Packing Supplies Guide

The foundation of any move. Use proper moving boxes — not random grocery store boxes, which can collapse under weight.

• Small boxes (1.5 cu ft): Books, tools, canned goods, anything heavy
• Medium boxes (3 cu ft): Kitchen items, toys, small appliances
• Large boxes (4.5 cu ft): Linens, pillows, light clothing items
• Wardrobe boxes: Hanging clothes — no folding required
• Dish packs (dish barrels): Fragile kitchen items with extra wall thickness

Use 2-inch heavy-duty packing tape, not masking tape or duct tape. You’ll need more than you think.

• Tape every seam on the bottom of the box before loading
• Use a tape gun — it’s faster and wastes less tape
• Reinforce the bottom seam with two strips of tape for heavy boxes
• Plan on 2–3 rolls per room for a fully packed move

Best for fragile items — glassware, electronics, mirrors, and anything with a screen.

• Wrap items bubble-side in, then tape closed
• Add two layers for anything particularly delicate
• Use it as extra padding around framed pictures
• Don’t rely on bubble wrap alone — combine with packing paper to fill voids

Unprinted newsprint paper is the workhouse of packing — wrap dishes, fill gaps, protect surfaces.

• Use it instead of newspaper to avoid ink transfer on your items
• Wrap individual dishes and stack vertically (like records) — not flat
• Crumple paper to fill empty space in boxes and prevent shifting
• One 25-pound bundle covers most kitchens

Foam pouches are great for electronics, lenses, small appliances, and items with irregular shapes.

• Slide items in without wrapping for quick and clean protection
• Foam padding sheets work well for picture frames and mirrors
• Use foam rolls to line the inside of boxes with fragile contents

A cheap Sharpie and a roll of color-coded labels will save hours on unpack day.

• Label every box on the side (not the top — boxes get stacked)
• Write the destination room AND a brief contents description
• Use color-coded dot labels per room so movers can sort at a glance
• Mark fragile boxes with a large “FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP” on two sides