Cardboard boxes for moving are one of the most essential packaging supplies when it comes to moving. Different sizes are available depending on your needs: small boxes for books and heavier items, medium boxes for clothes and bedding, and large boxes for bulky items such as pillows or blankets. You can also purchase special boxes designed to protect fragile items during transport. It's important to have enough cardboard boxes on hand for the move so you don't run out of them in the middle of the move; if possible, try to buy at least 10 to 15 more boxes than you think you'll need in case of unexpected surprises when packing.
When it comes to essential moves, boxes may seem like a no-brainer. But while it may be nice to get free boxes for lighter items, you should know that not all boxes are made the same size, strength and strength make the difference. The ideal is for boxes to have different sizes, so that heavier items, such as books, can fit in smaller boxes and lighter items, such as clothes, in medium and large boxes. And you definitely don't want boxes that fall apart. Also think about whether you need special boxes, such as boxes for flat screen televisions and boxes for dish sets.
Your moving supply checklist should include not only the boxes for the move, but also the quantity you'll need for the move. To give you a better idea of how much you'll need, the following breakdown provides some general guidelines based on family size. Keep in mind that the number of boxes you would need for a 3 bedroom 1200 square foot home would be very different from that of a house of 3 bedrooms and 2200 square feet. And when it comes to the quantity of each size you'll need, it all comes down to the specific items you own.
A person who has a lot of trinkets or books will need a larger number of small boxes than a person who has a large collection of t-shirts. You can also consider purchasing a moving supply kit, which simplifies things by providing you with a variety of boxes and other essential supplies. Make sure you always have a sturdy and sharp pair of scissors handy when packing and moving. Not only will you need them to cut the adhesive tape, but they'll also be the first thing you look for when you need to re-open a box (packaging errors happen, trust me), change the size of a blanket, or make your own box for a personalized item.
Granted, a lot of people skip the box cutter because it can seem redundant when you have reliable scissors. But that would be a mistake. Box cutters are one of the essential elements for packing when moving, as they can easily cut boxes as if they were butter. This is key when you're tired and you break your boxes at the end of the move.
They are also ideal for cutting thick plastic ties, which can break scissors. These are the best options out there, according to USA Today. You won't know what's in your boxes unless you can write it all down. Avoid pens and pencils and opt for a thick highlighter (or a pack of 12, if you lose things easily). How thick? Do the eye test.
Make sure you can see what you've scrawled on the side of a box just by looking at it. The truth is that you don't want to use a 4 mm permanent marker with a normal tip or thicker than a marker with 5 mm chiseled edges. Although it's not one of the essentials for a move, some super-organized people prefer to use labels and stickers or colored dots. Color codes can be a great help when moving a large house, since you can place them on all boxes and items that aren't packaged to keep track of what belongs in each room. If you're using multiple containers for moving, using color coding can help you determine which items should fit in each container.
And the best part? If you're needing help lifting heavy objects, your color coding could help you save a lot of time, since they won't have to keep asking you where to put everything. For more information on how to organize a container move, check out these first-hand tips. To protect the floor, furniture and back, place a heavy object, such as a dresser, heavy box, or mattress, on a mobile blanket and then place it on the floor. Moving blankets can serve two purposes during the move.
First, you can use them as furniture covers or to wrap delicate items, such as bicycles, to make sure they don't get scratched or damaged. Two, you can use them to help you move heavy objects. This is a bit complicated, but you can place a heavy object, such as a dresser, a heavy box or a mattress, on a mobile blanket and then throw it on the floor. This will protect the floor, furniture and back.
If you're loading your own rental truck or moving container, you should use sturdy straps or ropes to tie and secure your belongings at regular intervals. This will help keep your things in place to prevent them from being damaged inside during the transport process. I've found that if the stand doesn't fit in the box with the TV, you can pack it in a separately labeled box, along with all the cables. I never pay to pack paper rolls or bubble bumpers, unless they come as part of a moving kit that I purchased. Then, start packing non-essential items first, followed by other items as the move-in date approaches.
Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure, but the process of packing your belongings can often be overwhelming. The more items you pack in boxes, the less “fish soup” you'll have in the end, a lot of loose and awkwardly shaped things that you have to move one at a time and pack slowly in the truck at a snail's pace. Under certain circumstances, it makes sense to use storage bins to pack things you don't plan to use right away, including items that you'll keep in a garage for months or years after you move in. If you have several items wrapped in plastic (for example, kitchen utensils that can break) in a single box, they tend to move less during transport because the plastic surfaces stick together.
Moving can be a daunting task, but with the right packaging supplies and a well-organized approach, you can make the process easier and less stressful. Over the past five years, I've helped countless people pack their bags and get in and out of their homes in Oahu, Hawaii. However, taking the time to properly purge and sort your things before you start packing can save valuable time and energy during the moving process. Starting with a weekly packing checklist can make this process less stressful and helps answer the question of how to pack for a move.
For the best prices, consider buying box sets (or moving kits that include other packaging supplies), rather than buying boxes separately. Having the right packaging supplies on hand can make a significant difference in ensuring an organized and smooth move.
