How to Pack for a Move: A Room-by-Room Guide

Packing supplies checklist

• Sturdy boxes in small, medium, and large (small for heavy items, large for light bulky items)
• Specialty boxes: dish/glass packs, wardrobe boxes, TV/mirror boxes
• Packing paper and bubble wrap
• Packing tape and a tape gun
• Markers and printable labels
• Furniture pads or moving blankets, and stretch wrap
• Resealable bags for small parts and hardware

Room-by-room packing tips

• Kitchen. Use dish packs; wrap each plate in paper and stack them on edge (vertically), not flat. Nest bowls with paper between. Seal and bag opened dry goods.
• Bedrooms. Wardrobe boxes let clothes move on their hangers. Keep dresser clothes in the drawers if the crew will wrap and carry them; pack the rest.
• Living room. Box books flat in small boxes (they get heavy fast). Use TV and mirror boxes for electronics and framed art.
• Bathrooms. Tape and bag any liquids to prevent leaks; pack toiletries together and set aside a small first-night kit.
• Garage & storage. Drain and clean tools; pack hardware in labeled bags taped to the item it belongs to.

Protecting fragile items

Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap, and cushion the bottom and top of each box with crumpled paper. Fill every gap so nothing shifts — a box should not rattle when you gently shake it. Pack heavier items on the bottom, lighter on top, and mark fragile boxes clearly on the top and sides. For truly valuable or irreplaceable pieces (art, antiques, a piano, or a gun safe), consider professional handling.

Labeling that saves you hours

• Label every box on at least two sides with the room and a few contents.
• Mark FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP where needed.
• Number boxes per room and keep a quick master list so you know if anything is missing.
• Use a color per room (colored tape or dots) so movers can place boxes correctly at the new home.

A simple packing timeline

1. 3 weeks out: declutter and donate; gather supplies; start with storage, garage, and off-season items.
2. 2 weeks out: pack books, decor, and rooms you use less.
3. 1 week out: pack most of the kitchen and closets, leaving out only essentials.
4. Last 1–2 days: pack what's left and prepare an essentials box (chargers, meds, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic tools, snacks).

Should you pack yourself or hire packers?

Packing yourself saves money if you have the time and not too many fragile items. But packing is the most time-consuming part of a move, and improperly packed boxes are the leading cause of damage. Professional packing services can pack an entire home in a day with the right materials, and full-service packing usually includes valuation coverage on what the crew packs. Many customers split the difference — pack the everyday items themselves and have the pros handle the kitchen, fragiles, and art.

Packing FAQ

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