King Relocation and Logistics Blog

How to Select the Right Moving Supplies

Boxes, tape, and wrapping paper are synonymous with moving. But, when it comes to protecting your valuables and personal belongings during the relocation process, not just any box, tape or wrapping materials will do. Like any job worth doing well, you must choose the right tools, so we asked the moving experts here at King Relocation & Logistics for their best advice when it comes to selecting moving supplies.

Don’t skimp. How many boxes will you need for your upcoming move? It really depends on the size of your home, the types and amount of household goods and personal belongings you are taking with you, and your personal packing style. On average, a typical three-bedroom home will require between 70 to 150 boxes. It’s a good idea to hit the higher range of that number as the last thing you want to do is run out of boxes the night before the big move.

Size matters. How you pack your belongings will make a significant difference in preventing damage during your move. Avoid the temptation to throw a bunch of things together in a large box to save time. Heavier items like books or fragile items such as figurines, glass or small sculptures should be carefully wrapped and packed in smaller boxes, while lighter items like lampshades, pillows, blankets, and towels can be packed in larger boxes.

Protect your most fragile items. In addition to selecting a variety of box sizes for your upcoming move, you should also consider using specialized boxes like dish packs and glass packs to protect your fine china, everyday dishes, crystal, stemware, glassware, and small antiques. These compartmentalized boxes provide extra layers of cardboard to help prevent these items from breaking during transit. Additionally, when packing any of your more fragile items in standard boxes, you should consider wrapping them in unprinted news wrapping paper or bubble wrap as an extra layer of protection.

Choose the right seal. Once you’ve filled a box, you must choose the right seal to keep it safe and secure during the move. There are many choices, but the best option is clear packing tape designed specifically for taping cardboard boxes shut. You can also use shipping tape for this purpose, and if you have a heavier box that needs reinforcing, duct tape is a good choice.

Label your belongings. Permanent markers are one of the best ways to label your boxes to ensure you can keep track of your household goods, valuables and personal belongings during the move. Avoid using pencils and ball point pens as they can be hard to read. Include an overview of what is in the box and which room it should be placed in when it arrives at your new home. If there isn’t a space on the box to write these details, you can use masking or painter’s tape for this purpose.

We hope that these tips prove to be helpful if you or someone you know is planning an upcoming move.