A comprehensive guide to packing for a house move. Learn when to start, what to pack first, and how to protect your belongings using the right materials and techniques to ensure an organized moving day.
How to Pack for Moving House: The Complete 2026 Guide
↵↵ Packing up your home can feel like trying to fold a fitted sheet in a wind tunnel. The trick is a clear plan, decent↵ supplies, and a system that keeps daily life running while you box things up.↵
↵↵ This guide covers timelines, packing order, efficient techniques, fragile-item protection, and last-minute strategies.↵ Follow it and you’ll end up with fewer breakages, fewer “where on earth is the kettle?” moments, and a much smoother moving day.↵
↵When to Start Packing: Your Complete Timeline
↵↵ When should you start packing? Most households do effectively starting 6–8 weeks before moving day.↵ That’s enough time to pack thoughtfully without turning your home into a cardboard maze.↵
↵↵8–6 weeks before: Start with storage spaces (loft, garage, cupboards). Sort as you go: keep, donate, sell, recycle.
↵6–4 weeks before: Pack low-use rooms (guest room, book shelves, décor). Begin using up frozen and pantry food.
↵4–2 weeks before: Pack bedrooms gradually. Keep one week of clothing and bedding per person accessible.
↵2–1 weeks before: Pack most kitchenware and bathroom spares. Build “first day” boxes (per room if possible).
↵Moving week: Pack remaining essentials. Keep documents, valuables, and medications with you.
↵↵ The goal is to remove clutter early, reduce decisions late, and avoid packing the things you’ll need on moving day (like chargers, tea, and sanity).↵
↵What to Pack First: A Strategic Packing Order
↵↵ Packing in the right order keeps your home livable while you work. Go room-by-room, group similar items, and label like your↵ future self deserves happiness.↵
↵↵- ↵
- Start with storage: loft, garage, shed, under-stairs cupboards. ↵
- Then spare spaces: guest rooms, dining rooms, hobby rooms. ↵
- Then bedrooms: pack non-essentials first, leave daily items out until the end. ↵
- High-use areas last: kitchen and main bathroom (final 1–2 weeks). ↵
- Final 48 hours: clothes, toiletries, meds, chargers, kettle basics. ↵
How to Pack Efficiently: Balancing Speed and Safety
↵↵ Efficient packing is mostly: correct box size, sensible weight, filled gaps, and a consistent labelling system.↵ Set up a small “packing station” (tape, markers, labels, scissors) so you’re not hunting tools mid-flow.↵
↵↵Essential packing supplies
↵- ↵
- Small boxes for heavy items (books, tools) ↵
- Medium boxes for most household items ↵
- Large boxes for light bulky items (pillows, bedding) ↵
- Wardrobe boxes (optional) for hanging clothes ↵
- Bubble wrap (or packing paper for many items) ↵
- Strong packing tape (wide and durable) ↵
- Permanent markers ↵
- Labels or coloured stickers for room coding ↵
- Scissors / utility knife ↵
Box size rule
↵↵ Small box = heavy stuff. Medium box = general stuff. Large box = light stuff.↵ If a box makes you mutter “this feels illegal,” it’s too heavy.↵
↵Fill gaps
↵↵ Movement inside boxes causes damage. Fill gaps with packing paper, towels, or soft clothing (clean and dry).↵
↵Label smart
↵↵ Label room + contents (e.g., “Kitchen – mugs + pans”). Add “FRAGILE” and “THIS WAY UP” where needed.↵ Numbering boxes and keeping a simple list helps with quick finding.↵
↵Speed without chaos
↵↵ Group similar items; keep screws/parts in a labelled bag taped to the item; use original packaging for electronics when possible.↵
↵↵ Handy trick: vacuum bags are reliable for bedding and out-of-season clothes, and they also stop “pillow mountain” from taking over the van.↵
↵Decluttering Before You Pack
↵↵ Moving is the ideal time to reduce your stuff-to-life ratio. Less stuff means fewer boxes, faster loading, and a calmer new home.↵
↵↵The four-box method: Keep / Donate / Sell / Recycle (or Bin).
↵Simple rule: if it hasn’t been used in a year, seriously question why it’s coming with you.
↵Bonus: decluttering before you pack prevents you from carefully boxing items you don’t even want.
↵Protecting Fragile Items: Practical Techniques
↵↵ Fragile items break for two reasons: impact and movement. Your job is to stop both.↵
↵↵- ↵
- Plates: wrap individually and stack vertically like records (less pressure than flat stacking). ↵
- Glasses: wrap each one, pad the base, and use dividers if available. ↵
- Wine glasses: protect stems with extra wrap; compartmentalise with dividers/cardboard. ↵
- Mirrors/frames: wrap in blankets/towels, then cardboard, then label clearly. ↵
- Electronics: photograph cable setups before unplugging; use original boxes when possible. ↵
↵ Small but useful: an “X” of tape across large glass surfaces can reduce shatter spread if the worst happens.↵
↵Estimating the Number of Boxes Needed
↵↵ Avoid last-minute box panic by estimating early. Real numbers vary by lifestyle (book collectors, we see you).↵
↵↵Typical boxes by property size
↵- ↵
- Studio flat: 10–20 ↵
- 1-bedroom: 15–25 ↵
- 2-bedroom: 25–40 ↵
- 3-bedroom: 40–60 ↵
- 4-bedroom: 60–80 ↵
Suggested mix
↵- ↵
- Small: 20–30% (books, dense items) ↵
- Medium: 50–60% (most items) ↵
- Large: 15–20% (light bulky items) ↵
How to Pack a House Quickly: Last-Minute Advice
↵↵ Short notice? You can still do this. Prioritise essentials, protect valuables, and accept “good enough” for low-risk items.↵
↵↵A simple 3-day packing plan
↵Day 1: storage + non-essentials. Pack aggressively. Ask for help if you can.
↵Day 2: bedrooms + living areas. Keep one “daily life” lane open.
↵Day 3: essentials + kitchen basics. Build an essentials kit and keep essential items accessible.
↵Emergency speed tricks
↵- ↵
- Leave clothes on hangers and wrap in bin bags (tie at the hanger end). ↵
- Use suitcases for heavy items (books) to protect your back. ↵
- Pack an “essentials bag” that stays with you: meds, chargers, documents, snacks, basic tools. ↵
Frequently Asked Questions
↵↵Q: How long does it take to pack a 3-bedroom house?
↵A: Typically 3–5 days for two people packing 6–8 hours per day, depending on volume and organisation.
↵Q: Should I pack clothes in boxes or bags?
↵A: Wardrobe boxes reduce creasing for hanging clothes. Folded clothes work in boxes or strong bags—just avoid overloading.
↵Q: Can I leave clothes in drawers when moving?
↵A: Yes for light items in sturdy furniture. Remove heavy contents and secure drawers to prevent sliding.
↵Q: What should go in my essentials box?
↵A: Toiletries, meds, chargers, kettle basics, cleaning wipes, bin bags, snacks, and key documents (keep it with you).
↵Q: How do I pack books without making boxes too heavy?
↵A: Use small boxes and mix with light soft items to fill gaps. Keep weight manageable per box.
↵Final Thoughts
↵↵ Packing is manageable with a timeline, a system, and consistent labelling. Start early, declutter as you go, protect fragile↵ items properly, and keep essentials accessible.↵
↵↵ When you’re ready to plan the next step, you can explore local availability and options here:↵ man and van services.↵
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