Are you getting ready for your next trip? After deciding how you’re going to get there and finding the perfect hotel, it's time to think about packing your suitcase... something that can cause more than a headache or two if you’re not too clued in about suitcase packing tips to save space!
The truth is that the issue of luggage is one of the trickiest problems to solve…do you check them in or take them on the plane? What’s permitted and what isn’t? Today, here at Hotels VIVA, we’ve got some great tips for you to help make the whole process a lot easier.
Two of the things that cause us the most hassle as travelers are luggage weight and size allowances. That's why it's best to look for a lightweight suitcase, but strong at the same time.
The problem of space is more common in winter, because warm clothes are far bulkier than summer clothes. That's why one of the key suitcase packing tips to save space is to wear your bulkiest items when travelling. This includes jumpers, jackets, shoes (especially boots) and accessories.
When packing your suitcase, it’s also important to take your documents and money with you, as well as cameras, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. This will make your luggage lighter as well as safer.
Before taking note of our suitcase packing tips to save space, you should really “own” the phrase "less is more”, or read Marie Kondo's famous tips and apply them to how many clothes you should pack and how to organise them.
And, as for us, we’ve got our own special tips for you:
Making a list will help you not to forget anything and will ensure you don’t pack things that you don’t need.
Along the same lines, it’s always helpful to decide in advance on your outfits or clothing combinations and write down the number of garments you’ll need. In this way, you avoid taking things “just in case"…things that will end up taking up a lot of unnecessary space in your suitcase.
Clothes take up less space if they’re rolled up. And, as we usually wear sportier, more casual clothes on holiday, it doesn’t matter so much if the clothes get a little creased.
Even so, Marie Kondo's KonMari method even includes tips to avoid creases. Basically, this consists of sorting your clothes into categories beforehand by laying them out on the bed. In this way, you’ll get an idea of how big they are and how to fold them.
This technique is especially useful for storing underwear, trousers, jumpers, t-shirts, or towels, but you may want to avoid it for shirts or some linen garments.
Sometimes, suitcase packing tips to save space just involve plain simple common sense.
One idea is to put the heaviest clothes, including shoes (in a cloth bag), at the bottom. On top of them, put your trousers, jackets, or jumpers, and then, finally, the clothes that wrinkle more easily.
You can also opt to use packing cubes, a useful resource for making the most of small spaces. They’ll help you organise the clothes in your suitcase by type or outfit.
One of the great suitcase packing tips to save space is to vacuum pack your clothes in airtight bags, removing all the air inside them. You can do it by using your own strength, or a hoover to suck the air out. In this way, you’ll keep your clothes compressed and flat and save a lot of space.
The last of our suitcase packing tips to save space is to use dispenser packs for shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, and other hygiene products. You can also use solid soaps, or take advantage of the space in your boots or trainers to pack underwear, socks, etc.
For dirty clothes, try to keep them folded and, if you need to, use your hotel's laundry services, a great option to save space in your suitcase.