The Big List of Practical Moving Packing Tips from Packing Experts

Looking for all the best packing tips to make your move easier? Starving Students Movers has helped a LOT of customers since 1973, and we’ve learned a thing or two about packing along the way! Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, these practical packing tips will save you time, stress, and maybe even some money.

Looking for more general moving tips? Check out our Essential Moving Tips page.

Get Organized Before You Start

Our first packing tip is to get organized. We understand this is easy for some and a real stretch for others, but it’ll be worth it.

Start Packing Earlier Rather than Later, Trust Us

Before you even grab your first box, take some time to get organized. Seriously. Waiting till later and feeling rushed is one of the largest avoidable sources of stress when moving. Start packing non-essentials at least 3-4 weeks before moving day. Check our Step-by-Step Moving Checklist

It’s Time to Ruthlessly Declutter & Let Go

You don’t have to pack or unpack what you don’t have anymore. Donate, sell, or toss items you don’t need before packing. Larger and heavier items that you don’t use should be highest on the list to get rid of. The larger and heavier the better.

Why? Since moving companies consider over-all weight and cubic feet needed to move or store, this decluttering effort can really add up your savings. And even if you’re using friends, borrowed or rented vehicles, less stuff equals less effort, trips, and ultimately money savings.
Can’t decide? Set items aside that you paused to consider getting rid of. As you tire of packing or run out of boxes, the decision to let go may become easier.
Treat yourself, while saving time, hassle, and maybe even a few dollars. Consider for example if it is really worth tearing down, paying to move, and reassembling a swingset? Maybe sell or donate it, save the money and treat the kids to a new one that you only have to assemble.
Bonus Tip: You may have a local not-for-profit or charity organization that is willing to not only accept donations, but come and get them too!

Create a Packing Label & Organization Strategy

Now is a good time to start developing a strategy on how you’ll label and track your boxes once they are packed. This one packing tip alone will save a lot of moving frustration. Or more specifically, unpacking and reorientation when you get to your new residence or business. No one likes knowing you have a thing, knowing you packed a thing, but not being able to find that thing.

Good labeling saves so much time and frustration:

Write the room and contents on the sides of each box
Create labels on the sides of boxes, not the top
Consider unique colored markers or stickers to indicate each family member’s possessions and/or specific rooms
Create a corresponding simple floor plan that has the colors or stickers on it to make matching boxes to rooms even easier
Mark fragile items clearly
Mark which side should be up with arrows
Label “Open First” on essential boxes

If you follow through with those simple labeling tips, you shouldn’t have to create an elaborate spreadsheet, numbering system with inventory list, fancy QR Code labels, or put geeky NFC tags in each box just to find what you’re looking for.

Packing Supplies You'll Need

You’re going to need a lot of packing supplies and it’s a real productivity killer to run out while in the packing flow, so start to gather your packing supplies early.

Don’t get caught without these essential packing supplies:

• Different sized moving boxes (small, medium, large)
Packing tape and dispenser
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
Colored markers for labeling
Moving blankets for furniture
Plastic wrap/stretch wrap
Box cutters
Basic tools for disassembling furniture

MONEY-SAVING TIP: Check local social media groups for free boxes from people who recently moved, or ask grocery stores for unused boxes

• Resealable bags in snack size, quart, and gallon
These bags are great for small parts, pieces, or items that can become lost or need to stay together.

• Vacuum seal (travel bags)
Particularly useful to reduce space when filling up a suitcase or for seasonal clothing.

• Cardboard or styrofoam can be used to put screws or assembly pieces on so that you don’t lose them or they don’t poke through baggies.

• For posters & cables
Rubber bands, empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes for posters and cables.

Advanced Packing Supplies:

You’re going to need a lot of packing supplies and it’s a real productivity killer to run out while in the packing flow, so start to gather your packing supplies early.

Don’t get caught without these essential packing supplies:

Different sized moving boxes (small, medium, large)
Packing tape and dispenser
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
Colored markers for labeling
Moving blankets for furniture
Plastic wrap/stretch wrap
Box cutters
Basic tools for disassembling furniture

MONEY-SAVING TIP: Check local social media groups for free boxes from people who recently moved, or ask grocery stores for unused boxes

Smart Packing Tips

Think strategically about how to pack for the safety of your precious items, to prevent frustration, and to make the day less exhausting. We do!
Packing Smart Starts with Knowing Items to Never Pack in a Moving Truck

To reduce stress and avoid potential frustration, it’s best to consider the following items as things that should always travel with you:

Important documents and IDs
Valuables and jewelry
Medications
Daily use items, keys, access cards, etc.
Laptop and small electronics
Cash or financial documents
Irreplaceable sentimental items
Perishable food
Hazardous materials (cleaning supplies, paint, propane tanks)
Firearms and hunting equipment

A Simple Box Packing Strategy

Some simple tricks when packing for a move will have your back and muscles thanking you later.
Heavy items go in the small boxes – Books, dishes, and tools belong in smaller boxes
Light items in big boxes – Pillows, linens, and clothing can fill larger boxes
Some large items can be compressed – Use vacuum travel or storage bags or compression sacks to reduce the size
Fill gaps with packing paper, bubblewrap, towels, clothing, extra toilet paper rolls, or stuffed animals, to prevent items from shifting during transit

Room-by-Room Packing Approach

Start Packing the least-used rooms first – Garage, guest room, storage areas
Leave everyday essentials for last – Bathroom items, kitchen necessities
Pack one room at a time to stay organized – Unless each person is responsible for their own room
Keep similar items together – Kitchen items with other kitchen items

Tips for Protecting Your Valuables

Fragile items need special attention! Here’s how to keep them safe:

Wrap breakables individually in packing paper
Use bubble wrap for extra-fragile items
Use clean socks for stemware and small fragile items
Fill hollow items (vases, glasses) with crumpled packing paper
Never stack heavy items on top of boxes with “FRAGILE” labels
Pack mirrors, glass, expensive plates, and records, upright not flat

Clever Packing Hacks

These tricks from our experienced movers can make your packing easier:

Use clean towels and linens as padding for fragile items

Keep screws and small hardware in labeled plastic bags taped to the furniture they belong to
Pack a separate overnight bag with essentials for your first night
Use plastic wrap or press ‘n seal to keep jewelry from tangling
Fill suitcases with heavy items, they’re already designed to transport weight!
Pack liquids in ziplock bags or wrap with plastic wrap to prevent leakage

Kitchen Packing Tips

The kitchen often contains the most fragile and oddly-shaped items:The kitchen often contains the most fragile and oddly-shaped items:

Use dish towels or padding between plates
Wrap glass items individually
Pack glasses and stemware upright, not on their sides
Pack pots and pans together, nesting them when possible
Use wine boxes with dividers for glasses
Wrap knives in thick towels and mark the package clearly
Remove and wrap lids separately from their containers
Tips for Packing Clothes:
Some simple tips to make packing your clothes easier.
Use garbage bags like dry cleaning bags to keep your hanging clothes clean, organized, and to help prevent them from falling off their hangers.
Use travel packing cubes, compression sacks, and vacuum seal bags to reduce space, particularly with large winter clothing

Tips for Packing Electronics

Protect your valuable devices during the move:
Use original boxes if you still have them
Take photos of cable setups before disconnecting
Label all cords and keep them with the devices they belong to
Back up computer data before moving
Remove ink cartridges from printers
Use plenty of padding around screens and monitors

Creating an “First Day” Box

Pack a clearly labeled box with items you’ll need immediately:

Medications
Toilet paper and other toiletries (soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, etc.)
A change of clothes
Basic cleaning supplies and paper towels
Shower curtain and towels
Phone chargers
Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, hammer)
Snacks and water bottles
Kitchen basics, paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils
Trash bags
Light bulbs
Batteries

Need Help With Packing, Not Tips?

We put our heart into every move, even the packing part! While these tips can help DIY packers, remember that Starving Students offers professional packing services too. Our experienced team can pack your entire home or just the tricky items like artwork and electronics.

Our packing services are affordable and can save you tons of time and stress.