Professional organizer Christine Krkach has a bone to pick with travelers. The expert, who also goes by The OCD by Christine, creates content that helps people get their lives in order, and she has some seriously helpful tips for mastering the art of the carry-on and generally maximizing space in your suitcase.
“I treat a suitcase just like I would a closet at home, everything needs to have a place, and ideally, a category,” Krkach says. “Packing can feel overwhelming, but using compression bags or packing cubes to sort by item or outfit makes a huge difference. You not only save space, but it’s easier to find what you need without tearing everything apart.”
She teamed up with Howards Storage World to share her must-know packing tips, just in time for peak summer travel. Here are her game-changing hacks to make your carry-on game seamless this season.
Getty Images
Beat the Bulk and Shrink Your Clothing Down
One of the best ways to pack light for a cold-weather trip is by using compression cubes or vacuum-style travel bags to shrink the space your clothes take up. Always fold clothes vertically, which makes it easier to see what’s inside, and roll thick items like knits before placing them inside the vacuum bags to maximize space even further, a tip we often use that’s often referred to as the military method or ranger roll.
“Compression bags are absolutely essential if you’re trying to fit jackets, jumpers and other thick gear into one suitcase. I love the Space Vac Combo Travel & Vacuum Storage Bags because you don’t even need a vacuum, just roll to remove the air.”
Wear Bulky Items en Route
This applies more in wintertime months, but wearing your bulkiest items, like hiking boots, running shoes, and puffer jackets on the plane, you can free up even more space in your bag.
Pack with a Plan
We love a list, and one of the worst things you can do is pack in a rush without a system, leading to overpacking or forgotten essentials. One of our favorite tips is keeping a toiletries case mostly packed and at the ready to eliminate that task before a flight.
“I often see people throw things in last-minute without a list, only to realize later they’ve forgotten important things like medications, tech cords, or chargers,” she says. “Taking five minutes to write a packing list can save you loads of stress, and making sure everything is visible when you open your suitcase means you won’t have to dig for it later.”
miniseries/Getty Images
Cube It Like a Pro
“A great packing trick is to assign one packing cube per clothing category, like tops, bottoms, sleepwear, and swimwear, and then commit to only packing what fits in that cube. It’s a self-imposed limit that prevents overpacking and keeps everything easy to find,” she says.
She also takes it a step further, recommending the use of labels on each cube so you can unpack in seconds at your destination. When traveling as a family, you can also assign a different color to each person for quick sorting.
Fly with Flexi-Furniture
“I never go on a family holiday without an over-the-door pocket organizer,” says Krkach. “It folds flat inside your luggage and takes seconds to hang in any hotel room or Airbnb. I use it to store my kids’ outfits for each day, keep track of snacks and sunscreen, and even organize my own accessories. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you’ve used it, and then you’ll never travel without it again.”
Seamlessly Separate Dirty Laundry
Dirty laundry on the road can get messy fast. Christine recommends packing a dedicated, collapsible hamper to keep worn clothes separate from clean ones.
“The Capri Collapsible Laundry Hamper is a game changer. It folds down flat, takes up barely any space, and I bring two when travelling as a family, one for darks, one for lights. It saves time when you get home because you’ve already pre-sorted. For freshness, just add a few cotton balls with essential oil, it makes a huge difference when you’re re-opening your suitcase mid-trip.”
Always Carry-On
While checked bags hold the bulk of your items, Christine says a well-packed carry-on can be a lifesaver. Even if you can’t swing only packing this way, making sure your carry-on is prepared for delays is crucial.
“I always keep a full change of clothes in my hand luggage, especially if I’m flying with kids. I also include all medications, snacks, valuables, chargers, and anything I couldn’t replace easily. Checked bags are for clothing and toiletries, but hand luggage should carry the essentials that you might need at a moment’s notice.”
