Moving guide

How to Pack for a Move

Pack room by room, starting with things you rarely use. Keep boxes under about 50 pounds, fill gaps so nothing shifts, wrap fragile items individually, and label every box by room and contents. Pack an essentials box you keep with you for the first night.

  • Declutter before packing — you pay to move volume and weight.
  • Keep boxes under ~50 lbs; heavy items in small boxes, light items in large ones.
  • Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty space so nothing shifts.
  • Label every box by room and contents, and keep an essentials box with you.
Step 1 of 3

Where are you moving?

Key Takeaways

  • ✓ Declutter before packing — you pay to move volume and weight.
  • ✓ Keep boxes under ~50 lbs; heavy items in small boxes, light items in large ones.
  • ✓ Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty space so nothing shifts.
  • ✓ Label every box by room and contents, and keep an essentials box with you.

Good packing does two jobs: it protects your things, and it keeps an hourly move from dragging on. Both come down to a few habits.

Start with supplies and a plan

Gather sturdy boxes in a few sizes, packing tape, paper or bubble wrap, markers, and padding. Then work room by room, starting with what you use least — off-season clothes, books, spare linens, decor. Leave daily essentials for last.

Before anything goes in a box, declutter. Donate, sell, or toss what you won’t want in the new place. Moving less is the cheapest upgrade there is.

Pack boxes that survive the trip

  • Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large ones. Keep each box under about 50 pounds so it’s liftable and won’t blow out the bottom.
  • Reinforce the bottom of every box with tape.
  • Fill all empty space with paper, towels, or padding so nothing shifts in transit.
  • Don’t leave boxes half-full — they collapse when stacked.

Handle fragile items with care

  • Wrap each dish, glass, and breakable individually.
  • Pack plates on their edge, like records, not stacked flat.
  • Cushion the bottom and top of the box, and fill the middle gaps.
  • Mark these boxes FRAGILE and tell the crew which they are.

Label so unpacking is painless

Write the room and contents on the top and at least one side of every box — “Kitchen: pots + pans,” not “misc.” Number your boxes and keep a quick list if you want to track everything. Your future self, exhausted at the new place, will thank you.

Keep an essentials box with you

Pack one box (or bag) with what you’ll need the first night: toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, basic tools, snacks. Keep it with you, not on the truck.

Once you’re packed, the last step is the crew. Compare reviewed movers by city and use our moving checklist to keep the timeline on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I start packing?
Start with rarely-used items about four to six weeks out and work toward daily essentials. Having everything boxed before the crew arrives keeps an hourly move from running long.
What supplies do I need to pack for a move?
Assorted sturdy boxes, packing tape, packing paper or bubble wrap, markers, and padding like blankets or towels. Specialty boxes for dishes, wardrobe, and TVs help protect fragile and awkward items.
How do I pack fragile items so they don't break?
Wrap each item individually in paper or bubble wrap, pack plates on their edge rather than flat, cushion the bottom and top of the box, fill all gaps so nothing moves, and label the box fragile.