then press it down tight. That eliminates the need for a new box and makes your dresser lighter. When you get to your new home, you can simply take the sealant off and put the drawer back in the dresser.

Take pictures of your electronic hookups. There's nothing worse than getting to a new place and forgetting how to hook up your television or computer. Take quick pictures of how each device is hooked up before you start removing cables. Then you can refer back to the pictures in your new place. Also, put each set of cables in a small sandwich bag and use a marker to label the bag with the correct device name.

Avoid low quality boxes. Yes, it might be tempting to get free boxes from your grocery store or place of employment. But keep in mind that those boxes have already been used, so they may not be structurally sound, especially for heavy items. Instead, talk to your moving company. They'll likely have high-quality moving boxes available at affordable prices. It's worth it to pay for your own boxes to have the peace of mind that your items are secure.

For more tips, talk to your movers (like Elite Truck Rental). They can offer advice on how to make your moving day easier.