How many packing boxes do I need?

How many packing boxes do I need?

Whether you are moving for the first time or have a long history of local moves behind you, it is never easy or simple to leave the place you are used to calling home and step into something unknown. Not only is it quite difficult when you think about all the memories you made there, all the friends and neighbors who will now be a lot further away and all the things and places that you loved about your old place, but it is also a very demanding and tiring process. You should have many things on your mind when planning a local move, from finding packers and movers to priming your new home, none of these steps is fun, but they will all lead you to have as smooth and pleasant relocation as it could be. 

We asked our packers and movers what the main things you should handle when moving locally are and the answer is quite expected. Even though your local move consists of many small steps that you need to take along the way, it all sums up in two main things that you should worry about – packing and moving. Both of these parts are equally important for having a successful relocation, but they are not equally time-draining and overwhelming. Our packers and movers have something to admit – they think that packing is a lot more difficult than heavy-lifting and carrying enormous boxes and pieces of furniture around. It is because the process of packing has to be done perfectly in order for your relocation to go smoothly and to do that you have to invest a lot of your time and energy.

Yes, the packers and movers are usually able to pack and move you all in one day, but if you are choosing to handle packing by yourself, you should definitely keep in mind that it is far from fast and simple to pack everything you own in a secure and neat way. That is why hiring packers and movers is always a good idea and something that we recommend you explore. There are many affordable movers who can provide you with flawless service and save you a lot of trouble if you take the time to explore and get to know a few packers and movers in the area. 

However, if you are really sure that you want to pack on your own, we asked our packers and movers what the best topic that we can talk about to help you out is. We were quite surprised to find out that talking about the number of boxes that you will need for your local move might be more significant than talking about techniques and ways to pack your belongings safely. The reason is that no matter how well you pack everything if you use the wrong size boxes and you overpack or leave them empty, your belongings might get damaged along the way and all your hard work is for nothing. You should also keep in mind if you are choosing to pack on your own, but hire local movers to transfer your items because they are not responsible for the damage made along the way if it is a result of your poor packing.

Before we start talking about the number of boxes that you need to move locally, there are few tips that our packers and movers want to share with you. The first and the ultimate tip that we always give to our clients is to take some time to declutter and get rid of things they don’t use or need anymore. You would be surprised how many things are laying around in the corners without you noticing them but taking up your space and making a mess. Taking some time to purge and decide what really matters to you and getting rid of everything else will make your move a lot cheaper and easier. 

When it comes to where you should pack all the things that you own, there is something that our packers and movers always emphasize and that is – always consider using packing supplies instead of improvising with the things you have. This is especially important when we talk about the boxes because the boxes for moving are designed in such a way to keep your belongings safe and to provide them with proper stability. If you just take some boxes from the local stores around you, they might easily tear apart and you will be left with damaged items and more work than you began with. That is why using packing supplies will save you both time and money in the long run.

Last but not least, always pack the heavier things in the small boxes, while keeping the big boxes from the light items. This is the only tip that our packers and movers have for you when it comes to packing techniques that you should use since you will definitely have too much information on your mind if we go into it as well. Don’t leave the empty spaces in the boxes, but rather fill them with some pieces of clothes, sheets, blankets and all the things that you can find useful.

If you are ready, our packers and movers are also ready to get into the talk about boxes and how using them properly can make your relocation faster and easier.

Box sizes and types

If packing on your own, you will need to purchase boxes of various sizes and characteristics. When you hire packers and movers they usually have these provided, so you don’t have to worry about it.  Pack heavy items in small boxes so they’re easier to carry. These are perfect for books, CDs, DVDs, or pots and pans. Medium-sized boxes are great for most things. Use large boxes for linen, doonas and duvets, pillows, and any other bulky yet light items. Obtain dish barrel boxes for your china and mirror boxes for mirrors and artwork. Wardrobe boxes make it much easier to pack and unpack your clothes without tangling hangers. Our packers and movers don’t just provide you with the best quality packing supplies, but they can also pack all your items in the blink of an eye, so we encourage you not to hesitate if you need any kind of help or advice from professional movers and get in touch with us. 

Number of boxes based on your home’s square footage

Believe your packers and movers when they say it, no matter the magnitude or nature of your belongings, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all moving boxes. You do want a variety of boxes to keep your various items properly protected and packed snugly; however, avoid using too many different shapes and sizes so that packing your moving truck doesn’t become a game of Tetris.

One of the easiest ways to calculate how many boxes you will need for your local move is to decide a number of boxes based on your home’s square footage. Based on the square footage of your home, our packers and movers have provided a rough estimate to calculate the number of boxes you will need.

400 to 700 Square Feet:

• 7-15 small boxes or 9-15 medium boxes

•6 large boxes or 3 extra-large boxes

700 to 1,250 Square Feet:

•7-23 small boxes or 15-22 medium boxes

•7-11 large boxes or 4-6 extra-large boxes

1,200 to 2,000 Square Feet:

•32-40 small boxes or 25-45 medium boxes

•16-26 large boxes or 10-13 extra-large boxes

We made this one as simple as it could be and we hope that you will find it useful.

Box sizes and types

Now, we want to get into a more detailed explanation of how many boxes you need for your local move. Choosing the number of boxes based on the home footage is the easiest way, but doing it based on the type and number of rooms that your home consists of is a lot more precise. This is why our packers and movers shared this detailed guide besides the simple one too. As you can see, the approximate quantity of cardboard containers can depend on many factors. Of course, square footage and rooms are the most important ones, but other factors can also play an important role in determining that quantity but they will be case-specific and it is up to you to take them into consideration when purchasing brand-new cardboard boxes or getting your hands on used moving boxes.

That is why it is a lot simpler to just hire packers and movers to do this for you.

Let’s talk about rooms now. For two persons living a modest lifestyle, you should expect the following number of boxes classified according to the number of bedrooms in your home.

Studio apartment

• 16 medium boxes;

• 14 large boxes;

• 8 extra-large boxes;

• 4 wardrobe boxes;

• 3 picture boxes.

• 1-bedroom apartment

1-bedroom apartment 

• 21 medium boxes;

• 17 large boxes;

• 9 extra-large boxes;

• 4 wardrobe boxes;

• 4 picture boxes.

• 2-bedroom apartment

2-bedroom apartment

• 31 medium boxes;

• 23 large boxes;

• 11 extra-large boxes;

• 4 wardrobe boxes;

• 6 picture boxes.

• 3-bedroom house

3-bedroom house

• 46 medium boxes;

• 32 large boxes;

• 14 extra-large boxes;

• 4 wardrobe boxes;

• 9 picture boxes.

Number of boxes based on types of rooms

Now let’s talk about different types of rooms. As a rule of thumb, you will approximately need 10 medium, 6 large, and 1 wardrobe box per room. Please bear in mind this is just an estimate. Rooms can drastically vary in size and content. Here is a guide from our packers and movers for how many boxes each room needs on average:

Kitchen: To pack up an average kitchen size you’ll need around 7 medium and 8 large boxes.

Living room: 4-5 medium boxes, 5-6 large boxes.

Dining room: If you store dishes in your dining room, please make sure your dishes are protected with bubble wrap, you will probably need 4-6 medium boxes.

Master bedroom: Typically, a master bedroom requires the most boxes. Be prepared to have 6-7 medium boxes, 4-6 wardrobe boxes, 8-10 large boxes.

All other bedrooms: It will all depend on who each bedroom belongs to. Your teenage daughter will likely hang more clothes than your 4-year-old son. On average you will probably need 3-6 medium boxes and 5-6 large boxes and 2-4 wardrobe boxes.

Bathroom: 2-4 medium boxes should be sufficient for your bathroom items.

Of course, you may have some items stored in the attic, garage, storage room, etc. You will need to reserve some packing materials and boxes for the items in these spaces.

Not all the houses and apartments are the same regardless of the fact that they have the same square footage and number of rooms. On the other hand, when it comes to different types of rooms, people also have different lifestyles and preferences which is why making an ultimate guide that will work for your home 100% is probably impossible. That is why scheduling a meeting with the packers and movers in your area would probably make this job a lot easier. Not only that packers and movers can provide you with all kinds of services and finish the packing for you, but they can also share some pretty valuable pieces of advice that will make packing for your local move a lot easier and faster. 

City Pro Movers San Diego are one of the best local movers in the area and our packers and movers have successfully relocated thousands of people so far. Choosing to hire our professional movers means choosing a perfect relocation and peace of mind for you and your family. No matter what kind of help you need, our packers and movers are always there to listen to your wishes and needs and do everything in their power to handle your relocation in a way that meets your expectations. Don’t wait for too long, get in touch with the packers and movers from City Pro Movers San Diego and get this relocation over with.