Packing is the part of moving that people dread the most. The trick is to work room by room, start early, and use the right boxes for the right items. Here is our room-by-room guide based on thousands of North Shore moves.
Packing supplies you will need
| Supply | Quantity (2-bed apt) | Quantity (3-bed house) |
|---|---|---|
| Small boxes (1.5 cu ft) | 10–15 | 20–25 |
| Medium boxes (3 cu ft) | 10–12 | 15–20 |
| Large boxes (4.5 cu ft) | 5–8 | 10–15 |
| Dish-pack boxes | 2–3 | 3–5 |
| Wardrobe boxes | 2–3 | 4–6 |
| Packing paper (lbs) | 10 lbs | 25 lbs |
| Bubble wrap (ft) | 50 ft | 100 ft |
| Packing tape rolls | 4–5 | 8–10 |
| Mattress bags | 1–2 | 2–3 |
Save money on boxes: Check with local liquor stores — their boxes have built-in dividers that are perfect for glassware. U-Haul and Home Depot also sell moving kits sized by apartment or house. If you book our full packing service, all supplies are included.
Kitchen (allow 4–6 hours)
The kitchen takes the longest because fragile items outnumber everything else. Start packing the kitchen at least a week before move day — begin with items you rarely use (holiday dishes, specialty appliances, cookbooks).
- Plates: Wrap each plate individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Stack vertically in a dish-pack box — plates survive better standing up than lying flat. Place crumpled paper on top to prevent shifting.
- Bowls: Nest bowls inside each other with paper between layers. Pack in small boxes — a box of bowls gets heavy fast.
- Glasses and stemware: Wrap glasses in packing paper and place upside-down in a cell box divider. For wine glasses, wrap the stem separately with an extra layer of bubble wrap.
- Small appliances: Seal in their original boxes if you still have them. Otherwise, wrap cords around the appliance, pad with towels, and pack snugly so nothing shifts.
- Knives: Bundle kitchen knives in a dish towel and secure with a rubber band, or use blade guards. Never pack loose knives in a box — someone will cut themselves unpacking.
- Pantry items: Discard anything open, expired, or half-used. Seal remaining items in zip-lock bags inside a box. Do not pack anything in glass jars without wrapping — one broken jar of olive oil ruins an entire box.
Bedroom (allow 2–3 hours per room)
- Hanging clothes: Use wardrobe boxes — they transfer directly from closet to box to new closet with no folding or wrinkling.
- Folded clothes: Leave folded clothes in dresser drawers if the dresser is light enough to move full. Remove for heavy solid-wood pieces.
- Bed frames: Disassemble bed frames before move day if you are comfortable doing it, or ask our crew to handle it — disassembly and reassembly are included in the service. Keep all hardware (bolts, cam locks, Allen keys) in a labeled zip-lock bag taped to the frame.
- Mattresses: Mattresses go in mattress bags to keep them clean during the move. Queen and king mattresses must stand on edge in the truck — never lay flat or stack heavy items on top.
- Jewelry and small valuables: Keep these with you in a personal bag, not in the moving boxes.
Living room (allow 2–4 hours)
- Wall art and mirrors: Remove all wall art and mirrors. Wrap in bubble wrap and place in picture boxes or between layers of cardboard. Tape an X across the glass with painter tape — if it cracks, the tape holds the shards together.
- Electronics: Take photos of TV and speaker cable connections before disconnecting. Wrap screens in moving blankets or bubble wrap. If you have the original box for a TV, use it — nothing fits better.
- Sofas: Remove couch legs and cushions if possible — this makes stairwell navigation much easier, especially in North Shore triple-deckers with tight turns.
- Books: Pack books in small boxes. A large box full of books is too heavy to lift safely (50+ lbs). Alternate spine-to-edge to prevent warping. Fill gaps with packing paper.
- Lamps: Remove shades and bulbs. Wrap the base in bubble wrap. Pack shades separately in a large box with crumpled paper — do not stack anything on top of a lampshade.
Bathroom (allow 1–2 hours)
- Seal all liquids (shampoo, cleaners, mouthwash) in zip-lock bags to prevent leaks. Pack upright in a small box.
- Keep medications, toiletries, and a few towels in your first-night box.
- Dispose of expired medications and old cosmetics before the move — less to pack, less to unpack.
- Remove shower curtain and rings — wash the curtain before packing or replace at the new place.
Garage and basement (allow 3–5 hours)
- Power equipment: Drain fuel from lawn mowers, snow blowers, and chainsaws. Movers cannot transport gasoline or mixed fuel.
- Hazardous materials: Dispose of paint, solvents, propane, pesticides, and other hazardous materials responsibly. Most Massachusetts towns schedule hazardous waste collection days — check your DPW website.
- Tools: Label boxes of tools and hardware with the room or project they belong to — this prevents a pile of mystery boxes in the new garage.
- Holiday decorations: Pack fragile ornaments in egg cartons or with individual paper wrapping. Artificial trees go back in their original box or in a tree bag.
Common packing mistakes to avoid
- Overpacking boxes — If you cannot lift it comfortably, neither can the movers. Keep boxes under 50 pounds.
- Not labeling — Write the room AND a brief contents list on two sides of every box. Color-coded tape by room speeds up unloading dramatically.
- Leaving empty space — Fill gaps with packing paper or towels. Items shift and break when there is room to move inside the box.
- Using garbage bags for clothes — Garbage bags tear, get confused with actual trash, and offer zero protection. Use wardrobe boxes or suitcases.
- Waiting until the last day — Start two weeks out. Pack one room per day. The kitchen goes last because you need it until move day.
If packing feels overwhelming, our full packing service handles the entire house room by room. Our crew brings the boxes, paper, tape, and bubble wrap — you do not need to buy any supplies. Request a free quote and we will include packing in the estimate.