How to Pack for a Move, Room by Room
By Move Near Me team ·
Short answer: Pack room by room and label every carton with the room and contents. As a rough guide, a 2-bed home needs about 25–35 cartons and a 3-bed about 35–50. Put heavy and fragile items in smaller boxes. Keep daily essentials with you. Our packers cost $55 per packer-hour + GST; a 2-bed home usually takes one packer 4–6 hours.
Packing is the most time-consuming part of a move. Here’s how to do it efficiently.
Before you pack anything
- Declutter: sort items into keep, sell, donate and bin. You pay by the hour; less stuff = lower moving costs
- Use up pantry items: eat through the fridge and freezer before you move
- Gather boxes: ask grocers, bottle shops, online retailers or your removalist (our cartons are $4 each + GST)
- Get supplies: packing tape, markers, newspaper and old towels for wrapping
Packing supplies by home size
These are rough guides only. How much you own matters more than the number of bedrooms.
| Home size | Cartons | Port-a-robes | Mattress covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bed | 15–20 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| 2-bed | 25–35 | 2–3 | 2–3 |
| 3-bed | 35–50 | 3–4 | 3–4 |
A carton is a sturdy, purpose-made moving box. A port-a-robe is a hanging wardrobe for clothes on hangers. Mattress covers protect mattresses and bases in the truck.
Packing room by room
Kitchen
Most time-consuming room; fragile items and weight management matter.
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Crockery, plates, bowls | Small (keep it light) | Wrap each in paper; pack vertically like records, not flat |
| Glassware, stemware | Small | Heavy padding between glasses; wrap individually |
| Cutlery, utensils | Small | Bundle with rubber band; pack in a smaller box inside a larger one |
| Pots, pans | Medium | Nest pans together; wrap handles |
| Food storage containers | Medium | Stack carefully; lids inside boxes |
| Appliances (kettle, toaster) | Original packaging if possible | Use crumpled paper for padding inside |
| Pantry goods | Medium | Use up before the move; donate unopened non-perishables |
| Tea towels, aprons | Linen box or carton | Stuff kitchen roll and tea towels; no need to wrap |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 6–8 for a 2-bed, 8–10 for a 3-bed.
Pro tip: don’t over-fill boxes. Heavy kitchen boxes are hard to move and damage crockery. Better to use more boxes and keep each one light enough for one person to carry safely.
Bedroom
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes (everyday) | Medium | Leave on hangers in the port-a-robe or hang on a rail in the truck |
| Clothes (off-season) | Medium–Large | Vacuum-seal or roll to save space |
| Shoes | Small | Keep in original boxes or wrap individually |
| Bedding (sheets, pillows) | Large | Roll together or use linen bags |
| Mattress & base | Mattress cover | Protect with a mattress cover or removal blanket |
| Dressers, wardrobes | Disassemble if removalists recommend | Wrap in blankets; bolts and fittings in a labelled plastic bag |
| Books, ornaments | Small | Books are heavy; don’t overfill boxes |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 4–6 per bedroom.
Lounge
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Cushions, throws | Large (soft) | Don’t compress; let them breathe in the truck |
| Coffee table books | Small–Medium | Heavy items in small boxes |
| Ornaments, framed photos | Small | Wrap individually in paper and bubble wrap |
| Entertainment equipment (TV, speakers) | Original boxes if available | Keep power cables together in a labelled bag |
| Candles | Small | Pack upright and keep away from heat |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 4–6 for a 2-bed, 6–8 for a 3-bed.
Bathroom
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Towels, bath mats | Large (soft) | Roll together; moisture-absorbing |
| Toiletries, cosmetics | Small (sealed) | Use a plastic container to prevent spills |
| Medications | Carry by hand | Keep with your essentials box |
| Cleaning supplies | Small (sealed) | Liquid cleaners upright in a plastic tub; keep separate to prevent damage to other items |
| Shower curtain, liner | Medium | Roll; store with towels |
| Bath toys, mats | Medium | Drain well before packing |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 2–3 for a 2-bed.
Warning: don’t pack cleaning supplies with food or bedding. Seal liquid containers well and place upright. We don’t move dangerous goods such as gas bottles, petrol, paint or chemicals, so plan to use up, give away or dispose of these safely before moving day.
Laundry
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Washing powder, fabric softener | Small (sealed) | Keep separate in a plastic container |
| Ironing board, iron | Medium | Iron cools first; wrap the plate in a towel |
| Hangers | Large, open box or bag | Hangers clip together; open boxes save space |
| Brooms, mops | Large, open box or carry separately | Stand upright if possible |
| Lint rollers, dry sheets | Small | Bundle together |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 1–2 for a 2-bed.
Office or study
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Books | Small (heavy) | Don’t overfill; books are dense |
| Desk equipment (printer, keyboard, mouse) | Original boxes if possible | Use linen roll or soft bag to bundle cables |
| Files and papers | Medium | Use plastic filing boxes; keep important documents with you |
| Stationery | Small | Bundle pens; use plastic containers for small items |
Cartons needed (rough guide): 2–4, depending on how much you have.
General (living spaces, hallway)
| Item | Box size | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Coats, jackets, hats | Port-a-robe | Leave on hangers; coats take up less space this way |
| Shoes (entrance) | Small | Keep in original boxes or bags for easy unpacking |
| Bags, luggage | Large (soft) | Stuff with socks, scarves or smaller items to use space |
| Umbrellas | Medium | Stand upright in a tall box or carry separately |
| Sporting equipment | Large or specialist boxes | Disassemble if possible (bike, skis); wrap padded |
Fragile items: extra care
- Crockery and glassware: wrap individually in packing paper, not newspaper (ink can transfer)
- Framed photos: wrap in blankets or use picture boxes
- Electronics: keep original packaging if possible; photograph cable connections before unplugging
- Lamps: remove bulbs; pack bases and shades separately
- Mirrors: use picture boxes; stand on edge, never flat
What professional packers do
A professional packer brings:
- Packing materials (cartons are $4 each, port-a-robe hire $15, mattress covers $10)
- Experience wrapping fragile items safely
- Speed: a 2-bed home usually takes one packer 4–6 hours
- Room-by-room labelling so unpacking is organised
Cost: $55 per packer-hour + GST. A 2-bed home typically needs 4–6 packer-hours ($220–$330 + GST); a 3-bed needs 6–8 packer-hours ($330–$440 + GST), plus materials. Packing on its own, without a removal booked, has a 3 packer-hour minimum.
You save time and can focus on other moving tasks. Add packing to your moving quote or see our packing services.
Labelling system
Label every carton with:
- Room: Kitchen, Bedroom 1, Lounge, etc.
- Contents: “Crockery & glasses”, “Summer clothes”, “Books”
- Fragility: mark fragile items clearly with a pen or sticker
Use the same room label for each carton going to that room. When you arrive, all kitchen boxes stay in the kitchen, and unpacking becomes a simple process.
Last-minute essentials
Pack a separate essentials box (don’t send it in the truck):
- Phone chargers, laptop
- Toiletries, medications
- Change of clothes, underwear
- Bedding for the first night
- Kettle, cups, tea, coffee
- Basic tools (screwdriver, scissors, knife)
- Important documents (lease, title deeds, insurance)
Packing timeline
- 6 weeks before: start de-cluttering
- 4 weeks before: gather boxes and supplies
- 2 weeks before: pack off-season items, books, decorations
- 1 week before: pack bedrooms, lounge, office
- 2 days before: pack kitchen and bathrooms
- Moving day: pack essentials, clean, final walk-through
FAQ
Q: How much does professional packing cost? $55 per packer-hour + GST, plus materials. A 2-bed usually takes one packer 4–6 hours. Add it to your moving quote.
Q: Can I pack and have removalists unpack? You can book packing only, or packing and unpacking. Unpacking takes extra packer-hours; the quote form estimates both.
Q: Should I use old newspaper for wrapping? Avoid newspaper for white crockery or light-coloured items—the ink transfers. Use packing paper or old tea towels instead.
Q: What about wardrobe boxes? A port-a-robe (hire $15) is a hanging wardrobe box. Clothes stay on hangers, which saves folding and unpacking time.
Ready to move? Get a quote and ask about adding packing to your move.