The short answer: start two weeks before, packing the rooms you use least first. Put heavy things in small boxes and light things in big ones. Wrap every fragile item on its own, fill every gap so nothing moves, and label each box on two sides with the room, what’s inside and whether it’s fragile. Keep one essentials box with you on the day.
What you need
Buy proper double-wall removal boxes. Supermarket boxes are free, but they’re all different sizes, don’t stack and split when they get damp. Get more than you think: almost everyone runs out.
| Home size | Small boxes | Medium boxes | Large boxes | Tape rolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 5 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| 1 bedroom | 8 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
| 2 bedroom | 12 | 18 | 10 | 4 |
| 3 bedroom | 18 | 25 | 14 | 6 |
This is a rough guide. A home with lots of books or kitchenware needs more small boxes. Also get:
- Packing paper for plates and glasses (cleaner than newspaper, which leaves ink on everything).
- Bubble wrap for electronics, frames and anything that can crack.
- Thick marker pens, one per person packing.
- Wardrobe boxes if you have a lot of hanging clothes.
- No need for mattress bags. We bring reusable ones.
- Sandwich bags for screws and bolts when furniture comes apart.
The 6 rules of packing
- Heavy in small, light in big. A large box of books can’t be lifted safely. Books, tins and tools go in small boxes. Bedding, cushions and towels go in large ones.
- Keep boxes under 20kg. If you struggle to lift it, it’s too heavy. Split it.
- Fill every gap. Pack each box like a Central line carriage at rush hour: full, tight, nothing moving. Use towels, tea towels, socks or scrunched paper.
- Close the lid flat. A box that bulges or caves in can’t be stacked. Tape the bottom in an H shape, not one strip.
- One room per box. Mixed boxes slow down unpacking. If you must mix, write it on the box.
- Pack the least-used rooms first. Spare room, loft and shelves first. Kitchen and bathroom last.
Would rather not pack at all?
Our packing service brings the boxes, paper and tape and packs your home properly, room by room. Add it to any move.
How to pack a kitchen
The kitchen takes longest. Most people underestimate it by half a day. Start with the cupboards you rarely open.
- Plates: wrap each one in paper and stand them on their edge in the box, like records. They’re far stronger on edge than lying flat.
- Glasses and mugs: wrap each one, stuff paper inside, and put them in the top layer of a small box.
- Pots and pans: nest them together with paper between each one. Put lids in a separate small box.
- Knives: wrap the blades in cardboard, tape it shut and label the box “sharp”.
- Food: use up open packets before the move. Tape the lids of jars and put them in a bag before they go in a box.
- Fridge and freezer: empty, defrost and dry them at least 24 hours before so they don’t leak in the van.
Mover’s tip: a box of plates on edge with paper between them can survive the van better than a box packed flat with twice the bubble wrap.
How to pack a living room
- Books: small boxes only, laid flat or spine down. Never on the front edge.
- Sofa: remove the legs if you can and keep them in a labelled bag. We wrap and protect the sofa on the day.
- TV: take it off its stand and wrap the screen in bubble wrap, or use the original box if you still have it. Prefer us to do it? Ask when you book and we’ll include it in your quote. We can also take down wall-mounted TVs, quoted in advance. Photograph the cables before you unplug them.
- Shelves: take everything off. Flat-pack units like IKEA Kallax travel well as they are, without being taken apart.
- Cushions and throws: use them in place of paper to fill gaps in boxes.
How to pack a bedroom and wardrobe
- Hanging clothes: leave them on the hangers. Use wardrobe boxes, or bunch 10 hangers together and slide a bin bag over them from the bottom.
- Folded clothes: suitcases and holdalls are free boxes. Fill them first.
- Chests of drawers: empty heavy drawers. Light clothes can sometimes stay in, but ask us first, as it depends on the unit.
- Beds: strip the bed and put the bedding in a large box marked “open first”. Bag every screw and tape the bag to the frame.
- Mattress: leave it to us. Every mattress goes in one of our reusable mattress bags, included in your price, and travels upright.
Before we take a wardrobe apart: some flat-pack wardrobe backboards don’t go back exactly as they came out. We’ll always tell you before we start, so you can decide.
How to pack a bathroom
- Unscrew bottle caps, put a square of cling film over the top and screw the cap back on. No more leaks.
- Stand bottles upright in a box lined with a bin bag.
- Pack medicines, glasses, contact lenses and chargers in your essentials box, not the van.
- Leave out one towel, soap and toilet roll each for the old and the new home.
How to pack a home office and tech
- Back up your laptop before moving day.
- Monitors: original box if you have one. If not, bubble wrap the screen and stand it upright.
- Cables: photograph your setup, then put each device’s cables in its own labelled bag.
- Paperwork: passports, tenancy agreements, bank cards and keys travel with you, never in the van.
- Desk chair: lower it fully and wrap the arms. It usually goes in the van as it is.
Mirrors, art and plants
- Mirrors and framed art: tape a cross over the glass so any crack doesn’t scatter, then wrap in blankets or bubble wrap. Always carry and load them standing up, never flat, and never press on the centre.
- Large paintings: corner protectors plus a blanket. Tell us in your quote so we bring enough padding.
- Plants: water them two days before, not the day before, so pots aren’t heavy and muddy. Wrap the pot in a bag and tie it loosely around the stem.
Fragile items go into the van last and come out first. That’s how we load every move.
How to label boxes
Write on the top and on one side, so you can read it when boxes are stacked. Use three things: the room, what’s inside, and whether it’s fragile.
Number your boxes and keep a list on your phone. If you have 40 boxes and count 39 in the new home, you know straight away.
Mover’s tip: stick a sign on each door in the new home with the same room names you used on the boxes. Our team will put every box in the right room without asking.
Your essentials box
Pack one box or bag that travels with you, not in the van. It should hold everything you need for the first night:
- Phone chargers, laptop and medicines
- Keys, documents and bank cards
- Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee and snacks
- Toilet roll, soap, towels and a change of clothes
- Bedding for the first night
- A screwdriver, scissors and bin bags
What not to pack
For safety, removal vans can’t carry anything that could catch fire, explode or leak. Use these up, give them away or dispose of them properly before the move:
- Paint, paint thinners and white spirit
- Gas bottles, camping gas and fuel cans
- Fireworks, matches and lighter fluid
- Bleach and strong cleaning chemicals
- Open food and anything that will spoil
Valuables like jewellery, cash and important documents should travel with you.
Packing timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks before | Declutter. Sell, donate or book a waste collection for what you don’t want to move. |
| 2 weeks before | Buy materials. Pack the spare room, loft, books and decorations. |
| 1 week before | Pack clothes you won’t wear, most of the kitchen and the living room. |
| 2 days before | Defrost the fridge. Water plants. Pack the bathroom, leaving the basics. |
| Night before | Pack your essentials box. Strip the beds. Put signs on doors in the new home if you have access. |
| Moving day | Walk round with your Move Leader. Point out fragile items and anything staying behind. |
Packing questions
How many boxes do I need for a 1 bedroom flat?
Usually 25 to 30 boxes: about 8 small, 12 medium and 6 large. Add more small boxes if you have lots of books or kitchenware.
When should I start packing?
Two weeks before for most flats, three for a house. Start with the rooms you use least.
Do I need to empty my drawers?
Empty heavy items like books and tools. Light clothes can sometimes stay in, depending on the furniture. Ask us when you book.
Will you pack for me?
Yes. Our packing service covers part of your home or all of it, and we bring all the materials.
Ready to move?
Send your details on WhatsApp and get your tailored quote. Since your move isn’t exactly like your neighbour’s.