There are a lot of things to think about when you're packing and moving. If you think all you need is a few boxes, you may want to reconsider. Having the right moving and packing supplies on hand can make packing easier, protect your belongings and help your move stay organized.
Here are nine essential moving and packing supplies to have before you get started:
Moving boxes
Packing tape
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
Stretch wrap
Marking pens and labels
Mattress bags and furniture covers
Plastic bags and resealable bags
Box cutter or utility knife
Moving boxes come in a variety of sizes, and choosing the right size for what you're packing is important.
Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books, dishes, tools and canned goods. Large boxes are better for lightweight belongings such as pillows, blankets and towels. Medium boxes work well for many household items, including pots and pans, small appliances and lampshades.
Fill empty spaces with packing paper or other appropriate packing material to help prevent belongings from shifting during your move.
Used boxes can save money, but inspect them carefully. Boxes that have already been used may have weakened sides, bottoms or corners that make them less suitable for heavy belongings or long-term storage.
New moving boxes provide consistent sizes and make stacking easier, which can be particularly helpful if your belongings are going into a storage unit.
The number of boxes you'll need depends on several factors:
Number of rooms
Size of your home
Number of people in your household
How long you've lived there
How much you've accumulated
It's better to have a few extra boxes than to run out in the middle of packing.
Wardrobe boxes are another useful option. Built-in hanging bars allow you to move clothing directly from your closet without folding everything.
Good packing tape is essential for securely closing moving boxes.
Choose tape designed for packing and shipping rather than masking or regular household tape. A tape dispenser can also make packing a large number of boxes much faster.
Apply enough tape to securely reinforce the bottom and top seams, particularly when packing heavier belongings.
Bubble wrap provides cushioning for fragile and breakable items during moving and storage.
Use it for dishes, glassware, electronics, artwork, decorations and other belongings that need additional protection.
Different bubble sizes provide different levels of cushioning. Smaller bubbles work well for lighter, delicate items, while larger bubbles can provide additional cushioning for heavier or irregularly shaped belongings.
Packing paper is another useful option for wrapping dishes, glassware and other fragile belongings.
It can also be crumpled and used to fill empty spaces inside boxes, helping prevent items from shifting during transportation.
Choose clean, ink-free packing paper rather than newspaper, which can transfer ink onto your belongings.
Stretch wrap is one of the most versatile moving supplies.
It can be used to secure drawers and cabinet doors, bundle items together or help hold protective coverings in place.
It's particularly useful for grouping awkward items such as brooms, mops and some garden tools so they're easier to move.
Clearly labelling your boxes will make both moving day and unpacking much easier.
Write the room and a brief description of the contents on each box. For example:
Kitchen – Baking Dishes & Mixing Bowls
You can also use a colour-coded system by assigning a different colour to each room.
If your belongings are going into storage, label more than one side of each box so you can identify the contents even when boxes are stacked.
Creating an inventory or master list can make it even easier to keep track of everything you've packed.
Mattresses and furniture can pick up dirt, dust and scuffs during a move.
Mattress bags, furniture covers and moving blankets provide an extra layer of protection during transportation and storage.
Make sure furniture and mattresses are clean and completely dry before covering and storing them.
Resealable plastic bags are extremely useful when disassembling furniture.
Place screws, bolts and other small hardware into a labelled bag and keep it with the corresponding piece of furniture. This makes reassembly much easier after your move.
Heavy-duty bags can also be useful during the moving process for lightweight, soft items such as clothing or linens. For longer-term storage, sturdy boxes or appropriate storage containers are generally easier to stack, organize and label.
A box cutter or utility knife is useful for opening boxes and cutting packing tape, stretch wrap and other packing materials.
Keep one handy during both your move and unpacking, and always use and store cutting tools safely.
Having your packing supplies ready before moving day can save time and help protect your belongings throughout your move.
Elite Self Storage carries a variety of moving and packing supplies at our South Edmonton and St. Albert locations, including moving boxes, packing materials and other essentials to help you prepare for your move.
If you also need additional space during your move, we offer climate-controlled storage and drive-up storage in a variety of sizes.
Learn more about the benefits of using self storage when moving.
The basics include moving boxes, packing tape, packing paper or bubble wrap, stretch wrap, labels or markers, furniture protection and a box cutter. What you'll need beyond that depends on what you're moving.
Both can work, but new moving boxes are generally stronger and easier to stack because they're available in consistent sizes. If using second-hand boxes, check that they're clean, dry and structurally sound.
Use small boxes for heavy items, medium boxes for general household belongings and large boxes for lightweight items such as pillows and bedding. Avoid making large boxes too heavy to safely lift.
Elite Self Storage carries moving and packing supplies at our South Edmonton and St. Albert storage locations. You can pick up supplies while preparing for your move or renting a storage unit.
Having the right supplies before you start packing can make moving easier and help keep your belongings organized and protected.
Stop by Elite Self Storage South Edmonton or Elite Self Storage St. Albert for moving and packing supplies, or explore our storage options if you need extra space before, during or after your move.
