There's a small cohort of people who have managed to master the art of traveling light, yet this is a skill most of us continue to struggle with each time we start preparing for a trip.
Even with the best intentions, it's easy to find yourself squeezing all your must-haves into a suitcase that will just about close, wondering how others seem to fit all their essentials in one bag with little effort.
If this scenario sounds all too familiar, take a look at these proven and time-honored packing hacks to maximize your space, guaranteed to make your life a whole lot easier.
Pick up Some Packing Cubes
Once you start using packing cubes, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Not only do they keep your luggage neat and organized, but they keep your belongings much more compact than if they were stacked loosely in your bag.
If you're a serial over-packer and struggle to cut down your must-have list, consider purchasing some compression packing cubes. Doing precisely what they say on the tin, these travel accessories compress your clothes, ensuring they occupy minimal space.
Utilize Any Available Space
A key tactic to fine-tune your packing skills is to look out for any additional or unused space in your bag. An old-reliable example of this is to pack your socks into your shoes, but this isn't the only technique you should make use of.
Delicate and breakable items can be wrapped up in socks, while hats can be filled with pieces of clothing that fold up easily. Alternatively, when you've packed most of your bulky items, stuff any remaining gaps with the likes of underwear and pajamas.
Scale Back on Toiletries
It's easy to underestimate how much space your toiletries will take up in your bag, but your shampoo, body wash, and perfume can often be a nightmare to pack. Most of us simply use a lot more products than we realize, and deciding which to leave at home is more difficult than it seems.
For short breaks, it's best to decant your essentials into travel-sized containers or purchase some mini versions ahead of time. Those of you planning a longer trip should consider waiting until you arrive at your destination to stock up on toiletries unless there are specific items you need to bring.
Choose Your Shoes Strategically
Speaking of items that are notoriously challenging to pack, shoes can also prove to be quite a nuisance to find space for. In many cases, the shoes you'll need will depend on the activities you have planned, but it's possible to pick options that serve multiple purposes.
For example, if you'll likely be spending a great deal of your time exploring on foot in a warm destination, select comfortable, contoured sandals rather than having to pack both sneakers and flip-flops.
Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes on the Flight
A packing tip that's stood the test of time, this is one of the best ways to avoid a suitcase that's bursting at the seams. As most of us know all too well, squishing winter coats and sweatshirts into your luggage can leave you with a fraction of the space you thought you had.
While it tends to be less of an issue for those traveling during the summer season or to countries with hot climates, wearing jackets, thick trousers, and hiking boots on your flight is quite the space-saver. It also doubles as a cost-cutting hack if you're worried your suitcase will be overweight.
Choose Neutral Clothing Items That You Can Easily Mix and Match
Similar to how you should approach packing your shoes, it can save you a lot of space in your bag if you stick to multi-purpose pieces that can be easily mixed and matched with other items.
Among the easiest ways to implement this technique is to pick pieces that are neutral in color, steering clear of clothes with bold and vivid prints that can only be paired with one particular item. This method also makes putting together outfits much more straightforward, so it's a win-win.
Roll Your Clothes Instead of Folding Them
Although the jury's still out on this one, many people firmly stand by the claim that rolling your garments takes up less place than folding them. Unless you're particularly talented at folding your clothing, you'll likely find this is the case for you.
Rolling your clothes makes it easier to utilize any leftover space when you've completed most of your packing, and it also helps to prevent wrinkles from forming as quickly as they do with folding.
Plan Your Outfits in Advance
Undoubtedly, this isn't the most enjoyable task, but if you've given your outfits some thought ahead of time, you'll thank yourself during the packing process.
At one point or another, many of us have filled our suitcases with clothes that we don't even look at once we arrive at our destination, never mind actually wear! By selecting pieces that you frequently reach for and feel comfortable in, you'll narrow down your travel wardrobe, ensuring you only pack items that you're sure you'll use.
Vacuum-Pack Your Clothes
If you've exhausted all of the above strategies and are still trying desperately to alleviate your packing woes, this is a great last resort.
Vacuum-packing your clothing is one of the simplest ways to free up a ton of space in your bag, but you should keep in mind that you'll need access to a vacuum before returning home with this option! The newfound room inside your suitcase might tempt you to add even more to your packing list, so it's only advisable to use this approach when absolutely necessary.
Use These Reliable Packing Hacks for Your Next Trip
Much like anything in life, it takes time to learn the ropes of tactful packing, so don't feel too disheartened if you're finding it somewhat of an uphill battle to maximize the space in your luggage!
With these practical and trusty tips behind you, you'll soon become quite the packing professional.
