Planning a road trip with your family this summer? It is important that you are organized to have a relaxing and stress free vacation.
Pack Your Bags
When packing your bags for a weekend getaway you want to ensure you pack the essentials (clothes & toiletries). A carry-on suitcase is the perfect size to fit all your needs. When packing toiletries and makeup ensure you have a waterproof bag that is fully enclosed and easy to clean. This protects your clothes from any accidental spills. I use one small bag for toiletries and one small bag for makeup. It is important to have one big waterproof bag for larger items such as sunscreens and bug spray.
Next, you need to lay out all your clothes you want to bring on the trip. It is important to keep the items sorted by category (shorts, shirts, bathing suits etc.). This will allow you to see how much of each item you are bringing. I recommend using packing cubes as they are helpful to stay organized. Don’t forget to pack an extra bag as it is always handy and can be used as a : beach bag, shopping bag, bag for souvenirs. Travelling with a dog? Do not forget your dog essentials - dog bag, water, leash, and dog food.
Unpacking In The Hotel
When you arrive at the hotel, put your packing cubes directly into the drawer. This way items stay folded and sorted by category. Not sure if you should unpack?
1 night stay - Live out of the suitcase. You will only need to access a few items during your stay.
2-4 night stay- Put packing cubes inside the drawers. This will allow you to easily access all your items while being able to pack up in under 1 minute.
5+ night stay- Completely unpack. Take everything out of your suitcase and place it in the drawers. You want to make the hotel room feel like home.
Packing To Go Home
Your vacation has come to an end and it is time to go home. Don’t worry, packing will only take one minute. Weekend getaways mean keeping your clothes in packing cubes where they are sorted by category. When it is time to leave, just zip up the cubes, put them in your suitcase and go. So simple! Remember to always have 1 packing cube for dirty clothes. When you get home you can easily wash your dirty laundry and the packing cube. No packing cubes? No problem! You can also use a beach bag or any bag to store dirty clothes in.
Packing for a trip doesn't have to be stressful. Just remember these tips and they will help your next weekend getaway go smoothly.
Melanie McConnell is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. She helps busy professionals and parents get the organized home of their dreams. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces
Florena Davies is a Professional Organizer and Owner of Organize by Flo. She uses her experience as a wife and mother of 2 to create real life organizational systems and changes for work and home that allow our 2 worlds to co-exist and 'Flo" together. Check out her website at https://www.organizebyflo.com/ and on instagram @organizebyflo.
Marybeth Welty is a Professional Organizer, Interior Designer, and Mindful Living Coach, and is the owner of Sustainable Lifestyle Solutions. She helps her clients create a calm, organized, and sustainable home and the life of their dreams by utilizing refined design principles, organizing best practices, mental wellness strategies, and a holistic lifestyle approach to sustainability. You can connect with her at www.sustainablelifestylesolutions.com and on Instagram at @this_sustainable_lifestyle.