Our packing crews handle hundreds of kitchens, living rooms, and home offices every year. The techniques they use aren't complicated, but they're specific. The right materials, zero empty space in the box, manageable weight, and labels on everything. That's it. This room-by-room guide covers what our pros do so you can do it yourself if you want to.
Essential Packing Supplies
Before you start, gather these materials:
- Boxes in multiple sizes: small (1.5 cu ft), medium (3.0 cu ft), large (4.5 cu ft), and wardrobe boxes
- Packing paper (unprinted newsprint). This is the workhorse material for wrapping everything
- Bubble wrap for fragile items
- Packing tape and a tape gun (skip masking tape. It doesn't hold)
- Permanent markers for labeling
- Stretch wrap for bundling and furniture protection
- Dish pack boxes (double-walled, built for fragile kitchen items)
- Mattress bags
A typical three-bedroom home needs 40 to 60 boxes, 5 to 10 pounds of packing paper, and 3 to 5 rolls of tape. Our packing services page has detailed supply recommendations by home size.
Kitchen Packing
The kitchen takes the longest because of the sheer quantity of breakable items. Plan on a full day for a well-stocked kitchen. We see the same mistake constantly: people stack plates flat in a big box. One drop and you lose the whole stack. Our crews pack plates on edge for a reason.
- Plates: Wrap each plate individually in packing paper. Stack them vertically (on edge, like records in a crate) instead of flat. This one change reduces breakage dramatically.
- Glasses and mugs: Stuff the inside with crumpled paper, then wrap the outside. Use cell dividers if you have them, or make individual paper nests.
- Pots and pans: Nest them together with paper between each piece to prevent scratching. These are heavy, so use small boxes.
- Knives: Use a knife roll, blade guards, or wrap each knife in several layers of paper and tape securely. Label the box "SHARP."
- Small appliances: Original boxes are ideal. Otherwise, wrap in bubble wrap and fill empty space with crumpled paper.
- Spices and pantry items: Place upright in small boxes. Toss anything expired. Seal open containers with tape and put them in zip-lock bags to prevent spills.
Bedroom Packing
Bedrooms are more straightforward, but we see people overthink this one. The biggest time saver: leave clothes in the dresser drawers. Just wrap the dresser in stretch wrap to keep them shut. Our crews do this on every job.
- Clothing: Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. They transfer directly from closet rod to box and back. Fold casual clothing into medium boxes or leave it in dresser drawers (wrap the dresser in stretch wrap to keep drawers closed).
- Bedding: Comforters, pillows, and linens make great void-fill material. Stuff them into garbage bags or large boxes and use them to cushion fragile items in the truck.
- Jewelry: Carry valuable jewelry with you, not on the truck. Use a small travel case or zip-lock bags. Photograph valuable pieces before the move for insurance purposes.
- Mattresses: Use mattress bags to protect against dirt, moisture, and tearing. They cost a few dollars each and they're worth it.
Living Room Packing
- Books: Pack in small boxes. Books are deceptively heavy. A large box of books can hit 60 to 70 pounds. Keep boxes under 50 pounds so they're manageable and don't break.
- Framed photos and mirrors: Wrap in bubble wrap and pack vertically in picture boxes or between sheets of cardboard. Never lay glass items flat in a box.
- Lamps: Remove shades (pack them separately in large boxes with crumpled paper). Wrap bases in bubble wrap. Lampshades are delicate. Don't stack anything on top of them.
- Furniture: Disassemble what you can. Bag and label all hardware. Wrap legs and corners with bubble wrap or moving blankets secured with stretch wrap. Remove glass shelves and pack them separately.
Bathroom Packing
- Toiletries: Place all liquids in zip-lock bags before boxing to contain leaks. Pack upright.
- Medicine: Keep medications with you during the move, not in a box on the truck. You need access, and temperature extremes in a moving truck can affect some medications.
- Towels: Like bedding, towels are excellent padding. Use them to wrap fragile bathroom items or fill void space in boxes.
Home Office Packing
- Computers: Back up all data before the move. If you have original packaging, use it. Otherwise, wrap monitors in bubble wrap and pack in snug-fitting boxes. Transport hard drives with you if possible.
- Files and papers: Keep them in filing cabinet drawers (tape or stretch-wrap drawers closed) or transfer to file boxes. Shred anything you don't need rather than paying to move it.
- Desk accessories: Clear desk contents into a small box. Take a photo of your setup before unplugging so you can recreate it.
Special Items
Electronics
Flat-screen TVs go upright, never flat. Wrap in moving blankets and secure with stretch wrap. Our crews use custom TV boxes with foam inserts. For gaming consoles and audio equipment, wrap individually in bubble wrap and pack in boxes with firm padding on all sides.
Artwork and Antiques
Valuable artwork should be custom crated by the moving company or a specialty service. Bubble wrap alone isn't enough for original paintings or sculptures worth real money. Our specialty moving service includes custom crating for high-value items. For less valuable framed art, use adjustable picture boxes with corner protectors.
Plants
Interstate movers typically can't transport live plants due to agricultural regulations. For local moves, keep plants in your car with climate control. Water them normally the day before (overwatering makes a mess). Place smaller pots in open-top boxes with paper around the base for stability.
General Packing Rules
- Heavy items in small boxes. Light items in large boxes. This prevents boxes from breaking and reduces injury risk.
- Fill every box completely. Partially filled boxes crush under the weight of boxes stacked above them. Use crumpled paper, towels, or clothing to fill voids.
- Label on two sides. Write the destination room and a brief contents description on two sides of every box so they can be read regardless of orientation in the truck.
- Tape the bottom of every box with an H-pattern: one strip down the center seam and one strip across each end.
- Don't overpack boxes. If you can't lift it comfortably, it's too heavy. Split the contents into two boxes.
Good packing takes time, but it's the single most impactful thing you can do to protect your belongings. If you'd rather leave it to people who do this every day, our full-service packing teams bring the materials, the expertise, and the speed to get your home packed in a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to pack a house?
Most people need 3 to 5 days for a three-bedroom home. Our packing crew can do the same house in 4 to 8 hours with 2 to 3 people. Start early and go one room at a time.
Should I pack my dresser drawers or empty them?
For local moves, leaving lightweight clothing in drawers is fine. Just wrap the dresser in stretch wrap to keep drawers shut during transport. For long-distance moves, empty the drawers to reduce weight and prevent damage.
What is the best way to pack fragile items?
Wrap each piece individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Use double-walled dish pack boxes for kitchen items. Heavier items on the bottom, lighter on top. Fill all empty space with crumpled paper so nothing shifts. Label "FRAGILE" on multiple sides.
Where can I get free moving boxes?
Grocery stores, liquor stores, and bookstores often have sturdy boxes to give away. Ask on delivery days (usually Tuesday through Thursday). Check Buy Nothing groups and Facebook Marketplace too. People give away boxes right after their move.
How do I pack a flat-screen TV without the original box?
Wrap the screen in a soft moving blanket, then add bubble wrap secured with tape. Stand it upright in a flat-screen TV box or between two large flat pieces of cardboard taped together. Never lay a flat-screen face down. That's how panels crack.