How to Pack for a House Move: The Complete Guide
Room-by-room packing instructions, materials lists and the packing mistakes that cause damage on moving day.
Poor packing is the number one cause of damage during house moves. After completing thousands of removals across Greater Manchester — from Radcliffe to Ashton-under-Lyne — our team has seen what works and what doesn't. This guide gives you the professional approach, room by room.
If you'd prefer to leave packing entirely to us, our full packing service is available on every house removal booking.
Packing materials you'll need
We supply all packing materials when you add our packing service to your booking. Get a quote.
Room-by-room packing guide
Kitchen
Pack last (except rarely used items)- Start with items you rarely use: bread maker, fondue set, special occasion crockery
- Wrap plates individually in packing paper, stack vertically (on edge) — never flat
- Cups and mugs: wrap individually, pack upside down in boxes
- Glasses: wrap in bubble wrap, label 'FRAGILE — GLASS'
- Pots and pans: nest together with paper between, heavier items at the bottom
- Sharp knives: wrap in cardboard and tape before packing
- Food: pack non-perishables last. Defrost and run the freezer 24hrs before
- Small appliances: wrap in original boxes if kept, or in bubble wrap and packing paper
Bedroom
Pack clothes last, everything else early- Wardrobe boxes: hang clothes directly — no folding or taking off hangers
- Fold remaining clothes in drawers and tape drawers shut (or remove and transport separately)
- Bedding: pack in large boxes or bags, label clearly
- Books: always in small boxes, fill to the top, write 'HEAVY' clearly
- Sentimental items and ornaments: wrap individually in bubble wrap
- Disassemble bed frames — keep all screws in a labelled ziplock bag taped to the frame
- Pack a 'first night' bag: pyjamas, change of clothes, toiletries, phone charger
Living Room
Pack early — books, decor, entertainment- Books: small boxes only. 'BOOKS — HEAVY' on all sides
- DVDs, CDs, games: medium boxes, packed tightly to prevent movement
- Ornaments and picture frames: wrap individually in bubble wrap or packing paper
- Artwork: use purpose-made picture boxes, or wrap in cardboard and blankets
- Electronics: photograph cables before disconnecting. Label each cable
- TV: use original box if available. If not, a specialist TV box. Never lay flat without protection
- Sofa cushions: large bags or boxes — these are light and can fill any gaps in the van
Bathroom
Pack last before moving day- Seal liquids (shampoo, conditioner, medicine) with tape across lids before packing
- Wrap glass bottles individually in packing paper
- Medicine: keep all medication with you in a bag — do not put in the van
- Towels: great padding material — use around fragile items
- Toiletry bag: prepare a separate toiletries bag for the first night
Home Office
Pack documents and equipment carefully- Back up all computers and hard drives before packing
- Photograph cable setups before disconnecting
- Important documents: keep passports, contracts, insurance documents with you
- Use original boxes for monitors and computers if available
- Label all cables or use ziplock bags with labels
- Printers: remove ink cartridges, tape the paper tray closed
Garage & Shed
Pack separately — often the messiest room- Dispose of hazardous materials: paint, chemicals, aerosols — cannot be transported
- Petrol: drain from lawnmowers and strimmers before moving day
- Tools: wrap sharp tools in newspaper or bubble wrap
- Garden equipment: clean soil off gardening tools before packing
- Bikes: deflate tyres slightly to prevent tyre expansion in the van
- Heavy equipment: label clearly and inform the removal team in advance
What NOT to put in the removal van
These items cannot legally be transported in removal vans or are too valuable to risk. Keep them with you.
Labelling: the step most people skip
Proper labelling makes unloading 3x faster and means you can find everything on the first night without opening every box. Here's the professional system our team uses:
Packing FAQs
How many boxes do I need for a house move?
As a rough guide: studio flat — 10–20 boxes; 1-bed flat — 20–30 boxes; 2-bed house — 30–50 boxes; 3-bed house — 50–80 boxes; 4-bed house — 80–120 boxes. These are estimates — heavy book collections, large kitchens and significant wardrobes all increase the number needed.
Where can I get free boxes for moving in Manchester?
Supermarkets (Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi) often give away boxes — ask at customer services or visit early in the morning. Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle also have people giving away boxes after their own moves. Our service includes professional double-walled boxes if you'd prefer new ones.
Should I pack books in big or small boxes?
Always small boxes. Books are extremely heavy and a large box of books is almost impossible to lift safely. Use small boxes, fill them to the top (so they don't collapse when stacked), and write 'BOOKS — HEAVY' on every side.
Can I leave clothes in drawers during the move?
For flat-pack furniture that you're disassembling, no — remove clothes first. For solid wood chests of drawers, sometimes yes — but check with your removal team. Drawers can be removed and transported separately to reduce weight.
What shouldn't I pack in moving boxes?
Don't pack: hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, aerosols), perishable food, plants, passports, cash, medication (keep with you), jewellery or valuables, important documents, pets. Keep these in your car or on your person on moving day.
Want us to handle the packing?
Add our professional packing service to any house removal. We bring all materials and pack everything safely.
07438 447286