Packing Tips for a Smoother Apartment Move

Packing usually takes longer than people expect. Starting early and following a simple system can make moving day faster and reduce broken items and lost essentials. These tips work whether you hire movers or do it yourself. For the full timeline, see our apartment moving checklist.

Gather supplies

• Sturdy boxes in small, medium and large sizes
• Packing tape and a tape dispenser
• Packing paper, bubble wrap or towels and linens for padding
• Markers and labels or colored tape
• Plastic bags for screws and small parts
• Stretch wrap for drawers and furniture
• Mattress bags and furniture covers

Ask local stores, neighbors or community marketplaces for used boxes. Make sure they are clean and strong.

Declutter first

Every item you get rid of is one less to pack, move and unpack. Go room by room and sort into keep, donate, sell and discard. Donate usable items to local charities and recycle electronics through proper programs.

Pack room by room

Start with rooms and items you use least, such as guest rooms, storage closets and seasonal items. Leave the kitchen and bathroom for last. Pack one room at a time so boxes contain related items and unpacking is easier.

Box size rules

• Small boxes for heavy items like books, canned goods and tools.
• Medium boxes for kitchen items, toys and small appliances.
• Large boxes for light, bulky items like pillows, bedding and lampshades.

Keep each box at a weight you can lift comfortably. Put heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top, and fill gaps so items do not shift.

Label everything

Write the destination room and a short list of contents on at least two sides of each box. Mark fragile boxes clearly. Some people number boxes and keep an inventory list on their phone. Color-coded tape by room helps movers place boxes quickly.

Fragile items

• Wrap plates individually and pack them on their edges, like records.
• Stuff glasses with paper and wrap separately; cell dividers help.
• Wrap mirrors and framed art in padding and mark them “fragile, this side up.”
• Keep original boxes for electronics if you have them.

Electronics

Take a photo of cable connections before unplugging. Put cables in labeled bags and tape them to the device or keep them together in one box. Back up important data before the move.

Furniture

Disassemble large furniture when possible. Put screws and hardware in a labeled bag and tape it securely to the furniture piece. Wrap drawers with stretch wrap so they do not slide open, or remove them.

The essentials box

Pack one box or suitcase with everything you need for the first day and night:

• Phone chargers
• Toiletries, toilet paper and a towel
• Medications
• Change of clothes
• Bedding for the first night
• Basic tools and a box cutter
• Snacks, water and a few paper plates and utensils
• Important documents, kept with you rather than on the truck

What not to pack in the moving truck

• Important documents such as passports and leases
• Jewelry, cash and valuables
• Prescription medications
• Hazardous materials, which movers often refuse, such as propane, paint thinner and certain cleaners

A simple packing timeline

• Several weeks before: gather supplies, declutter, pack seasonal and rarely used items.
• Two weeks before: pack books, decor and most of the closet.
• One week before: pack most of the kitchen, leaving a few essentials.
• Last few days: pack bathroom items, the remaining kitchen and your essentials box.

A little organization during packing pays off when you open the right box at your new place on the first try.