If the area of your home is 700–900 sq ft (65–84 m2), estimate 15 small boxes, 13 medium boxes, 6 large boxes, and 3 extra large boxes. If the area is 900–1,200 sq ft (84–111 m2), estimate 21 small, 19 medium, 10 large, and 6 extra large boxes. If the area is 1,200–1,600 sq ft (110–150 m2), estimate 30 small, 29 medium, 15 large, and 9 extra large boxes. If the area is 1,600–1,800 sq ft (150–170 m2), estimate 35 small, 33 medium, 19 large, and 11 extra large boxes. Do not risk having your stuff fall out because you used heavily-worn, flimsy, or damaged boxes. A moving company may refuse to load any boxes that are ripped, torn, or stained.

Consider this box a type of “overnight bag. " Make it one of the last boxes you put on the truck so that you can easily find it and use it when you arrive.

If you haven’t already gone through your stuff and gotten rid of things you don’t want to pack up, do so now. Get rid of as much clutter as possible before you start packing.

New, undamaged moving boxes are rated to hold at least 50 lb (23 kg), but it’s best to aim for around 30 lb (14 kg) or less per box. [6] X Research source

Press down on the tape to make sure it’s firmly in place. 3 strips of good quality packing tape should be plenty. If adding even more tape gives you extra peace of mind, do one or both of the following: run 2 strips along the side seams of the box’s bottom, creating an H-shape; run 2 strips of tape from corner to corner in an X pattern.

While professional movers are typically better at handling heavy boxes, it’s still best not to go over about 30 lb (14 kg) per box.

To pack items on hangers in boxes, buy special wardrobe boxes that have built-in hanging rails. You can get these anywhere moving boxes are sold. While it’s tempting to use clothing and linens as padding material, it’s best to use functional padding like packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and crumpled packing paper instead. If you’re worried about your clothes and linens getting dirty or stained, line the insides of the boxes with packing paper, butcher paper, or craft paper. Put pillows in vacuum-sealing bags if you need to reduce the amount of space they take up.

Since you can see what’s in them, labeling the bags is optional. Doing so may help you remember what goes with what, though. For example, if you have screws and bolts for mounting your computer monitor, label the bag “monitor hardware. "

It’s better to use too much packing paper than not enough![11] X Expert Source Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.

Buy bags of packing peanuts or paper at an office supply store, post office, or hardware store.

For example, place a few recipe books on the bottom, put a kettle and toaster on top of them, and then add bags of fridge magnets and spatulas to finish things off. Don’t leave any substantial empty voids in the box. Otherwise, the box could cave in when you stack other boxes on top of it. [14] X Expert Source Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.

Don’t use masking tape to seal the top of the box, and definitely not to seal the bottom! Duct tape is also a poor choice, despite its strength, because it doesn’t stick to cardboard as well as does packing tape.

For example, you might write “books, living room” or “toys, Maddie’s room. " If the box contains random items, write “misc. " or “miscellaneous. " For example, “misc. kitchen supplies. " Draw arrows pointing to the top of the box to indicate which side is up. This will ensure that the heavier objects stay on the bottom.

When getting moving boxes, consider picking up a few specialty boxes for fragile items that have, for instance, cardboard separators inside them. That said, it’s definitely possible to safely pack fragile items in standard moving boxes.

As another alternative, line the bottom of the box with multiple layers of bubble wrap until it’s at least 2 in (5. 1 cm) thick.

For items that are hollow in the middle, like glasses, mugs, and vases, stuff a wad of crumpled paper inside. Do not use clothing or towels to wrap fragile items. These are not secure enough to prevent breakage.

As with non-fragile packing, put heavier items in the box first. A heavier fragile object should never be pressing down directly on a lighter one.

The box should be full but not bulging at the edges. Don’t overstuff boxes with fragile items.

If you’re not 100% sure you packed the items securely enough, try this test: pick up the box and very gently rock it back and forth like a sleeping baby. If you feel any movement inside the box, you haven’t used enough packing material inside!

When packing the truck, make sure that heavier objects are not placed on top of this box.