Moving can feel overwhelming, but having the right packing materials and moving supplies can make the process much easier. Whether you're moving across town, putting belongings into self storage, or relocating your business, using quality packing supplies helps protect your belongings and keeps everything organized from start to finish.
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to reduce moving day stress. Before you start packing, gather all of the supplies you'll need—and buy a little more than you think you'll use. Running out of tape or boxes halfway through packing is something everyone wants to avoid.
Here are seven essential packing supplies every move should include.
Quality moving boxes are the foundation of every successful move.
Using sturdy boxes that are designed for moving makes stacking easier and helps protect your belongings during transport and storage.
Small boxes for books and heavy items
Medium boxes for kitchenware and household goods
Large boxes for lightweight items like bedding and clothing
Wardrobe boxes
TV boxes
Mirror boxes
Picture boxes
Dish packs
Avoid using damaged or weakened boxes, especially if you'll be stacking them inside a storage unit.
Fragile items deserve extra protection.
Bubble wrap cushions delicate belongings during transportation and is ideal for:
Glassware
Dishes
Mirrors
Artwork
Electronics
Decorative items
Packing paper is equally important for wrapping dishes, filling empty spaces in boxes, and preventing items from shifting during transport.
Using both materials together significantly reduces the chance of damage.
One of the simplest ways to stay organized is to label every box.
Clearly write:
Room destination
Contents
Fragile items
Priority boxes
Many people also use coloured labels or coloured markers to assign each room its own colour, making unloading much faster.
Keeping a simple inventory of your boxes can save time when you're looking for specific belongings later.
Not all packing tape is created equal.
Choose a heavy-duty packing tape designed specifically for moving boxes. Quality tape seals better, holds more weight, and is less likely to split during transport.
A tape gun makes packing much faster and reduces hand fatigue when you're packing dozens of boxes.
Buying tape in multi-packs is often less expensive and ensures you won't run out halfway through your move.
Furniture can easily become scratched, dusty, or damaged during a move or while in storage.
Protect your belongings with:
Mattress bags
Sofa covers
Chair covers
Furniture blankets
Appliance covers
Mattress bags are particularly important because mattresses are difficult to clean once they become dirty during a move.
If you're storing furniture long-term, breathable covers help protect against dust while allowing air circulation.
Stretch wrap is one of the most versatile moving supplies you can own.
It can be used to:
Secure dresser drawers
Keep cabinet doors closed
Bundle loose items together
Protect upholstered furniture
Hold moving blankets in place
Unlike packing tape, stretch wrap sticks to itself without leaving sticky residue on furniture or appliances.
It also makes unpacking much easier.
A sharp utility knife and quality scissors are essential throughout your move.
You'll use them to:
Cut packing tape
Trim bubble wrap
Open boxes
Cut stretch wrap
Break down empty boxes
Keep more than one on hand so you're never searching for your only pair while packing or unpacking.
A few extra packing habits can save both time and frustration.
Don't overfill boxes.
Place heavy items in small boxes.
Fill empty spaces to prevent shifting.
Label every side of each box.
Pack an "essentials" box with items you'll need on your first night.
Disassemble large furniture whenever possible.
Keep hardware in labelled bags attached to the furniture.
The more organized you are before moving day, the smoother your move will be.
Many people need temporary storage while buying or selling a home, renovating, or waiting to move into a new property.
Elite Self Storage offers both drive-up storage units and climate-controlled storage units that provide a safe place to store your belongings for as long as you need.
With flexible month-to-month rentals, you won't pay for storage longer than necessary.
Moving often involves more than just boxes and tape. If you need extra space before, during, or after your move, Elite Self Storage offers secure and convenient storage solutions at two Edmonton-area locations.
Storage Units in St. Albert – Climate-controlled and drive-up storage for residential and business moves.
Storage Units in South Edmonton – Flexible month-to-month storage near major routes, ideal for moves, renovations, and decluttering.
Elite Self Storage carries many of the packing supplies you'll need, including:
Moving boxes
Packing tape
Bubble wrap
Stretch wrap
Mattress covers
Wardrobe boxes
Packing paper
Locks
We also offer secure self storage in St. Albert and South Edmonton, including climate-controlled units, drive-up storage, vehicle storage, and a variety of storage unit sizes to make your move as simple as possible.
Most moves require sturdy moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, permanent markers, furniture covers, stretch wrap, and a utility knife or scissors.
Both serve different purposes. Bubble wrap cushions fragile items, while packing paper protects surfaces and fills empty spaces inside boxes to prevent movement.
It's usually best to buy more boxes than you think you'll need. Having extra boxes prevents last-minute trips to the store and keeps your packing organized.
Yes. Furniture covers and mattress bags help protect against scratches, dust, dirt, and moisture during transportation and while in storage.
Elite Self Storage offers a variety of moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, stretch wrap, mattress covers, tape, and other packing supplies at our storage facilities.
