Good packing protects your belongings, keeps the move organized, and makes the first days in your new home much easier.

Use these tips to prepare, protect fragile belongings, and make moving day easier—whether you’re packing a few rooms or an entire household.

Packing Materials

Start with sturdy boxes and the right supplies. Strong, clean cartons protect belongings better than weak, damaged, or overused boxes.

If you are collecting boxes from stores, avoid boxes that held food or anything that could attract pests. Be careful with newspaper as well, since ink can rub off on clothing, linens, lampshades, or delicate items.

Useful Packing Supplies

  • Sturdy moving boxes in multiple sizes
  • Packing paper or tissue paper
  • Bubble wrap or protective padding
  • Furniture pads or moving blankets
  • Labels or masking tape for room names
  • Permanent markers
  • Packing tape
  • Plastic bags for small parts, screws, cords, and hardware
  • Scissors or utility knife
  • Notebook or digital inventory list
  • Specialty boxes for wardrobes, mirrors, dishes, or fragile items when needed

General Packing Tips

Before you start, make a simple plan. A little organization now can save a lot of confusion later.

Tips

  • Pack one room at a time.
  • Start with items you use least often.
  • Pack a few boxes each day instead of waiting until the last minute.
  • Label each box with the room and a short description of what is inside.
  • Use a box number or simple inventory list for important items.
  • Tape the bottom of every box securely before filling it.
  • Use packing paper, towels, or soft items to fill empty spaces inside boxes.
  • Place heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top.
  • Keep boxes at a manageable weight so they can be moved safely.
  • Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books, tools, or canned goods.
  • Mark fragile boxes clearly on the top and at least one side.

Room-by-Room Packing

Packing room by room keeps your move more organized and helps movers place boxes in the right rooms at your new home.

Tips

  • Start with storage areas, guest rooms, seasonal items, books, decor, and things you do not use every day.
  • Leave kitchens, bathrooms, clothing, medication, chargers, and daily essentials until closer to moving day.
  • Keep hardware from furniture, bed frames, and electronics in labeled plastic bags.
  • Label boxes by room, not just by item type.
  • Pack an essentials box or suitcase for the first night in your new home.

Dishware

Dishes should be packed with enough cushioning to prevent shifting, pressure, and direct contact between pieces.

Steps

  • Choose a sturdy medium box or dish box.
  • Line the bottom with crumpled packing paper or padding.
  • Wrap each plate or small stack of plates with packing paper.
  • Place plates vertically on edge instead of laying them flat.
  • Fill empty spaces with paper or soft padding so the plates do not move.
  • Add a protective layer between rows if needed.
  • Mark the box “Fragile – Dishes” and label the room.

Cups and Mugs

Cups and mugs should be cushioned so handles do not take pressure during the move.

Steps

  • Wrap each cup or mug in packing paper.
  • Add extra paper around handles.
  • Nest only sturdy cups together, and avoid nesting delicate or valuable pieces.
  • Place heavier mugs near the bottom of the box and lighter cups above.
  • Fill gaps with paper so items cannot shift.
  • Wrap delicate china, antique cups, or sentimental pieces one at a time.

Glassware

Glassware and stemware are some of the most fragile items in a move. Take extra time with these pieces.

Steps

  • Place crumpled paper inside each glass or stemmed piece.
  • Wrap each item individually.
  • Use dividers, cell boxes, or extra padding when available.
  • Place glasses upright instead of on their sides.
  • Keep heavier items below and delicate glasses near the top.
  • Fill empty spaces so nothing shifts inside the box.
  • Mark the box “Fragile – Glassware” and avoid stacking heavy boxes on top.

Fragile Items

Fragile items need more protection than standard household goods. Before packing, look at each item’s shape, weight, weak points, and replacement value.

Tips

  • Wrap fragile items individually.
  • Use padding on all sides of the box.
  • Fill empty spaces so items cannot shift.
  • Avoid placing fragile items in oversized boxes with heavy items.
  • Label boxes clearly as fragile.
  • Take photos of high-value or delicate items before packing.
  • Ask about professional packing or white glove moving for items that are expensive, sentimental, antique, oversized, or difficult to replace.

Packing can take longer than expected when fragile items, storage, or extra handling are involved. Moving On Express can help with professional packing and furniture protection. Ask about the level of packing support available for your move, including fragile items and packing for storage.

Lamps

Lamps and lampshades should be packed separately whenever possible.

Steps

  • Remove bulbs, shades, harps, and finials.
  • Wrap the lamp base with padding or packing paper.
  • Place lamp bases upright in a sturdy box when possible.
  • Wrap small parts and keep them labeled.
  • Pack lampshades separately with clean tissue or packing paper.
  • Do not use newspaper directly on lampshades, since ink can transfer.
  • Avoid placing heavy items on top of lampshade boxes.

Mirrors and Artwork

Mirrors, artwork, and framed items should be packed upright and protected from pressure.

Tips

  • Use picture boxes or mirror cartons when available.
  • Wrap frames and corners carefully.
  • Place framed items upright rather than flat.
  • Do not place newspaper directly against artwork.
  • Protect glass surfaces and corners with extra padding.
  • Tell your mover about valuable, antique, oversized, or sentimental pieces before moving day.
  • Consider professional packing or white glove moving for artwork, large mirrors, antiques, and difficult-to-replace items.

Electronics

Electronics should be packed carefully and kept away from moisture, pressure, and loose parts.

Tips

  • Use original packaging when available.
  • Back up important computer files before moving.
  • Remove loose accessories, discs, batteries, and detachable parts when appropriate.
  • Wrap cords separately and label them.
  • Place small cords, remotes, screws, and accessories in labeled bags.
  • Use padding around screens, monitors, computers, speakers, and media equipment.
  • Keep important laptops, hard drives, and sensitive electronics with you if possible.
  • Ask about specialty handling for large, expensive, or delicate electronics.

Appliances

Appliances may need to be cleaned, dried, disconnected, or prepared before moving day.

Tips

  • Defrost, clean, and dry refrigerators or freezers before moving.
  • Disconnect appliances according to manufacturer instructions.
  • Drain hoses and remove loose parts when needed.
  • Tape or secure doors only when it is safe to do so.
  • Ask your mover whether appliances need special preparation before pickup.

Clothing and Linens

Clothing, bedding, towels, and linens are usually easier to pack than fragile items, but they still benefit from organization.

Tips

  • Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes if needed.
  • Pack off-season clothing first.
  • Use towels, blankets, and linens as padding for some durable household items.
  • Keep several days of clothing and toiletries with you.
  • Do not pack damp clothing, towels, or linens.

Books, Tools, and Heavy Items

Heavy items should be packed in smaller boxes so they can be lifted safely.

Tips

  • Use small boxes for books, tools, canned goods, and dense items.
  • Do not overpack large boxes with heavy belongings.
  • Wrap sharp tools or loose metal pieces safely.
  • Drain fuel from power tools before moving.
  • Keep valuable tools or delicate equipment protected and labeled.

Food, Plants, and Perishables

Food, plants, and perishables can be difficult or impossible to move safely, especially over longer distances.

Tips

  • Use up or donate perishable food before moving day.
  • Avoid packing open food containers.
  • Pack sealed canned goods in small boxes if they are being moved.
  • Do not overpack boxes with canned goods or heavy pantry items.
  • Ask your mover before packing frozen food, plants, or anything that may spoil.
  • If an item is allowed but difficult to transport, plan how it will travel safely and confirm any requirements before moving day.

Medication, Documents, and Valuables

Some items should stay with you instead of being loaded onto the moving truck.

Keep These With You

  • Medication and prescriptions
  • Identification and passports
  • Birth certificates and legal documents
  • Financial records
  • Keys
  • Chargers
  • Jewelry and small valuables
  • Laptops and important electronics
  • Sentimental items that are difficult to replace
  • Travel essentials and a change of clothes

Additional Note

If you need medication during travel or immediately after arrival, keep it with you. If your belongings may arrive after you do, pack essentials for the first few days.

Restricted Items

Some items may be unsafe, restricted, or unsuitable for moving or storage. Always ask your mover before packing anything hazardous, flammable, pressurized, perishable, or regulated.

Examples

  • Aerosol cans
  • Paints and solvents
  • Gasoline or fuel
  • Propane tanks
  • Fireworks
  • Chemicals and cleaning fluids
  • Pesticides
  • Batteries that require special handling
  • Perishable food
  • Plants
  • Firearms or ammunition
  • High-value or regulated items

Additional Note

Before moving day, use up, dispose of, donate, or safely transport restricted items according to local rules and your mover’s guidance.

Furniture

Furniture should be cleaned, emptied, protected, and prepared before moving day.

Tips

  • Empty drawers unless your mover tells you otherwise.
  • Remove small loose items from furniture.
  • Disassemble beds, tables, shelving, or outdoor furniture if needed.
  • Keep screws and hardware in labeled bags.
  • Protect delicate finishes from tape, moisture, and sharp items.
  • Tell your mover about antiques, glass, marble, delicate wood, oversized pieces, or high-value furniture.

Specialty Items

Some belongings need special preparation before they can be moved safely. These may include waterbeds, antiques, large mirrors, artwork, exercise equipment, delicate furniture, oversized items, instruments, and high-value pieces.

Ask us about anything that seems difficult to move, fragile, unusually shaped, very heavy, regulated, or hard to replace.

If you have questions about packing, storage, transport, or a difficult item, Moving On Express can review the details and help you plan the next step.