Professional Packing Tips: How to Pack for Your Move

Packing Supplies You Actually Need

Buy all supplies before you start packing — running to the store mid-pack kills momentum. Here's what a professional packer uses:

Buy boxes from U-Haul, Home Depot, Lowe's, or Amazon. Avoid U-Haul's specialty boxes (overpriced) — standard dish packs and wardrobe boxes are available everywhere.

How to Pack the Kitchen

The kitchen is the hardest room to pack and the most likely source of damage claims. Take your time here.

Dishes and plates:

• Use dedicated dish pack boxes (double-walled, 18x18x28") for all dishes and glassware
• Pack plates vertically (like records), never stacked flat — they're 4x more likely to break lying flat
• Wrap each plate individually in packing paper or bubble wrap with 2 sheets minimum
• Place crumpled paper at the bottom (3") and top (3") of every box as cushioning
• Fill all gaps with crumpled paper — no rattling = no breaking

Glasses and stemware:

• Stuff glasses with crumpled paper before wrapping the outside
• Wrap each glass individually in 2 sheets of packing paper
• Stand glasses upright — never on their side
• Use cell dividers inside boxes for extra protection

Pots and pans:

• Nest smaller pans inside larger ones
• Place packing paper between each layer
• Lids pack separately — wrap individually
• Heavy items (cast iron) go in small boxes, never large ones

Small appliances:

• Use original boxes whenever possible — they're designed for the item's shape
• Wrap in bubble wrap and label 'Fragile' if original box is unavailable
• Tape cords to the appliance with painter's tape — they don't go loose in the box

How to Pack Bedrooms

Clothing:

• Wardrobe boxes for hanging items — clothes go directly on the hanging bar. Maximum 24" of clothes per box (don't overstuff)
• Drawer contents stay in drawers for short moves (remove drawers and carry separately)
• Fold casual clothes and pack in large boxes with linens — use 'bundle wrapping' (large flat items wrap smaller items)
• Vacuum seal bags for out-of-season clothing — compresses to 1/3 the volume

Bedding and pillows:

• Use large boxes for comforters and pillows — these are bulky but very light
• Mattresses require mattress bags (available for $10–$20) — never move a bare mattress, they absorb dirt and can't be cleaned
• Box springs can be damaged without bags — cover or use manufacturer cardboard

Books:

• Use small boxes only — books are extremely heavy. A full large box of books can exceed 100 lbs and will either break the box or injure someone
• Pack books flat (not spine-down) to prevent spine damage
• Ship heavy book collections via USPS Media Mail ($4–$8/box) — much cheaper than paying movers by weight

Dressers and furniture:

• Remove all items from drawers before the move (movers won't move loaded furniture safely)
• Tape drawers closed with stretch wrap, not tape (tape damages finishes)
• Remove and wrap mirror elements separately

How to Pack Electronics Safely

Electronics are expensive and fragile. These are the items most likely to result in damage claims — and most often improperly packed.

TVs:

• Use the original box whenever possible — purpose-built foam inserts protect the specific TV model
• Without original box: use a TV moving box (available at Home Depot/U-Haul in sizes up to 70") with foam corner protectors
• Never lay a flat-screen TV face-down during transport — transport upright or at a slight angle
• Remove wall mounts before moving — pack separately

Computers and laptops:

• Back up all data to cloud or external drive BEFORE packing
• Original boxes preferred; otherwise, wrap in anti-static bubble wrap
• Remove monitors from stands and pack separately
• Label 'FRAGILE — ELECTRONICS' on all sides

Cables and accessories:

• Bundle cables with velcro ties and label each with a tag (which device it belongs to)
• Place in labeled zip-lock bags, then pack in a box labeled 'Electronics Accessories — Setup First'
• Photo your TV stand and entertainment center setup before disassembly — speeds reassembly

If movers damage electronics you packed yourself: Unfortunately, most mover insurance excludes damage to self-packed electronics. Consider Full Value Protection only on electronics you want the mover to pack, or use third-party insurance that covers self-packed items.

The Professional Labeling System

Professional packers use a labeling system that makes unpacking fast and logical. Here's how:

Every box gets labeled on at least 2 sides (not the top — it gets stacked on) with:

1. Destination room in large letters: KITCHEN, MASTER BEDROOM, LIVING ROOM
2. Contents summary: 'Dishes — fragile' or 'Books — heavy' or 'Bathroom linens'
3. Priority number (optional but useful): 1 = unpack first, 3 = unpack last
4. Fragile label on appropriate boxes — at least 3 sides

Color-coding system:

• Buy color-coded dot stickers in 6–8 colors — one color per room
• Put matching color dots on the doorframe of each room in your new home
• Movers immediately know where every box goes — eliminates the need to read every box
• This one step saves 20–30 minutes of unloading time on a typical family move

The essential box (pack last, unpack first):

• Label this box 'OPEN FIRST — ESSENTIALS'
• Include: toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, phone chargers, medications, coffee maker, 2-day supply of dishes/utensils, trash bags, a change of clothes for each person, bedding for one night
• Load this box last on the truck so it comes off first