Check out the 10 best moving supplies for a stress-free, organized move. Skip to my MOVING SUPPLIES CHECKLIST.
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My husband and I have moved 7 times in 15 years, which is insane when I think about it. Some of the moves were job related and some were us falling in love with different houses. We are now in our forever (or mostly forever) home, so hopefully soon I’ll stop having PTDS when I pass the moving supplies aisle at Home Depot!
With all of these moves comes a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the best moving supplies for a seamless move. We always hired movers to do the actual heavy lifting (we want to stay married!), but we did 100% of the packing and organizing. I have moving down to a science and know exactly what supplies you need.
Moving can be super stressful but when you have the right supplies, it makes things a lot easier. Check out my top 10 best moving supplies for an organized move and keep your cool during the entire process!
How to Organize a Move with the 10 Best Moving Supplies
1. Moving Boxes in Different Sizes
Get moving boxes in a variety of sizes depending on what items you are moving. I only buy large to XL moving boxes, because we have more than enough stuff to fill them. If you have smaller items that you want to separate from the herd, opt for small to medium size boxes as another option.
We used the same moving boxes for 3-4 moves and then it was clear they were toast. I ordered large and XL boxes with handles from Amazon, and they worked perfectly. With the handles, make sure you only lift up (not out) or they’ll rip. I learned this the hard way!
2. TV Boxes
TVs need special boxes to make sure they don’t get damaged in a move. We have a 75” tv in our family room and a 65” in the basement that we needed to make sure were fully protected. Most TV boxes are adjustable but make sure the max dimensions will fit your TV.
These boxes come with a foam bag and corners for added protection, which is really nice!
3. Packing Tape
Sure, you can fold your boxes closed on top and bottom, but strong packing tape is my recommendation to make sure they stay protected and secured when they’re stacked on top of one another. I cannot stress this enough – don’t go cheap on your packing tape! I am all for a generic alternatives but not when it comes to packing tape. You will notice a huge difference, and quite frankly, cheap packing tape just doesn’t work. It’s thin and twists easily and just does not secure like Scotch Heavy Duty tape.
When you’ve got heavy, fragile belongings packed in a box, you want to make quadruple sure that box is strong, sturdy, and packed correctly. Buy in bulk, because you’ll need a lot!
4. Index Cards
Rather than writing on boxes, I always label them with index cards. First, it’s easier to read in a pinch because the white card stands out. And second, if you ever want to re-use these boxes, you can just remove the index card and replace it with a new one! That looks much cleaner than a box with multiple words scratched out on it.
Index cards may be reminiscent of 5th grade fraction practice for math class, but they’re so useful to organize a move! Write out 4 index cards for each box and place them on all for sides. This is so that you can identify boxes from any direction. This actually saved me after a move when my social security card was in one box in a sea of boxes in an overcrowded storage unit. Index cards for the win! Use permanent markers rather than pens so they’re easier to read.
5. Packing Paper
Packing paper is an absolute must to keep your fragile items protected in a move. Kitchenware, home decor, or anything glass or breakable will need to be tucked in a couple sheets of packing paper. To supplement packing paper, use dish towels or hand towels to cover fragile items in boxes. Not only does this help provide protection but it’s one less thing you have to pack!
6. Heavy Duty Trash Bags
There are some items that just do not make sense to throw in boxes. For me, that’s linens and clothes. All of our bedding and towels get neatly folded in heavy duty trash bags that are tied up and labeled with index cards.
For clothes, I grab a fist full of hangers and poke a small hole in the bottom of the trash bag. Then tie the bag at the bottom, so clothes are fully protected from dust, debris, and other elements. Then, label it (both sides) with index cards and rubber band the hangers, so they’re easier to carry.
I keep clothes hanging in the closet until they’re ready to be loaded in the truck. Then, unpacking is a cinch because you know exactly which closet to put them in.
7. Stretch Wrap
I stretch wrap the crap out of anything that isn’t going into a box! Furniture, art, other large decor – if it’s not in a box or bin, it’s getting stretch wrapped. Like packing tape, you’re going to want to buy this in bulk. I tried to gauge how much we were going to need up front. But thankfully, Amazon could deliver it in one day, so I could reorder it quickly.
We went through 9 of these on our last move (3-bedroom house plus a basement). Maybe I take it overboard with the stretch wrap, but not one thing was damaged in our last move. In part because our movers were really careful but also because my prep set us up for success!
8. Furniture Blankets
If you hire movers, they’re likely to have these but I always wrap my own furniture in blankets. Mainly because I know I care more about my furniture than they do. And multiple moves (where things have been damaged) have taught me better.
I don’t just drape furniture blankets over things. I stretch wrap blankets around furniture to ensure they stay put. Blankets can slide during moves so stretch wrapping gives you a much higher level of protection.
9. Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Additionally, if you’re doing the move yourself, you’ll want to invest in ratchet tie down straps. This will help secure furniture in the moving truck and keep it from sliding around. Professional movers will handle this for you. But if moving yourself, be sure to order these in advance.
10. Plastic Bins
If you’re an organized freak like me, you likely already have these! But if not, I highly recommend picking up a few for a move. Use storage bins to organize things you want to keep extra protected. For us, that would be fragile decor items, decor items that need to maintain form (like my Christmas bow tree topper!), important office documents, toiletries, pet supplies, and more.
When moving, you’re most likely driving vehicles to the new place. Pick up a couple smaller bins to store items you want to keep in the car. I always store the toiletries we use the most often in small bins and label them with an index card that they’re “pack in car” items. I did this for our jewelry as well!
I like Hefty or Sterlite brands because they’re stackable and have a secured latch closing. I’ve never had issues with lids sliding off with these and they’re durable. Pick them up at Target in store or online or order from Amazon!
Organizing a Move
When organizing a move, always plan ahead. Book movers or moving trucks in advance and order moving supplies as early as possible. Moving can be stressful, but you can certainly make it less stressful and more organized with a little proactive preparation.
I hope these tips on moving supplies help you have a stress-free, organized move. Take a deep breath, exhale, and focus on how happy you’ll be in your new home. Happy moving!
Moving Supplies Checklist
Moving Supplies FAQ
Boxes in a variety of sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap or packing paper, and permanent markers are must-haves. Add things like stretch wrap, furniture pads, and a dolly to make bigger moves easier.
Start collecting boxes and supplies at least 3–4 weeks before your move. That gives you time to get everything sorted, especially if ordering online or reusing donated boxes.
It depends on how much stuff you have, but a rough guide is 20–25 small boxes, 15–20 medium, and 5–10 large boxes for a 1–2 bedroom home. It’s better to overestimate than scramble last minute.
Bubble wrap, foam sheets, and wrapping paper are top choices. You can also use towels or linens to fill gaps and keep items secure.
Yes. Towels, blankets, and old clothes work as padding, and suitcases or duffel bags can hold heavier items. Just make sure everything is clean and sturdy.
Furniture sliders, moving straps, and a sturdy dolly make heavy pieces easier to move. Stretch wrap or pads help protect furniture surfaces in transit.
Keep a checklist and label boxes by room and content. Bag small parts like screws or hardware, and pack an “essentials box” with tools, toiletries, and items you’ll need right away.
This post is about the best moving supplies for an organized move.
