So, you’ve narrowed down your travel bucket list, mapped out each destination and stopover, and made the most of your arrangements. Now, there’s just one last thing standing between you and the long, open road: packing.
For many, packing can be a stressful experience. With so much to remember, we worry about forgetting something essential – while at the same time, we don’t want to over-pack and lug around extra belongings everywhere we go. At GemLife, we know that striking the right balance is a fine art, which is why we have put together this helpful guide on how to organise your packing and maximise space.
1. Choose the right luggage
No matter how efficiently you pack your suitcase or bag, if you have the wrong one – you will have a tough time maximising space. For starters, the hard outer shell of a suitcase is ideal for protecting what you have inside from bad weather and those bumps in the road. However, if you value mobility in your travel, a high-quality duffle bag will work just as effectively.
2. Use packing cubes
We swear you will never want to go anywhere without these once you try them. Packing these cubes into a suitcase will be easier than into a bag. However, you can make it work by compressing as much as you can into the cubes, then zipping the bag up to conceal everything.
3. Roll your clothes
Remember all the times you had to leave some of your clothes at home because they didn’t fit inside your luggage? We would like to introduce you to: the ranger roll technique. To properly roll your clothes, lay the item of clothing out flat. Then, fold the bottom two inches inside out so it creates a type of pocket along one side of the clothing. From the opposite end, roll the item tightly until you get to the pocket you have created. Lastly, fold one side of the pocket over the roll, securing it tightly. Check out this handy tutorial from Instructables and try it for yourself!
4. Opt for travel-sized items
Bringing full-sized toiletry bottles that are partly empty will result in wasting a lot of space. And this does not just refer to toiletries – make sure to pack travel-specific items that are designed to maximise space, such as a small hairbrush, travel towels, mini shampoo, and conditioner, etc. Or rather than bringing mini versions, opt for refillable bottles you can reuse for each trip.
5. Choose multi-purpose items
Who doesn’t love a classic ‘kill two birds with one stone’ scenario? Nothing says efficiency like bringing items that serve multiple purposes, allowing you to cut back on the items you need to bring. Exercise leggings, a light rain jacket, and even a sarong are just a few things you can rotate and reuse with your other items.
6. Be selective about the clothing fabrics you pack
As well as multi-purpose items, choose clothing that you will be able to wear more than once without needing to wash. Merino wool is a fabric that has antibacterial properties – and is very compactable – making it a useful choice. Now that you know how to maximise space in your luggage with these practical tips, it’s time to get packing!