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

Packing is the part of moving that most people underestimate. It takes longer than you think, costs more in supplies than you expect, and if done poorly, results in broken items and a chaotic unpacking process. This guide will walk you through exactly how the pros do it — room by room.

Supplies You Will Need

Before you pack a single box, gather your materials. Running out of tape or bubble wrap mid-pack is a common and frustrating mistake. Here is what a typical 2–3 bedroom move requires:

Supply	Quantity (2–3 BR)	Notes
Small boxes (1.5 cu ft)	15–20	Books, canned goods, tools
Medium boxes (3 cu ft)	20–30	Kitchen, toys, linens
Large boxes (4.5 cu ft)	10–15	Pillows, light bulky items only
Packing tape + gun	6–8 rolls	Don't skimp here
Bubble wrap	1–2 rolls	Dishes, art, fragile items
Packing paper	2–3 lbs	Wrap glasses, fill empty space
Markers	3–4	Label every box clearly
Wardrobe boxes	3–5	Hang clothes directly — saves folding

What to Pack First

Start 3–4 weeks before your move date with items you rarely use. Work toward the things you need every day, which get packed last. A good order:

• Week 4: Storage areas — attic, garage, basement, holiday decorations, off-season clothing
• Week 3: Spare bedrooms, books, artwork, sentimental items
• Week 2: Most of the kitchen (leaving out essentials), living room decor, most clothing
• Week 1: Bedding, remaining clothing, daily-use kitchen items
• Day before: Toiletries, medications, chargers, last-minute items — pack an "open first" box

Room-by-Room Packing Guide

Kitchen

The kitchen is the most time-consuming room to pack. Plan for twice as long as you think. Wrap every glass and plate individually in packing paper. Stack plates vertically (like records) rather than flat — they are far less likely to break. Use dish pack boxes with cell dividers for glasses. Fill all empty space in boxes with crumpled paper so nothing shifts during the move.

Leave out one pot, one pan, a few utensils, and a plate per person until the night before. Pack a separate bag for the coffee maker and coffee so you can function on moving day morning.

Bedrooms

Wardrobe boxes are worth every penny. You hang your clothes directly from the closet rod into the box — no folding, no wrinkling, no rehanging. For folded clothes, use your dresser drawers as boxes if the dresser is manageable. Movers can often move dressers with clothes still inside if the drawers are secured with stretch wrap.

Mattresses need mattress bags — inexpensive and available at any hardware store. Washington weather means protecting against moisture and street grime during loading.

Living Room

Electronics should be packed in their original boxes whenever possible. If you don't have them, use medium boxes with plenty of padding and mark them FRAGILE. Take a photo of the back of your TV stand before disconnecting cables — future you will be grateful. Remove batteries from remotes. Wrap lamp bases in bubble wrap and use large wardrobe boxes for lampshades.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms pack quickly. Use small boxes. Place all liquids (shampoo, cleaning products) in sealed plastic bags first to prevent leaks. Dispose of anything expired. Pack a toiletry kit separately for the first night so you don't have to dig through boxes for toothpaste.

Garage and Storage

Drain all fluids from power equipment before moving — movers cannot transport flammable liquids including gasoline, propane tanks, and paint. Most hardware stores will accept leftover paint for disposal. Sharps and tools should be wrapped in newspaper or cardboard and labeled clearly.

Labeling: The Step Most People Skip

Label every single box on at least two sides with the destination room and a brief description of contents. This is not just for the movers — it is for you when you are unpacking at 10pm wondering where the bedsheets are. Color-coded tape by room is a small investment that pays off enormously.

Always mark fragile boxes on all four sides and the top. Place these boxes last in the truck so they come off first and are not buried.

The "Open First" Box

Pack one clearly marked box with everything you will need in the first 24 hours at the new place: phone chargers, toilet paper, paper towels, a few snacks, coffee supplies, a change of clothes, medications, kids' essentials, and basic cleaning supplies. This box rides in your car, not the truck.