How to pack for a move: a step-by-step plan that keeps your stuff safe and your move on schedule.
Packing is the biggest job in almost every move, and the one people most often leave too late. This guide pulls together everything we’ve learned since 2006: when to start, what to buy, what to pack first, how to pack every room, and the mistakes that cost movers time and money.
How to Pack for a Move in 10 Steps
- Start early. Begin packing four to six weeks out for most homes, longer for large ones.
- Declutter first. Sell, donate or toss what you won’t use before you pay to box and move it.
- Gather supplies. Get more boxes, tape and packing paper than you think you’ll need.
- Set up a packing station. Choose one room for supplies, tape and finished boxes.
- Pack from least used to most used. Start with storage areas and seasonal items, and finish with daily essentials.
- Work one room at a time. Don’t mix rooms in a box.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes. Keep every box under about 50 pounds and fill empty space.
- Label every box on the top and two sides with the room and contents.
- Pack an open-first box and an overnight bag for your first day and night.
- Load in reverse order. Seldom-used boxes go in first, essentials go in last.
Packing Timeline: When to Pack What
Most people underestimate how long packing takes. A useful rule is about one day of steady packing per room, and more for kitchens, garages and anywhere with years of accumulated stuff.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks out | Declutter room by room. Schedule a garage sale or donation pickup. Book movers, a truck or a portable container. Start a central moving checklist. |
| 4–6 weeks out | Buy or collect boxes and supplies. Pack storage areas: attic, basement, garage, closets, off-season clothes, holiday decor, books and keepsakes. |
| 2–4 weeks out | Pack decor, art, extra linens, guest rooms and most of the living room. Start using up food in the freezer and pantry. |
| 1 week out | Pack most of the kitchen, leaving a few basics. Pack most clothes. Disassemble furniture you won’t need and bag the hardware. |
| 1–2 days out | Pack remaining kitchen items, toiletries you can spare and electronics. Defrost the fridge. Pack your open-first box and overnight bag. |
| Moving day | Strip beds, pack bedding and the last daily-use items, and keep cleaning supplies out for a final once-over. |
Want the full to-do list? Download our free printable moving and packing checklist.
Packing Supplies Checklist
Running out of supplies halfway through is one of the biggest causes of packing delays. Set everything up in one place before you start.
Boxes
- Small boxes for heavy items
- Medium boxes for most things
- Large boxes for light, bulky items
- Wardrobe and dish-pack boxes
Protection
- Packing paper (cheaper than bubble wrap for dishes)
- Bubble wrap for electronics and art
- Furniture pads or old blankets
- Stretch wrap for drawers and upholstery
Sealing and labeling
- Packing tape and a tape gun
- Thick permanent markers
- Colored labels or tape by room
- A notebook or app for your inventory
Easy-to-forget extras
- Zip-top bags for screws and hardware
- Box cutter and scissors
- Basic tool kit for disassembly
- Bungee cords and a tarp if you’re using a pickup
Declutter Before You Pack
Every item you get rid of is one less thing to wrap, box, carry, pay to move and unpack. Go room by room with four piles: keep, sell, donate and toss. A quick test: if you haven’t used something in a year and wouldn’t buy it again, let it go.
- Sell furniture and higher-value items on Facebook Marketplace or at a garage sale, and use the cash toward the move.
- Donate usable clothes, housewares and books. Many charities offer free pickup.
- Toss or recycle anything broken, expired or beyond repair.
- Think about your new home. Moving somewhere warmer? Heavy winter gear can go. Moving to a smaller place? Measure before you pack big furniture.
Not ready to part with something, or waiting on a closing date? A storage unit can hold the overflow. Compare self storage prices near you.
What to Pack First and What to Pack Last
The simplest way to organize packing is to split everything into three stages based on how soon you’ll need it.
Stage 1: Seldom-used items
Pack these first, weeks ahead. Anything you haven’t used in the past couple of months and won’t need before moving day: off-season clothing, holiday decorations, photo albums and keepsakes, old records and files, extra linens, books, hobby gear, and everything in the attic, basement and storage closets.
Stage 2: Need-it-soon items
Pack these a few days to a week before the move. Things you use regularly but can live without briefly: most clothes (keep a few outfits), most of the kitchen (switch to paper plates and takeout), decor, most electronics and toys.
Stage 3: Need-it-now items
Pack these last, on moving day or the night before. Toiletries, medications, phone chargers, pet supplies, a change of clothes, bedding, toilet paper and cleaning supplies for the final clean.
This order also sets your unpacking order. Stage 3 boxes get opened first at the new place, and Stage 1 boxes can wait until you’re settled.
How to Pack a Box the Right Way
- Reinforce the bottom. Tape the bottom seam and across both edges, or use an H pattern. Folding the flaps alone isn’t enough.
- Heavy on the bottom, light on top. Put the heaviest items in first and lighter items above them.
- Match weight to box size. Books, tools and canned goods go in small boxes. Pillows and linens go in large ones. Keep every box under about 50 pounds, and test by lifting it.
- Fill every gap. Use packing paper, towels or clothing so nothing shifts. A box should not rattle when you tip it.
- Fill boxes to the top. Under-filled boxes crush when stacked, and over-filled ones bulge and won’t stack.
- Keep rooms separate. Mixing rooms creates extra work when you unpack.
- Seal the top the same way as the bottom, then label it.
Labeling and Inventory: The System That Saves Hours
Good labels make unloading faster, since movers know where each box goes, and make unpacking painless.
- Label the top and at least two sides so you can read it when boxes are stacked.
- Use a two-part label: the destination room first (“KITCHEN”), then the contents (“pots and pans”).
- Number every box and keep a matching inventory list in a notebook or phone app. You’ll know right away if anything goes missing.
- Color-code by room with colored tape or stickers, and put matching colors on each room’s door in the new home.
- Mark special boxes clearly: FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP, and OPEN FIRST.
- Keep a central moving checklist with confirmation numbers, dates and phone numbers all in one place.
Room-by-Room Packing Tips
Kitchen
Use dish-pack boxes and pack plates on their edges, not flat, with paper between each one. Stuff glasses with paper and wrap them individually. Pack knives in a towel or cardboard sleeve. Use up perishables before the move, and keep a small box of basics for the last days.
Bedrooms and closets
Use wardrobe boxes, or pull a trash bag up over hanging clothes and tie it at the hangers. Leave clothes in dresser drawers if the dresser is light enough to carry, and stretch-wrap the drawers shut. Pack shoes in pairs.
Bathroom
Tape or cling-wrap under the caps of liquids and bag them in case of leaks. Pack only what you won’t need before moving day, and keep daily toiletries for your overnight bag.
Living room and electronics
Photograph cable setups before unplugging. Use original boxes if you still have them, or wrap electronics in bubble wrap or blankets. Bag and label cords and remotes. Pack lamps separately from their shades.
Fragile items and art
Double-box valuable breakables and use plenty of cushioning. See our detailed guides to packing fragile items, packing artwork and packing framed pictures.
Furniture
Disassemble what you can and put screws and bolts in labeled zip-top bags taped to the piece. Wrap furniture in pads or blankets to protect it from door frames. Learn more in how to pack and wrap furniture.
Garage and tools
Drain gas and oil from mowers and power equipment. Pack hand tools in small, sturdy boxes or keep them in their toolboxes. Most movers won’t take paint, propane or chemicals, so plan to use them up or dispose of them properly.
Books and papers
Books go in small boxes only, packed flat or spine-down. Keep important documents such as passports, titles, birth certificates and financial records with you rather than on the truck.
Pack an Open-First Box and an Overnight Bag
You’ll likely arrive tired, and the last thing you want is to dig through dozens of boxes for a toothbrush. Pack one clearly marked OPEN FIRST box that rides with you or goes on the truck last:
Open-first box
- Toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags
- A cheap shower curtain and towels
- Bedding and pillows for the first night
- A few plates, cups and utensils
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Box cutter, basic tools, light bulbs
- First aid kit
Overnight bag
- Two changes of clothes
- Toiletries and medications
- Phone, laptop and chargers
- Important documents and valuables
- Snacks and water
- Pet food and supplies
What Not to Pack
Most movers, truck rental companies and container companies prohibit certain items, and some things are simply too important to put on a truck.
- Hazardous materials: gasoline, propane, paint, aerosols, cleaning chemicals, fireworks and ammunition.
- Perishable food and anything that could spoil, leak or attract pests.
- Plants and pets, which should travel with you.
- Valuables and documents: jewelry, cash, passports, titles, medical records and irreplaceable heirlooms.
Storing belongings rather than moving them? Rules are similar. See what’s prohibited in storage units.
Loading the Truck or Container
Load in the reverse of the order you’ll need things. Heavy furniture and appliances go in first against the front wall, then Stage 1 boxes, then Stage 2, with essentials and your open-first box loaded last so they come off first. Stack heavy boxes on the bottom, keep weight evenly distributed side to side, and fill gaps so nothing shifts. A hand truck or dolly makes this far faster and safer.
Using a portable container? Weight distribution matters even more. See our 17 packing hacks for PODS containers and compare the best portable storage container companies.
7 Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid
Starting too late
Last-minute packing leads to broken items, lost belongings and a lot of stress. Start with storage areas as soon as you have a date.
Moving things you don’t want
Skipping the declutter means paying to pack, move and unpack stuff you’ll get rid of later anyway.
Using weak or wrong supplies
Flimsy boxes and grocery bags fail under weight. Use sturdy boxes for anything heavy or fragile.
Overloading big boxes
A large box of books is a back injury waiting to happen, and it’s likely to split open.
Skipping labels
Unlabeled boxes end up in the wrong rooms and turn unpacking into a treasure hunt.
Losing the hardware
Loose screws and bolts disappear. Bag, label and tape them to the furniture they belong to.
Packing the essentials
Keep medications, chargers, documents and first-night supplies with you, not buried on the truck.
Get your boxes and supplies
Compare prices at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, U-Haul and more, plus where to get free boxes.
Compare Moving Box PricesMoving with a container?
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Get the PODS Promo CodePacking FAQs
How far in advance should I start packing?
Start four to six weeks before your move for most homes, and six to eight weeks for large homes or if you have a lot to declutter. Begin with storage areas and seasonal items, then work toward everyday things.
What should I pack first when moving?
Pack the things you use least: off-season clothes, holiday decorations, keepsakes, books, extra linens and anything stored in the attic, basement, garage or closets.
What should I pack last?
Pack daily essentials last: toiletries, medications, chargers, a few changes of clothes, bedding, basic kitchen items, pet supplies and cleaning supplies.
How long does it take to pack a house?
Plan on roughly one full day of packing per room, and more for kitchens and garages. A one-bedroom apartment might take two to three days of steady work, while a three-bedroom home can take a week or more spread over several weekends.
How heavy should a moving box be?
Keep each box under about 50 pounds so it can be lifted safely. Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes.
How do I pack clothes for moving?
Use wardrobe boxes or cover hanging clothes with trash bags tied at the hangers. Folded clothes can go in suitcases, large boxes or light dresser drawers. Donate anything you no longer wear before you pack.
What is the best way to pack dishes?
Use sturdy dish-pack boxes, wrap each plate in packing paper and stand plates on their edges rather than stacking them flat. Wrap glasses individually, fill every gap, and mark the box FRAGILE.