Moving is easier when you have the right supplies ready before you start packing. Good boxes, strong tape and protective materials can help keep your belongings safe and make moving day more organized.
Whether you're moving across Edmonton or St. Albert, downsizing or putting belongings into storage, here are some packing supplies and tips to help you get started.
Not every item should go into the same size box.
Use small boxes for heavy items such as:
Books
Tools
Dishes
Canned goods
Small appliances
Smaller boxes help keep heavy loads manageable.
Medium boxes are useful for many everyday household items, including:
Toys
Décor
Office supplies
Kitchen items
Small appliances
They're a good general-purpose box to have on hand during a move.
Save large boxes for lightweight items such as:
Bedding
Towels
Pillows
Clothing
Avoid filling a large box with heavy items. It can become difficult to lift and may be more likely to break.
Use packing tape designed for moving boxes rather than regular household or masking tape.
Secure both the top and bottom of each box. Heavier boxes may need additional tape along the seams.
A tape dispenser or tape gun can also make packing much faster when you have a lot of boxes to seal.
Bubble wrap and packing paper can help protect breakable belongings during a move.
Use them for items such as:
Dishes and glassware
Electronics
Mirrors
Artwork
Decorations
Wrap fragile pieces separately and add packing material to empty spaces in the box. This helps prevent items from moving around during transportation.
Moving blankets, furniture covers and mattress bags can help protect larger belongings from dust, dirt, scratches and scuffs during a move.
Make sure furniture and mattresses are clean and completely dry before covering or storing them.
If furniture can be taken apart, disassemble it before moving. Keep screws and other hardware in a labelled resealable bag and attach it to the corresponding piece.
Good labels can save a lot of time when you arrive at your new home or storage unit.
Write the room and a short description of the contents on each box. For example:
Kitchen – Pots & Pans
Bedroom – Bedding
Living Room – Fragile Décor
Label the top and at least one side so you can identify boxes when they're stacked.
Read our guide on how to label boxes for storage for more ideas.
Plastic bins can be useful for items that you'll keep in storage or access regularly.
They're especially convenient for seasonal decorations, sporting equipment, business supplies and other belongings that you may take in and out of storage throughout the year.
Choose bins that stack securely and label them just as you would moving boxes.
Good packing doesn't need to be complicated.
Pack one room at a time.
Put heavier items on the bottom.
Don't make boxes too heavy to lift safely.
Fill empty spaces inside boxes.
Clearly mark fragile belongings.
Keep important items together.
Pack an essentials box for your first night.
Starting early can also make a big difference. Packing a few boxes each day is usually much easier than trying to pack an entire home at once.
Sometimes moving dates don't line up perfectly. You may also be downsizing, renovating or moving into temporary accommodations.
A storage unit can give you extra space during the transition.
Self storage can be useful for:
Furniture you aren't ready to move
Seasonal belongings
Boxes you've packed early
Business inventory
Items you're keeping while downsizing
For belongings that may be affected by Alberta's changing temperatures, climate-controlled storage may be worth considering.
You can also read our guide on preparing to move with self storage.
Elite Self Storage offers storage options for customers moving in Edmonton and St. Albert.
Our South Edmonton and St. Albert locations offer a variety of storage unit sizes and types, including climate-controlled and drive-up storage. We also offer vehicle and RV storage.
If you're moving into a smaller home, our guide to downsizing with self storage has more tips.
Having the right packing supplies can make moving easier. Start with sturdy boxes, strong tape and protective materials, then label everything so you know where it belongs.
Elite Self Storage offers moving and packing supplies along with storage options in Edmonton and St. Albert.
