The Best Packing Materials and How to Use Them

• Boxes: Small, medium, large, extra-large, dish packs, wardrobe boxes, TV kits, mirror boxes, and file boxes to fit items of every size.
• Packing tape: Heavy-duty clear tape for general use and paper tape for artwork and books where residue matters.
• Bubble wrap: Cushion fragile items, electronics, and glassware with multiple layers around corners and edges.
• Packing paper: Ink-free newsprint for wrapping dishes, filling voids, and creating shock-absorbing layers.
• Packing peanuts & foam sheets: Fill odd spaces and stack between plates; consider biodegradable materials to reduce waste.
• Markers, labels, and color-coding stickers: Create consistent, legible labels to speed up unloading and reduce “mystery boxes.”
• Scissors and box cutters: Trim tape, resize boxes, and safely open cartons at your new place.
• Furniture sliders: Protect floors and backs when you’re moving heavy pieces across rooms.
• Plastic stretch wrap: Bundle, protect furniture surfaces, and keep the drawers shut without adhesive residue.
• Moving blankets and pads: Pad furniture and appliances; stack them between items in the truck to prevent rub marks.
• Mattress bags: Keep mattresses clean and dry, especially during rainy moves or in storage.
• Plastic strapping & tools: Secure heavy cartons and bundle awkward items for long hauls or storage.
• Tape guns: Speed up the process and reduce waste.
• Moving notebook: Track box numbers, contents, to-dos, and day-of contacts in one place.
• Dollies and hand trucks: Move stacks safely and reduce the strain on stairs and thresholds.
• Ramps and walk boards: Create safer loading paths into trucks or containers.
• Lifting straps: Distribute weight on bulky items like dressers and washers to protect your back.
• Inventory apps and checklists: Log box numbers and contents digitally so you can easily search them later.
• Parts bags: Keep hardware here and label each bag to the matching furniture.

• Small (1.5 cu. ft.): Ideal for dense, heavy items like books, canned goods, and tools to keep the weight manageable.
• Medium (3 cu. ft.): Versatile for kitchenware, toys, shoes, and pantry items that need some padding.
• Large (4.5 cu. ft.+): Best for light, bulky items like linens, pillows, and lampshades to avoid overloading.
• Dish packs: Reinforced cartons with cell dividers designed for plates, bowls, and glassware.

• Packing paper: Clean, ink-free sheets can wrap around almost anything and be crumpled into voids for shock absorption. They’re perfect for dishes and glass.
• Bubble wrap: Adds air-cushioned protection for framed art, electronics, and fragile décor. Be sure to double-wrap corners.
• Foam sheets: Thin, flexible layers slide between plates and screens without adding any bulk, preventing scratches to the surface.
• Packing peanuts: Fill gaps so your items don’t shift. Choose biodegradable versions and bag tiny hardware so it doesn’t get lost.

• Packing tape: Use 2-inch heavy-duty rolls. Cheaper tape splits, lifts, and fails under tension.
• Paper tape: Acid-free and removable tape is a smart pick for artwork or archival boxes.
• Tape gun: Tape guns keep tension steady and reduce waste, keeping boxes sealed during humidity and heat.
• Scissors and box cutters: Keep fresh blades handy for safer cuts and cleaner edges.

• Permanent markers: Mark the room, brief contents of the box, and handling notes like “Fragile” or “This Side Up.”
• Color-coding stickers: Assign a color to each room and apply the same color to doors at your new home for easy sorting.
• Pre-printed labels: Use sets for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms to speed up labeling during crunch time.

• Wardrobe boxes: Move hanging clothes from your old closet to the box to your new closet with no folding or wrinkles.
• TV kits and mirror boxes: Adjustable cartons and foam corners safeguard screens, mirrors, and framed art.
• Mattress bags: Shield from dirt and moisture. Tape the open end after loading.
• Furniture sliders: Glide heavy pieces through the house without gouging floors. These are especially handy on hardwood.
• Plastic stretch wrap: Secure drawers and protect fabrics from dust without leaving behind any sticky residue.
• Moving blankets and pads: Layer between items and secure them with stretch wrap or tape so they don’t shake too much on the road.
• Plastic strapping and tools: Reinforce heavy boxes or band awkward items for safer carrying.
• Moving notebook: Keep phone numbers, box lists, and moving checklists in one place.

• Dollies and hand trucks: Stack cartons and tilt safely; learn best practices in our guide to using a dolly.
• Ramps and walk boards: Bridge steps and thresholds; reduce trip risks when loading containers and trucks.
• Lifting straps: Distribute weight across your shoulders and core for bulky items like washers and armoires.

• Assign a color to each room: Place matching stickers on boxes and the destination room’s door frame.
• Label two sides: Include the room, key contents, and handling instructions so the labels are visible on each stack.
• Number boxes with a master list: Track the box #, room, and highlights in a notebook or spreadsheet so you can look them up quickly.

• Dedicated notebook or app: Log each box number and the contents (Use moving apps like Sortly or a shared Google Sheet).
• Printable checklists: Post room-by-room lists on doors so helpers know where to stage items.
• Photos of contents: Snap a quick pic before you tape up your boxes. It’s a lifesaver when you need to find an item fast.

• U-Haul, Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s carry most of the essentials with delivery or in-store pickup options.
• Specialty sites: Uboxes bundles packing kits by home size for convenience.
• Local supply shops: Independent moving stores and hardware shops can provide competitive prices and offer advice.

• Retailer discards: Liquor, bookstore, and grocery boxes are usually sturdy; ask store managers for flattened, gently used cartons.
• Online groups: Search Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor for free moving boxes from recent movers.
• Community exchanges: “Buy Nothing” groups are great for passing supplies along locally.

• Biodegradable materials: Choose recycled paper and biodegradable peanuts to cut plastic waste.
• Gently-used boxes: Reuse sturdy cartons and recycle or pass them on after your move.
• Reusable bins and blankets: Plastic totes and durable pads reduce single-use materials on repeat moves.
• Responsible disposal: Check local guidelines for recycling film wrap, foam, and cardboard.
• Community sharing: Offer leftover supplies through “Buy Nothing” groups to keep materials circulating.

Learn more: Explore our full list of eco-friendly moving tips.

• Studio/1-bedroom: $100–$250 for a basic kit of boxes, tape, paper, and a few blankets.
• 2–3 bedrooms: $250–$500 with more dish packs, wardrobe boxes, and padding.
• 4+ bedrooms: $500–$1,000+ when adding specialty cartons and extra blankets.

Use our packing and moving box calculator to see how many boxes your move will take.

• Source free boxes: Check stores and local groups, then reserve new boxes for heavy or valuable items.
• Buy in bulk: Online kits and warehouse clubs reduce the cost per box substantially.
• Use soft goods as padding: Towels and linens you already own can be used to protect non-fragile items.
• Rent what you can: Dollies, blankets, and specialty tools are inexpensive to rent compared to buying.