Our Top Packing Tips (And How Many Boxes You Actually Need for Your Move)
Often, the most daunting part of the moving experience is the packing. Where to start? How many boxes do I need? Do I clean first and then pack, or clean and purge as I go? We're here to help.
Charlottesville Moving Solutions is coming up on 50 years in the business, so we've developed many tips for packing a home or office. Today we're talking about packing tips, supplies, and how many boxes you need based on the size of your move. (Scroll down for our chart on how many boxes we recommend for your house size!)
A quick note before we begin: this blog is meant to serve as a helpful guide but is not a one-size-fits-all. Supply needs may vary based on dwelling size, lifestyle, etc. We've incorporated our experiences with the homes we've moved through the years. We hope this helps!
Take inventory
The first step is to take inventory of your belongings. If you are moving with a full-service moving company like CMS, likely, you've already completed this step for your estimate. If not, try to take a visual inventory to be aware of everything that will be included in this move. Are you remembering everything in your attic, garage, shed, etc.? You don't want to be surprised on moving day by a bunch of boxes in storage that you forgot existed!
Assess
Now that you have a good gauge of your belongings, assess whether you need specialty boxes like wardrobe boxes with a hanger bar, glassware boxes with built-in dividers, or heavy-duty boxes with thicker walls for fragile items. You can purchase these items from your local hardware store or stop by our office from 9 am to 5 pm, M-F. (Oh, and did we mention we have a sale on packing supplies going through the end of November?)
Be strategic
When it comes to boxes: bigger doesn't necessarily equal better. Packing is all about strategy and finding a variety of weights to balance out the box. Try to think of your belongings as tools whenever possible; for example, you can use towels and linens to protect your more fragile items.
Try to pack boxes so that a single person can carry them without help. While cardboard is a great, lightweight packing container - it can be a cumbersome object to move between two people. Try to keep the team-effort lifting to items like large furniture. Keeping boxes light and easily transportable will speed up the moving process!
Label, label, label! Labeling will save you so much time and a headache on moving day. You can experiment with different labeling systems to see what works for you. For example, you could use colored dot stickers to denote each room and write further descriptions on the box. As you pack, cluster your boxes according to the room so that they are more likely to be in the same section of the truck. Trust us, you don't want to spend your first day in your new home looking for that one box with the tv remote. (Keep in mind, what goes on the truck last, gets unloaded first!)
Start packing with the rooms you use least, moving to the rooms you use most. It's a good idea to leave your kitchen as one of the last. We touched on labeling - but with the kitchen, it's a different ball game. Kitchens tend to be one of the most organized rooms in our homes, as it's so important to know exactly where everything is. When unpacking and figuring out how to organize your new cabinets and drawers, it'll make your life ten times easier if you've labeled in which box you packed the spatulas.
Be selective
Keep donation boxes and a trash bag nearby as you pack so you can quickly sort between things that will go with you to your new home, trash, and items you want to give away. If you're the type who tends to accumulate things (in case you might one day need them), try taking your move as an opportunity to start fresh! Being selective about what you bring into your new space can be a game-changer for how you feel in your home.
Below we have included a guide on how many boxes an average you need for homes of varying sizes. As previously stated, supply needs may vary based on various factors, but hopefully, this serves as a good starting point!
TL;DR
Take inventory of your home and belongings to get a good visual of everything you'll be packing.
Assess how many boxes you’ll need (reference our guide above!)
Be strategic with how you pack: opt for smaller boxes for heavy things, and bigger boxes for lighter things. Label everything and pack the kitchen last!
Be selective about what you bring into your new space. Purge as you pack!
We hope these tips helped you as you prepare for your move. We've got your back if you are looking for a full-service moving company in the Charlottesville area. And if you're looking for moving supplies, check out our sale that runs through November 30th! Happy packing!
