Five Tips for Maximizing Suitcase Space While Traveling

Maximizing suitcase space is difficult. Many people have a tendency to overpack, resulting in multiple heavy bags that contain clothes that go unworn and items that go unused. In this article, I give five tips for maximizing suitcase space while traveling, thus avoiding these problems.

Suitcase Space Tip #1 - Pack Only Necessary Items
The best way to maximize suitcase space is to pack only what you need. Consider whether you'll use each item that you pack, and be honest in your evaluation. How many books will you actually read? Are you really going to need an extra wallet? Won't one pair of flip-flops be enough? Frequently, the answer is less.

Suitcase Space Tip #2 - Pack Early
In addition to packing only necessities, I suggest that you pack your suitcase early. It's common to pack too much due to a lack of time and associated pressure. Pack early to make the most of the space in your suitcase and to make sure that you have everything you actually do need. Forgetting necessary items usually ends up costing time, money, and effort.

Additionally, extra time may allow you to reconsider how you are packing your suitcase, and to see alternative configurations that would maximize available space.

Suitcase Space Tip #3 - Use Travel-Sized Grooming Products
There's no reason to fill a suitcase with full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and more. Instead, buy some small, airline-compliant bottles and fill them with your grooming products of choice.

I recommend a similar approach for other grooming items such as combs, brushes, toothbrushes, and makeup. Only take what you'll use, and if you can take it in a smaller, travel-ready form, do so. Consider doing the same for vitamins and other dietary supplements.

Suitcase Space Tip #4 - Use Space Bags
Space bags, in any form and from any brand, serve to reduce the volume of their contents by allowing for the removal of air from the bag. I've used space bags before while traveling, and they are an excellent way of maximizing suitcase space. If you are skilled, you might be able to fit twice as much luggage as normal in a suitcase. However, this suitcase will be twice as heavy, so be warned. Likewise, you will almost certainly need to iron clothing removed from a space bag.

Suitcase Space Tip #5 - Pack Appropriately for the Weather
Packing appropriately for the weather is another great way to maximize suitcase space. Some people have a "what if" mentality that causes them to bring a variety of clothing for any possible weather. Of course, the "just in case" clothing is rarely needed. Bring one "just in case" change of clothes if you feel you must, but appreciate the fact that you're freeing suitcase space by playing the odds.

It's easy to fill a suitcase, but it can be difficult to exercise restraint. Remember that by maximizing space in your suitcase, you may be decreasing the number of bags that you have to carry, allowing yourself to fly with only a carry-on, or leaving room for souvenirs for friends and family. The effort is definitely worth it. If you have any other tips for maximizing suitcase space, feel free to leave them in the form of a comment below. Thanks for reading!