MoveCheck

Moving Supplies Checklist

Everything you actually need to pack a move, broken down by category, with where to spend and where to save. Most people under-buy tape and over-buy large boxes; this checklist helps you do the opposite.

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What to Splurge On vs Save On

Spend where failure is expensive. Save where used or household alternatives work fine.

  • Splurge on heavy-duty tape, a tape dispenser, mattress bags, and moving blankets
  • Buy new protection for fragile, expensive, or sentimental items
  • Save on large boxes, markers, and filler if you already have towels or linens
  • Use free boxes for non-fragile items, but avoid weak or damp boxes for dishes and electronics

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Boxes

Buy mostly medium boxes. They fit most household items. Pack books, tools, canned goods, dishes, and other heavy items in small boxes. Use large boxes only for light, bulky items like linens, pillows, comforters, and lampshades. Free boxes are fine for items that can't break. For kitchenware, clothes, and anything you need to stack, buy sturdy boxes of the same size.

Tape & Paper

Most people buy too little tape. Buy more than you think you need, especially if you reinforce the bottoms. A tape gun makes taping much faster. Wrap dishes in packing paper, not newspaper. Newspaper ink rubs off on white china, and you don't want to spend your first week scrubbing plates.

Furniture Protection

Splurge here. A mattress bag costs far less than a new mattress. It protects the mattress from rain, dirt, and scuffs against doorframes. Moving blankets work the same way. They keep dressers, headboards, and bookcases from getting dinged. Professional movers bring their own. If you rent a truck or use a moving container, you need your own.

Tools & Equipment

Rent a dolly if you move once. Buy one if you move often. A convertible 2-in-1 dolly works both upright and as a 4-wheel platform. It is the most useful single tool for a DIY move. Keep a basic toolkit where you can reach it during the move. You will take apart at least one bed frame and put it back together at your new home. Do it before bedtime on day one.

Labeling

Write labels on the side of the box, not the top. You can't read top labels once boxes are stacked. Use a permanent marker, because ballpoint ink fades. Color-coded labels are overkill for a 1-bedroom move. In a 3-bedroom house they save time. Movers can see the color from across the room and put each box in the right room without asking.

Your Moving Timeline

1

4 Weeks Before

Buy medium and small boxes, packing paper, and a few large boxes for linens. Start packing books, decor, off-season clothes, and other non-essentials.

2

3 Weeks Before

Buy heavy-duty tape, a tape dispenser, permanent markers, and labels. Label boxes by room as you pack so you do not have to reopen them later.

3

2 Weeks Before

Buy bubble wrap and moving blankets. Pack fragile items now.

4

1 Week Before

Buy mattress bag, stretch wrap. Pack everything except daily essentials.

5

Moving Day

Keep extra tape and a few empty boxes on hand - there's always one more thing to pack.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get free moving boxes?

The best free moving boxes usually come from local reuse groups and stores with sturdy daily shipments.

  • Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups: search "free moving boxes" the week before your move.
  • Liquor stores: small, sturdy boxes that are good for heavy items.
  • Costco, Sam's Club, and Trader Joe's: strong boxes, but inconsistent sizes.
  • Bookstores: useful medium boxes.
  • U-Haul Box Exchange: local listings from recent movers.

What size moving boxes do I need?

Use small boxes for heavy items, medium boxes for most household items, and large boxes only for light bulky items.

  • Small boxes: books, canned goods, tools, dishes, and other dense items.
  • Medium boxes: kitchenware, decor, electronics, and mixed household items.
  • Large boxes: pillows, linens, comforters, and lampshades.

Do I really need a tape dispenser?

For a small move, no. For a full house, yes.

  • A tape dispenser saves time on every box.
  • It also prevents the repeated hassle of finding the tape edge after every cut.
  • A pack of heavy-duty tape with a dispenser is one of the best low-cost supply upgrades.

What's the difference between packing paper and bubble wrap?

Packing paper is the everyday default; bubble wrap is for fragile or high-value items.

  • Use packing paper for dishes, glassware, decor, and filling empty space.
  • Use bubble wrap for electronics, picture frames, ceramics, and sentimental items.
  • Avoid newspaper for white dishes because ink can transfer.

What moving supplies do I actually need?

At minimum, you need boxes, tape, labels, protective paper, and one first-night box.

  • Core supplies: moving boxes, heavy-duty tape, tape dispenser, packing paper, and permanent markers.
  • First-night box: toiletries, bedding, chargers, medication, basic kitchen items, and a change of clothes.
  • For larger or DIY truck moves, add mattress bags, moving blankets, stretch wrap, furniture sliders, and a dolly.

Is it better to buy moving boxes or get free boxes?

Use both: buy new boxes for consistency and use free boxes for low-risk items.

  • Buy new medium boxes for most household items because they stack and carry better.
  • Use free boxes for books, pantry goods, garage items, and non-fragile things.
  • Avoid weak, damp, or oddly shaped boxes for dishes, electronics, and heavy items.
  • Mixing both keeps cost down without making packing chaotic.