Packing is where most of the physical work of a move happens, and also where most avoidable damage occurs. A structured approach to packing — starting weeks before the move and working room by room — reduces both the time spent and the number of items that arrive broken, misplaced, or in the wrong room at the destination.

This article covers a practical system for packing household contents, including which rooms to tackle first, how to handle fragile and high-value items, and what labeling system works best for movers who don't know your house.

When to start packing

Most households benefit from beginning to pack four to six weeks before the move date. The principle is simple: start with rooms and items you use least frequently, and leave the most-used areas for the final few days.

A rough sequence for most households:

  • Storage areas first: basement, attic, storage rooms — items rarely accessed
  • Guest rooms and spare bedrooms
  • Books, decorative objects, out-of-season clothing
  • Living room non-essentials (picture frames, decorative items)
  • Kitchen — except daily-use appliances and a few dishes
  • Bedrooms — one per day in the final week
  • Bathroom, daily essentials, and the "essentials kit" last

Box selection and sourcing

New boxes from moving supply stores offer consistent sizing and clean structural integrity. Used boxes — from grocery stores, liquor stores, or online listings — are cost-effective but should be inspected for moisture damage, which weakens the cardboard and can cause collapse under weight.

Common box sizes and their typical uses:

  • Small (1.5 cubic feet): Books, canned goods, tools — heavy items that should stay in smaller containers
  • Medium (3 cubic feet): Kitchenware, small appliances, toys
  • Large (4.5 cubic feet): Linens, pillows, lighter clothing
  • Wardrobe box: Hanging garments transferred directly from closet to box on a rod — no folding required
  • Dish pack / cell box: Divided cardboard inserts for glasses and dishware
Packing materials checklist
  • Boxes in multiple sizes (small, medium, large, wardrobe)
  • Packing tape and tape gun — at least two rolls per room
  • Packing paper (unprinted newsprint) for wrapping fragile items
  • Bubble wrap for electronics, ceramics, and glass
  • Permanent markers (multiple) for labeling
  • Color-coded tape or stickers for room identification
  • Stretch wrap for securing drawers and furniture hardware
  • Mattress bags for beds

Labeling system

A clear labeling system is the single highest-impact organizational step. Boxes that are labeled with room destination and a brief content description can be placed directly in the correct room by movers, eliminating the need to sort and redirect after the fact.

A practical labeling format includes three elements on each box:

  • Destination room — written large on two or more sides of the box so it's visible from multiple angles
  • Brief content description — "Kitchen / baking supplies" or "Master bedroom / winter clothes"
  • Handling note — "Fragile," "This side up," or "Heavy" where relevant

Color-coded tape adds a visual layer. Assign one tape color per room (available at hardware stores in rolls), mark a stripe on each box, and post a color key near the entrance of the new home. Movers following color cues can place boxes without reading labels — useful when working quickly.

Packing fragile and high-value items

Dishes and glassware require individual wrapping with packing paper. Plates pack most safely standing vertically — stacked flat, they're more vulnerable to breakage under weight. Glasses wrapped in paper and nested inside each other should be placed upright. Fill any empty space in the box with crumpled paper to prevent shifting.

For electronics, original packaging is ideal. If original boxes are unavailable, electronics should be wrapped in anti-static bubble wrap (standard bubble wrap can carry static charge that damages sensitive components). Hard drives and laptops should travel with you in the vehicle rather than in the moving truck.

The general standard in the industry is that movers are not liable for damage to items they did not pack. For high-value or irreplaceable items, self-packing with documented materials is the safer approach.

Furniture disassembly

Furniture that can be disassembled — bed frames, shelving units, desks with removable legs — is easier to transport and less vulnerable to damage in transit. When disassembling, bag all hardware (screws, bolts, cam locks) and tape the bag directly to the piece it belongs to. Taking a photo before disassembly serves as a reference during reassembly.

The essentials kit

Designate one or two boxes — ideally a clearly marked bag or small box — that contains everything you will need for the first 24 to 48 hours in the new home. This kit should not go into the truck; it travels with you.

Typical contents include:

  • Medications, first aid basics
  • Phone and laptop chargers
  • A set of dishes and utensils
  • Coffee or tea supplies if you use them daily
  • Toilet paper, hand soap, and a towel
  • A change of clothes for each person
  • Important documents: ID, lease or purchase agreement, insurance papers
  • Cash or payment card accessible for tips or last-minute purchases
  • Children's items: snacks, a favourite book or toy

Arriving at a new home with a functional kit means the first evening is manageable regardless of how much remains unpacked. Most of the other boxes can wait until the following day.

Inventorying your boxes

For larger moves, maintaining a numbered box inventory — a simple spreadsheet or even a notepad — makes it significantly easier to confirm that everything arrived and to locate specific items without opening every box. Assign each box a number and log it with a brief content description. When boxes arrive at the destination, check numbers against the inventory.

This approach also serves as supporting documentation if you need to file a claim with the moving company for a missing or damaged item.