Packing is where a move is won or lost. Well-packed, clearly labelled boxes mean you spend moving day directing traffic instead of hunting for the jug. This guide covers packing and labelling boxes, how to move your fridge, how to handle pantry items, and fragile packing tips that prevent breakages. It works for a small unit or a large family home.
How Far in Advance Should You Start Packing?
Most households should start two to four weeks before moving day. A one-bedroom unit may only need a week or two, while a four-bedroom home with a garage can take a month. Start with the least-used rooms (spare room, garage, linen cupboard, out-of-season clothes) and finish with the kitchen and bathroom.
Step 1: Declutter Before You Pack
Every item you don’t pack is one you don’t have to wrap, carry, load, and unpack. Walk through each room and sort belongings into four piles: keep, donate, sell, bin. Decluttering first can also reduce the number of boxes you need to buy.
Step 2: Gather the Right Moving Boxes for Packing
What supplies do you need to pack a house?
- Sturdy moving boxes for packing in several sizes
- Quality packing tape and a tape gun
- Packing paper, bubble wrap, and old towels for padding
- Thick permanent markers in at least two colours
- Coloured stickers or labels
- Wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes
- Zip bags for screws, bolts, and small fittings
- Mattress and furniture covers
How many moving boxes do you need to pack a house?
As a rough guide, expect around 10 to 15 boxes for a studio or one-bedroom home, 25 to 40 for two bedrooms, and 50 to 100 or more for a family home. Kitchens, books, and wardrobes use the most, so buy a few extra and return the spares if you can.
Should you use new or second-hand boxes?
Second-hand boxes are fine if they are clean, dry, and rigid. Avoid cartons that are soft at the corners, water-stained, or previously used for heavy loads, because they collapse when stacked.
If you’d rather skip the supply run altogether, Butler’s Removals can help with packing support, so you can match the level of help to your budget and timeline.
The Golden Rules of Packing Boxes
- Heavy items go in small boxes. Books, tins, and tools in a large carton become unliftable. Keep each box to a weight one person can lift comfortably.
- Fill the gaps. Empty space lets items shift and break. Pad with paper or soft linen until nothing rattles when you gently shake the box.
- Keep like with like. Don’t mix bathroom items with study items. Single-room boxes unpack faster.
- Tape the base properly. Run tape along the centre seam and across both edges, with a second layer on heavier cartons.
- Put heavy items at the bottom. Place lighter, softer items on top.
- Don’t overfill or underfill. Lids should close flat. Bulging boxes can’t be stacked safely.
Packing and Labelling Boxes: A System That Works
A label like “Misc” or “Stuff” helps no one. When packing and labelling boxes, each label should answer three questions: where does it go, what is in it, and how should it be handled?
1. Label by destination room, not the room you packed it in
Write the new home’s room name. Movers can then place each box straight where it belongs.
2. Add a short contents list
Two or three key items are enough, such as “Kitchen: saucepans, baking trays, utensils.”
3. Mark handling instructions
Use clear notes such as FRAGILE, THIS WAY UP, or HEAVY.
4. Number your boxes and keep an inventory
Number each carton (for example, 14 of 60) and record the contents on paper or your phone. It makes missing boxes obvious.
5. Label every side, not just the lid
Stacked boxes hide their tops, so write on at least two sides.
What should you write on moving boxes?
The destination room, a short contents list, the box number, and any handling warning. If a box holds something you’ll need early, add a priority note such as “OPEN FIRST” or “Unpack Day 1.”
What is the best marker for labelling boxes?
A thick black permanent marker is the most readable. Avoid pencil, ballpoint pen, and small handwriting, since none can be read from a distance.
Colour Code Moving Boxes by Room
Colour coding makes sorting almost instant. Assign one colour per room, put a coloured sticker on the side of each box, then place a matching sticker on the doorway of that room in your new home. Anyone helping, even someone who has never seen the house, can deliver boxes to the right spot without asking.
- Blue: kitchen
- Green: bedrooms
- Yellow: bathroom and laundry
- Red: lounge and dining
- Orange: office and study
- Purple: garage and outdoor
Use a different shade or an extra mark for each bedroom if there’s more than one.
Fragile Packing Tips for Glass, China and Keepsakes
These fragile packing tips apply to glassware, crockery, ornaments, and anything that could chip or crack:
- Wrap every piece individually in clean packing paper, then add a layer of bubble wrap for extra delicate items.
- Heaviest items at the bottom, lighter pieces on top, with a cushioning layer between each level.
- Use small, sturdy cartons so the contents can’t build up weight on the pieces underneath.
- Fill every gap with crumpled paper or towels, and give the box a gentle shake to check nothing moves.
- Stand plates on their edge rather than stacking them flat, as they handle pressure better this way.
- Skip newspaper for fine china, because ink can transfer to the surface.
- Mark the box FRAGILE on every side with “This way up” arrows, and tape the base twice.
- Never stack heavy boxes on top of fragile cartons, and let your removalists know which boxes need extra care.
How to Pack Each Room of the House
How to pack a kitchen for moving
Start with items you rarely use, such as serving platters and specialty appliances. Nest bowls with paper between them, wrap glasses individually, and pad the bottom and top of each box. Follow the fragile packing tips above for anything breakable. Keep a small kit of essentials (a few plates, mugs, and cutlery) out until the last day.
Moving pantry items without the mess
Moving pantry items is easier when you plan it a few weeks ahead:
- Use up what you can in the weeks before the move. Plan meals around tins, pasta, and open packets.
- Check what your removalists will carry. Many won’t transport perishable or frozen food, so confirm in advance.
- Seal everything. Tape lids on jars and bottles, close open packets with clips or tape, and put loose items such as flour, rice, and sugar into airtight containers or sturdy zip bags.
- Pack small and heavy. Tins and jars add up quickly, so use small boxes and fill any gaps with paper.
- Keep liquids upright and place them in a plastic tub or bag in case of leaks.
- Throw out expired items and anything half-used that you won’t miss.
- Label the box “Pantry” with a note about contents, and mark the one holding your everyday basics so it’s the first you open.
How to move your fridge
If you plan to move your fridge, a little preparation protects both the appliance and your floors:
- Empty it completely and clear out the freezer. Plan to use or dispose of perishables beforehand.
- Defrost and clean it a day or so before moving day. Leave the doors open to dry so mould and odours don’t develop.
- Remove or secure loose parts, such as shelves, drawers, and glass trays. Wrap them separately or tape them in place.
- Secure the doors with tape or a strap, and tie down or tape the power cord.
- Keep it upright during transport wherever possible, as laying a fridge down can affect the compressor.
- Let it settle after the move. Many manufacturers recommend leaving the fridge standing for a few hours before switching it on, so check your user manual.
- Measure doorways and hallways in both homes, and clear a path before the movers arrive.
A fridge is heavy and awkward, so this is a job for two or more people or a professional removalist.
Frequently asked questions
Use wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes to keep them crease-free. Fold the rest into medium boxes or bags, and keep shoes in a separate carton. Vacuum bags are helpful for bulky bedding, winter clothes, and doonas.
Light clothing can stay in lightweight drawers, but remove anything heavy, and check with your removalists first. Drawers filled with weight are hard to carry and can damage the furniture itself.
Use small boxes only. Lay books flat or spine-down, fill any gaps, and stop well before the carton gets heavy. A dozen small book boxes are easier to handle than three huge ones.
Strip beds, dismantle frames if needed, and bag all screws and bolts. Tape each bag to the furniture it belongs to. Cover mattresses to keep them clean and dry.
Seal liquids in zip bags in case of leaks, pack toiletries upright, and keep a small bag of daily essentials with you.
Photograph the cable setup before unplugging anything, then bag and label each cord. Keep important documents, passports, and hard drives with you rather than on the truck.
Use the original box if you still have it. If not, wrap the screen in a soft blanket, use a TV-specific carton if available, and always transport the TV upright.
Tape an X across glass, wrap in paper and bubble wrap, add cardboard corner protectors, and store the piece upright, never flat. Label clearly so it isn’t stacked under heavy cartons.
Drain fuel from lawnmowers and petrol tools, bundle long-handled tools together, and use small boxes for heavy hardware.
Longer trips mean more vibration and more handling, so stronger packing is essential. Use extra padding, double-tape the bases, and number every box so you can quickly confirm the full load arrived. If you’re moving between states, ask your removalist about timeframes, restricted items, and what needs to be declared. Professional removalists can advise on what to expect for distance moves.
Pack an “Open First” Essentials Box
Your first night in a new home shouldn’t involve opening forty cartons. Pack one clearly marked box (or a small bag) that travels with you:
- Phone chargers and important documents
- Medications and basic toiletries
- A change of clothes and towels
- Kettle, mugs, tea or coffee, and snacks
- Toilet paper, a torch, and basic tools
- Pet food and bowls, if relevant
Label it OPEN FIRST on every side.
What Not to Pack When Moving House
Most removalists won’t transport hazardous or perishable goods. Check with your mover, but common exclusions include:
- Flammables and chemicals (petrol, paint, pool chemicals, gas bottles, aerosols)
- Perishable food and frozen goods
- Fireworks and ammunition
- Many live plants
- Valuables such as jewellery, cash, passports, and sentimental items, which you should carry yourself
Conclusion
Good packing and labelling are simple habits, not expensive ones. Pack in small, sensible loads, label every box clearly, prepare your fridge and pantry ahead of time, and follow the fragile packing tips above. Whether you handle everything yourself or bring in help from Butler’s Removals & Storage, a well-organised move turns unpacking into a calm process instead of a scavenger hunt.
