Moving to a new house is the start of an exciting new chapter, but it also comes with a lot of problems. Having the right packing materials and moving boxes is one of the most important things you can do to make your move go smoothly. Choosing the right items makes sure that your things are safe, organized, and easy to move. Using the right moving boxes and packing supplies can make a big difference in how easy or hard your move is, whether you're moving across town or across the country.
This important list of moving supplies shows you what packing materials you need, what kinds of moving boxes you need, and how to keep your valuables safe. Let's look at the ten things that every mover needs to have before packing day.
1. Small Moving Boxes — Great for Books and Heavy Things
You need small moving boxes for every move. These boxes are about 16 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. They are made to hold heavy, dense things like books, canned goods, tools, and small kitchen appliances. Small boxes help keep this from happening by limiting the amount you can physically fit, since overpacking can easily cause boxes to break or become too heavy to lift.
When you pack, make sure to fill small boxes to the top so they don't crush, but don't overstuff them. Put the heaviest things at the bottom and the lightest things at the top. Put extra tape on the bottom of each box to make it stronger. These strong boxes keep your heaviest things safe and easy to handle, which lowers the chance of injury or damage when you load and unload them.
2. Medium and Large Boxes for Everyday Things Around the House
When you move, medium and large boxes are the most useful. Medium boxes (18" x 18" x 16") are great for a lot of things, like toys, kitchenware, shoes, and electronics. For lighter, bulkier things like linens, pillows, comforters, and clothes, big boxes (18" x 18" x 24" or bigger) are the best choice. They might seem like a good way to store all your things, but don't put heavy things in big boxes. This makes them harder to carry and more likely to break.
For most household items, medium boxes are a good choice. For things that take up space but don't weigh much, use large boxes. This plan keeps your moving boxes balanced and easy to carry. To keep things from shifting and breaking, always use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect fragile things, even in medium or large boxes.
3. Wardrobe Boxes — Move Clothes Without Folding
One of the hardest things about moving is packing up your closet. Wardrobe boxes make this process easier. These special boxes have a metal hanging bar that lets you move clothes straight from your closet without folding or stuffing them into bags. This not only saves you hours of packing and unpacking, but it also keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and ready to wear when you get to your new home.
Wardrobe boxes are also good for moving drapes, winter coats, and other hanging fabrics. They can be used again for seasonal storage or future moves, which makes them a good investment for any home.
4. Boxes for Dishes and Glassware: Keep Your Kitchen Items Safe
When you move, your kitchen items are some of the most likely to break. If you don't pack them correctly, plates, glasses, mugs, and bowls can easily break. Dish and glassware boxes are made to protect these delicate things. They often have extra-thick walls and cell dividers to keep each piece safe and stop them from hitting each other.
Wrap each piece of dishware in packing paper or bubble wrap and put it in a box with dividers to keep it safe. For extra protection, fill in any gaps with crumpled paper or foam sheets. Double-wrap stemware or very fragile glassware and make sure they fit snugly in their compartments. Buying these moving boxes for fragile items can help you avoid the heartache and cost of broken kitchenware on moving day.
5. TV and Mirror Boxes — Specialty Boxes for Fragile Things
You can't just use regular boxes for flat-screen TVs, big mirrors, and framed art. TV and mirror boxes are adjustable, strong, and made just for keeping flat, delicate items from breaking, scratching, or shattering. These special boxes are often padded and can be made to fit different sizes, so they fit snugly and safely.
When you pack a TV or mirror, wrap it in a soft moving blanket or foam sheet, secure it with stretch wrap, and carefully slide it into the box. Use packing paper or extra padding to fill in any empty spaces. Always keep these boxes standing up and mark them clearly as "Fragile." Taking extra care and spending more money on these boxes often pays off by making sure your valuable electronics and decorations get there safely.
6. Packing Paper, Bubble Wrap, and Foam Sheets
Protective padding is an important part of any list of things you need to pack for a move. Bubble wrap, packing paper, and foam sheets are all important for wrapping fragile things, filling empty spaces in boxes, and protecting things from bumps and vibrations while they are being moved.
- Bubble wrap: Best for wrapping fragile glassware, electronics, and decorative items. The bubbles filled with air protect against impact.
- Packing paper: A better choice for the environment and your wallet. It's great for wrapping dishes, glasses, and filling empty spaces in boxes.
- Foam sheets: Great for keeping plates, picture frames, or other valuable items safe by adding an extra layer of protection.
Using a mix of these materials will keep all of your things safe during the move, no matter what shape they are or how fragile they are.
7. Tape and Dispensers for Packing to Keep Things Safe
You need good packing tape for any move. Cheap tape can come off or break under pressure, which could damage or lose your things. Buy some heavy-duty packing tape and a tape dispenser to quickly and easily seal each box.
Add extra layers of tape to the seams and corners of boxes that are very heavy or fragile. Tape dispensers make things easier and save time, especially when you have to deal with a lot of boxes. For the best security, don't forget to tape both the top and bottom of each box.
8. Use Stretch Wrap to Protect Furniture and Big Appliances
One of the most useful things you can have for moving is stretch wrap. It works great for keeping dresser drawers closed, keeping upholstered furniture clean and safe, and putting together things that are hard to handle. Stretch wrap keeps doors and drawers from swinging open or getting damaged while being moved. It works on furniture and appliances.
Just wrap the item tightly, with each layer overlapping the one before it by half, until the whole surface is covered. For extra protection, use stretch wrap with moving blankets or furniture pads, especially on wood and delicate finishes.
9. Color-Coding Systems, Markers, and Labels
To move without stress, you need to be organized. It's much easier to unpack when you clearly label each box with what it contains and where it needs to go. To make it easy to see, use permanent markers, and think about using a color-coding system to quickly figure out where each box goes. For example, blue for the kitchen and red for the bedrooms.
You can also use pre-printed labels or stickers to show that a box is "Fragile," "Heavy," or "This Side Up." This level of detail makes things easier for movers and lowers the chance of boxes being lost or mishandled.
10. Moving Blankets and Furniture Pads
When you move, you need to take extra care of big things like couches, tables, and dressers. Moving blankets and furniture pads add a thick layer of protection that keeps surfaces from getting scratched, dented, or dirty. They are also very important for protecting floors and doorways when moving big things in and out.
Put blankets over furniture, appliances, or even big pieces of art, and use stretch wrap or tape to hold them in place. You can rent these pads from many moving companies, or you can buy them to use over and over again or store them. They are a cheap way to protect yourself against expensive repairs or replacements.
Last Thoughts
It's very important to have the right moving supplies for a smooth, stress-free move. There are different types of boxes and packing materials that are good for different things. For example, small moving boxes are good for heavy things, and specialty boxes are good for fragile things. To make sure everything gets to your new home safely and quickly, use strong boxes, the right padding, secure sealing, and smart labeling. This important list of moving supplies will help you get ready for moving day and the fun trip ahead.
