Top Packing Tips for Moving House

Ask any experienced removal team and they'll tell you the same thing: good packing makes or breaks a house move. Pack poorly and you risk damaged belongings, boxes that collapse under the weight of others, and a chaotic unpacking process at the other end. Pack well and your move will be faster, safer, and far less stressful. Here are our expert tips from the team at Roadwise Removals.

1. Start Early and Pack Room by Room

The biggest packing mistake people make is leaving it too late. Start packing at least four weeks before your moving date, beginning with the rooms and items you use least. Spare bedrooms, loft contents, seasonal clothing, books, and decorative items can all be packed well in advance.

Work through one room at a time rather than jumping between rooms. This makes the process less overwhelming and ensures that items from the same room stay together, which makes unpacking at the other end much more straightforward.

2. Use the Right Materials

Quality packing materials are not an area to cut corners on. Poor-quality boxes collapse and can result in damaged belongings. Use sturdy, double-walled boxes in a range of sizes. You'll need:

• Sturdy cardboard boxes – double-walled for heavier items
• Bubble wrap – essential for fragile items
• Tissue paper and packing paper – for wrapping individual items
• Packing tape – plenty of it. Don't use parcel tape as it loses grip under pressure.
• Permanent markers – for labelling boxes clearly
• Wardrobe boxes – tall boxes with a hanging rail for keeping clothes on their hangers

3. Label Every Box Clearly

Label every box with: the destination room, a brief description of the contents, and whether the box is fragile or heavy. Write on the top and on at least one side so the label is visible even when boxes are stacked.

If you want to take it a step further, use colour-coded stickers – one colour per room. This allows the removal team to quickly identify where each box should go without having to read every label.

4. How to Pack Fragile Items

Fragile items require extra care and attention. Follow these guidelines:

• Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap or tissue paper before placing it in the box.
• Line the bottom of the box with crumpled paper or bubble wrap as a cushion.
• Fill all gaps between items with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper so nothing shifts during transit.
• Pack fragile items upright where possible – glasses, for example, should be packed on their rims rather than sitting flat.
• Never overfill fragile boxes – keep them at a manageable weight so the bottom doesn't give way.
• Mark the box prominently as "FRAGILE" on the top and all four sides.

5. Packing Dishes and Glassware

Crockery and glassware deserve their own section because they're so commonly damaged during moves. For plates, wrap each one individually and stack them on their edges (not flat) – this distributes the weight more evenly and reduces breakage. Use specialist dish packing boxes if available.

For glasses and mugs, wrap each one individually and consider using glass cell dividers – small cardboard inserts that keep each glass separate and prevent them knocking together. Pack glasses upside down on a generous layer of cushioning material.

6. Packing Clothes

Wardrobe boxes allow you to keep clothes on their hangers, which saves enormous time when unpacking and prevents creasing. For short moves, you can simply remove clothes from the wardrobe as a group and lay them flat across the back seat of a car.

For chest of drawers, if the drawers are not too heavy and you're confident they won't fall open during the move, you can often leave folded clothes inside the drawers and move the unit with the contents in place. Ask your removal team for guidance on this.

7. Packing Books

Books are deceptively heavy. Always use small boxes for books – a large box of books will be impossibly heavy to lift safely. Pack books flat (not on their spines) or standing upright. Fill any gaps with lighter items such as soft toys or folded tea towels to prevent books shifting in transit.

8. Packing Electronics

The original packaging is always best for electronics. If you've kept boxes for your television, laptop, or other devices, use them. If not, wrap electronics in bubble wrap, making sure screens are protected, and mark the box as fragile.

Before dismantling any entertainment systems or computers, photograph the cable setup from multiple angles. This makes reassembly at the new property much faster and avoids the frustration of trying to remember which cable goes where.

9. Pack an Essentials Box

This is the most important box of all. Pack a clearly labelled "open first" box or bag that contains everything you'll need on arrival at your new home:

• Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, and milk
• Snacks and a few basic food items
• Phone chargers and laptop
• Toilet roll and hand soap
• A change of clothes and toiletries
• Important documents (passports, contracts, insurance)
• Children's or pet's essentials
• A torch (in case lights aren't working at the new property)

10. Don't Overfill Boxes

This seems obvious, but it's one of the most common packing mistakes. Overfilled boxes are harder to carry, more likely to collapse, and put strain on the removal team. A good rule of thumb: if you can't comfortably lift the box with two hands, it's too heavy. Fill gaps with lightweight items such as soft furnishings, towels, or clothing rather than adding more weight.

Consider Our Professional Packing Service

If you're short on time, have high-value or fragile items, or simply don't want the stress of packing yourself, Roadwise offers a professional packing service. Our trained packers will handle everything with care, using professional-grade materials to ensure your belongings arrive safely. Combined with our house removal service, it's a truly hassle-free move from start to finish.