Are you an over-packer who struggles with fitting everything into a suitcase? If you need help with packing, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading to discover how to pack a suitcase to maximize space in 13 easy steps.
Do you love traveling but can’t stand packing? Me too!
If you look forward to everything about traveling except for the packing bit, I got you.
After many years of traveling and overpacking, I have finally nailed the perfect way to pack a suitcase to maximize space, and I’m going to share everything I know with you!
This is important if you love traveling because an overweight suitcase is not only super-heavy to lug around, but it can cost you money if you have to pay for excess baggage fees.
Keep reading to discover 13 easy steps to maximize space in your suitcase. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to pack lighter and more efficiently while bringing everything you need. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
How To Pack A Suitcase To Maximize Space – 13 Practical Tips That Work
1. Use packing cubes
I used packing cubes for the first time this year, and all I can say is they’re LIFE-CHANGING.
Did you know you can pack more clothes in packing cubes? That’s because its soft material allows you to compress as much as you can. Once it’s filled to the brim, you can zip the cube to lock everything in.
Besides that, packing cubes are usually designed to fit every nook and cranny in a suitcase. This means you can stack or pack the cubes side-by-side or next to each other without wasting any space in between!
And, if you like things to be in order like me, packing cubes are great organizational tools. You can separate your clothes by categories by using different packing cubes. For example, you can pack your T-shirts and tops in one cube, and dresses and bottoms in another.
With packing cubes, you no longer have to rummage through your suitcase and create a big mess to find something.
Here are my favorite packing cubes:
- OEE Beige 6-Set Packing Cubes – I have these, and I LOVE them! Comes with 6 bags that are made of thick nylon fabric. The material is extremely durable yet lightweight. Plus, they’re machine-washable!
- BAGAIL Black 8-Set Packing Cubes – If you need more cubes, this is a great alternative. It has the same amazing features as the one above, and comes with a 12-month warranty!
2. Roll your clothes
Rolling your clothes is the easiest way to save space in a suitcase. How? Rolling compresses clothing, which makes it easier to stack or pack side-by-side in your suitcase.
This means you’ll be able to fit more clothes because they can fit in tight spaces.
On the other hand, folding your clothes means other items may have to sit on top of your clothing pile. This overlap will make it difficult for you to get to your clothes.
Just remember to use the right technique to roll your clothes to avoid wrinkles and damage.
However, not every piece of clothing is suitable to be rolled. Bulky garments like jackets and sweaters take up more space when rolled because rolling cannot compress the material.
Try laying them flat and leaving them in the suitcase overnight – this helps to naturally compress the garment.
3. Pick the right suitcase
Picking the right suitcase is crucial if you want to maximize space.
Soft bags like duffel bags and travel backpacks have limited space whereas certain suitcases come with a lot of unnecessary pockets that take up space.
My go-to suitcase is a hard suitcase with internal straps that help with compression. A hard suitcase helps my packing cubes stay in place and protects what I have inside from bad weather and mishandling.
Furthermore, a suitcase typically comes with wheels, which makes it convenient and easy to lug around.
My favorite suitcase brands are Samsonite and American Tourister because they’re durable AND come with a reliable warranty.
Here are my top suitcase picks:
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Wheels, White, Carry-On 21-Inch – This is super lightweight, expandable, and comes with a 10-year warranty!
- Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner, Black – This piece is the perfect carry-on size. It’s also a firm favorite of avid travelers and flight attendants because it is sturdy and easy to roll.
4. Vacuum seal bulky clothing
One way to pack a suitcase to maximize space is to vacuum seal bulky clothing. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling during winter because cold-weather apparel can be very bulky therefore taking up more space.
All you have to do is to put your clothing inside a vacuum storage bag, zip it, and suck all the air out with either a vacuum cleaner or a hand pump. Finally, close and secure the valve cap to ensure the bag is tightly-sealed.
The steps above will help to flatten bulky clothes like jackets, sweaters, and coats, giving you more space to fit other things in your suitcase.
Here are my favorite vacuum storage bags:
- AirBaker 8-pc Space Saver Vacuum Storage Bags – This set comes in 3 different sizes and works with any vacuum cleaner at home. The best part? All vacuum storage bags come with a one-year replacement warranty from the date of purchase.
- Cozy Essential 25 Pack Vacuum Storage Bags – This is a great option if you’re looking for more storage bags. This set comes with 25 bags, 5 sizes, and fits A TON. No wonder this is the #1 best-seller on Amazon!
5. Pack travel-sized items
Full-sized items like toiletries and makeup can take up a lot of space in your suitcase.
Another way to maximize space in a suitcase is to invest in travel-sized items of your favorite brands.
For a more sustainable option, consider purchasing silicon travel bottles so you can pour whatever you have at home every time you travel.
Besides toiletries and makeup, here is a list of travel-sized items you can bring to maximize space in your suitcase:
6. Use a pill box for jewelry and accessories
Have you ever wondered how to store your jewelry and accessories in an organized way that also saves space?
If you answered yes, you’ve come to the right page! I swear by pill boxes to store my jewelry and accessories.
Not only does it have mini compartments for you to separate each item, but a pill box is also flat, making it easy to pack amongst other things.
7. Invest in multi-purpose electronics
Electronics like international travel adaptors and chargers usually take up a lot of space because of their bulky sizes and odd shapes.
Not to mention, electronics come with plenty of cables that can turn into a mess if they’re not managed properly.
If you travel frequently, consider purchasing a multi-purpose adapter and charger.
Don’t buy an adapter that is only compatible with one or two countries.
Instead, get a travel adapter that covers more than 150 countries. This adapter is also compatible with almost all USB devices and allows 3 devices to charge simultaneously.
Meanwhile, a GaN charger shares the same features as the adapter except its components waste less power and produce less heat. This leads to a more efficient yet safe charge.
Both of these items have foldable plugs that help them fit into any space.
However, avoid packing electronics together with their cables to prevent them from being damaged during transit.
Always remove cables from chargers before you pack them. Use an electronic organizer to organize all of your electronics like your phone, hard drives, batteries, USB cords, cables, and power banks.
Since the organizer is flat, it will not take up much space in your suitcase. Furthermore, it’s durable and water-repellant, making it a safe carrier for your expensive gadgets.
8. Store items in unused spaces
Another way to pack to maximize space in a suitcase is to utilize all of the unused space.
For example, storing your socks in shoes is a no-brainer. Since you’ll wear them together anyway, doing this will help you to save time searching for your socks.
Besides that, you can also store bras and belts in hats. This will help to maintain their shape, so it’s a win-win situation!
9. Place flat items in the pockets of your suitcase
Most suitcases come with at least one pocket, which is great for storing flat items.
Here are some things you can store in the pockets of your suitcase:
- Empty laundry bags
- Electronic organizer
- Books
- Pillboxes
10. Wear your bulkiest outfit on the plane
This is a packing tip I’ve used for years because every single bit helps!
Save yourself some luggage space and wear the bulkiest outfit on the plane. It’s fine to wear a sweater or jacket with sneakers or boots because it’s always cold on the plane anyway. Your body will thank you for keeping it warm!
11. Only pack what you need
I used to be an over-packer, which meant I was constantly paying excess baggage fees!
These days, I only pack what I need.
To achieve that, I start with a standard packing list that I use for all of my trips. It includes the necessities like my toiletries, makeup, and electronics. Then, I check the weather and itinerary before I decide on my clothing.
The one thing I realize when traveling is that I often gravitate toward comfortable clothes. So, skip the excess fluff, and bring quality pieces that will make you look and feel good.
12. Use multi-purpose items to store things
The most unassuming tip to pack a suitcase to maximize space is by using multi-purpose items to store things.
For example, you can use two pill boxes to store medicine and jewelry respectively. Besides that, zip lock bags are also great for storing dirty laundry or toiletries.
Be creative with your storage solutions, and you’ll be amazed by how many things you can fit in your suitcase.
13. Work from the bottom up
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you work from the bottom up when packing your suitcase.
Place the heaviest item like your shoes at the bottom of your suitcase. Store them in a packing cube to avoid getting dirt all over your clothes.
Then, move on to your clothing before storing delicate items like toiletries and make-up at the top of your suitcase.
Alternatively, you can separate shoes and clothing in one compartment and electronics and toiletries/makeup in another.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it better to roll or fold my clothes?
There’s no definite answer to this question because it depends on the type of clothing you’re bringing.
If you are packing bulky clothes like jackets and sweaters, folding them will save more space. In addition, you may not want to roll clothes like suits because this may cause stubborn creases to form.
On the other hand, clothes with lighter fabric like T-shirts and dresses are better rolled because rolling them saves space and reduces wrinkles.
2. What are some important travel essentials?
I try not to stress too much about packing especially when it comes to clothes because I know I can always re-wear something or purchase something if I have to.
Nevertheless, these are my must-have travel essentials, which I take with me on every trip:
Conclusion
There you have it – how to pack a suitcase to maximize space in 13 easy steps!
I hope learning these steps will lead to a stress-free packing experience for you, so you can fully enjoy your vacation! Safe travels!
