How to Pack for a House Move: A Room-by-Room Guide
Pack like a professional: the right boxes, how to protect fragile items, room-by-room tips, labelling that works and what never to put on the van.
Good packing is the difference between a smooth move and a day of breakages and boxes nobody can find. The principles are simple, and once you know them you can pack a home quickly and safely.
Start with the right materials
Cheap, flimsy boxes are the most common cause of damage. Gather these before you start:
- Strong boxes in three sizes: small for books and heavy items, medium for kitchen and general items, large for light bulky things like bedding.
- Wardrobe cartons to move clothes on hangers without creasing.
- Packing paper (plain, not newspaper, which can leave ink) and bubble wrap for fragile items.
- Quality packing tape and a tape gun.
- Marker pens, and coloured stickers or labels for each room.
- Mattress covers and furniture blankets if you are not using a crew that provides them.
- Zip-lock bags for screws, fixings and small parts.
Run short on boxes? A removal company can supply boxes and materials, and our packing service can do the whole job for you.
The golden rules of packing
- Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes. A large box full of books is too heavy to lift safely and likely to split.
- Fill gaps. Boxes that are half-empty collapse when stacked. Fill spaces with paper or towels.
- Tape the bottom properly, with an H-pattern along the seam and edges, and tape the top the same way.
- Never overfill. If the flaps do not close flat, the box is too full.
- Label the top and two sides so you can read them when stacked.
- Pack one room at a time so contents do not mix.
How to label boxes so unpacking is easy
Write three things on every box: the destination room, a short contents list and, if relevant, “Fragile” or “This way up”. Use a colour-coded sticker for each room and put a matching sticker on each doorway at your new home. A crew can then place boxes in the right room without asking.
Number your boxes (for example Kitchen 1/6) so you know if one is missing.
Room-by-room tips
Kitchen
The kitchen takes longest, so start early with things you rarely use.
- Wrap plates individually in paper and pack them on their edge, like records, not flat.
- Wrap glasses one by one, stuff them with paper and pack them in a box with dividers if you have them.
- Pack pans nested with paper between them, and put lids in separately.
- Empty and defrost the fridge and freezer a day ahead and leave doors ajar to dry.
- Seal dry goods in bags and box them. Use up or bin perishables.
- Knives: wrap blades in thick paper or tea towels and label the box clearly.
Living room
- Take photos of the back of the TV and your cables before you unplug them. Label cables with tape.
- Wrap lamps and shades separately, and remove bulbs.
- Pack books flat in small boxes, in layers, and not too heavy.
- Protect picture and mirror glass with a cross of tape, wrap it in paper and bubble wrap, and pack on edge.
Bedrooms
- Use wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes.
- Leave light bedding and pillows in large boxes or bags, labelled for the first night.
- Empty drawers of anything fragile or heavy, but light clothing can often stay in chests if the chest is sturdy. Check with your crew.
- Use mattress covers to keep mattresses clean.
Bathroom
- Seal bottles and put them in zip-lock bags to catch leaks.
- Keep a “first-night” bag with towels, toiletries, medication and a spare change of clothes.
Garage, shed and garden
- Hazardous items (see below) must not go on the van.
- Drain lawnmowers and strimmers of fuel and oil before the move.
- Bundle long tools together with tape or rope.
What not to pack in the boxes
For safety and legal reasons, removal companies cannot carry certain items. Ask your crew for their exact list, but expect these to be excluded:
- Gas cylinders (including camping gas and BBQ gas) and fuel
- Paint, thinners, solvents and aerosols
- Fireworks, ammunition and flammables
- Bleach and strong cleaning chemicals in bulk
- Perishable food, plants and pets
- Anything illegal
Take these to a recycling centre or arrange safe disposal in advance.
Keep these with you, not on the van
- Passports, ID, birth certificates and legal documents
- Medication and glasses
- Jewellery, cash and valuables
- Phones, laptops and chargers
- Keys, tenancy or completion paperwork
- Your “first-night” box: kettle, mugs, tea, snacks, toiletries, bedding, toilet paper, a basic toolkit and phone chargers
How long does packing take?
Most people underestimate it. As a rough guide, allow a full weekend for a 1-bedroom flat, one to two weeks of evenings for a 2-3 bedroom home and two to three weeks for a larger house. Start with the rooms you use least, and leave daily-use items until the final day.
Packing yourself or hiring a packer?
| Pack it yourself | Professional packing | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest (just materials) | Higher, but you save time |
| Time | Several days or weeks | Usually one day |
| Fragile items | Your responsibility | Handled by trained packers |
| Best for | Smaller homes, tight budgets | Busy families, short notice, valuable items |
A common compromise is a part pack: you pack the easy rooms and a professional packs the kitchen and fragile items.
Final checks before moving day
- All boxes are sealed, labelled and numbered.
- Furniture drawers and cupboards are empty or secured.
- Appliances are disconnected, defrosted and dry.
- Valuables and documents are with you.
- Your essentials box is packed last and marked “Open first”.
When you are ready for the move itself, our house removals crews take it from here. Get a free quote.
