If you’re anything like me, as the days get longer and the temperatures rise, you’re counting down the days until your summer vacation and the good times that lie ahead with family and friends. Whether you’re jetting off to a tropical paradise, embarking on a cross-country road trip, or simply heading to your favorite beach or mountain town, packing efficiently ensures you can show up to your destination organized and ready to relax — not worrying whether you left your iPhone charger at home or digging through your bag for your pajamas after a long travel day.
That’s why I am excited to share my top three summer packing tips with you today — so you can bid farewell to overpacked suitcases and ensure that you’re equipped for every sunny destination and summer travel adventure that awaits.
Tip #1: Use Packing Cubes to Maximize Your Suitcase Space
When I purchased my first set of packing cubes — I always find good ones at The Container Store, Target, and TJ Maxx — it changed the game for me! They are now my best friend when it comes to efficient packing and maximizing suitcase space.
I organize my cubes differently depending on what destination I am heading for, but you can easily categorize items by family member, day of the trip (for instance, everything you need for Friday in one cube, Saturday in another), or purpose (for instance, dinner outfits in one cube, swimsuits in another). Not only does this help me think through everything I am bringing with me (and helps manage my tendency to overpack!) ahead of the trip, but it also makes it easier to locate items once I arrive at my destination without having to tear through my entire suitcase.
Tip #2: Invest in Refillable Containers & Travel Size Makeup for Your Toiletry Bag
When it comes to my toiletry bag, I can’t recommend using refillable containers for your favorite skincare and haircare products and investing in travel-sized makeup enough. It allows you to bring along your essentials without giving up too much suitcase space.
When it comes to refillable containers, my favorite ones are the Cadence brand that I picked up at The Container Store. They are leakproof, magnetic, and super sleek. I use them for my skincare and haircare essentials so that I have everything I need for my morning and nightly routine neatly organized and ready to go in my toiletry bag. I pair my Cadence containers with travel-sized versions of my favorite makeup products that I pick up from Target and Ulta. I used to take my full-sized makeup with me, but it’s so nice having an additional travel-size set — it’s always packed and ready to go.
Tip #3: Have Necessities Within Reach in Your Personal Item
When I am packing my personal item for plane travel — the one that stays under my seat — or a tote bag for car travel, I always ensure I have the necessities that help ensure I am comfortable and well-prepared for any curve balls the travel journey might throw my way.
In my bag, I like to have a book to enjoy while in transit or help pass time during delays — Barnes & Noble has an incredible selection of my favorite genre, summer beach reads! I also make sure I have some of my favorite snacks from Trader Joe’s, like nuts and dried fruit. And, I always make sure my tech organizer, with a portable iPhone battery and extra phone and technology chargers, is in this bag so that I can stay powered up on the go; my favorite tech organizer is from Target!
