How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move? A Simple Guide to Your Relocation

Introduction to Relocation

Relocating to a new home can be a daunting task, and one of the most important steps is determining how many boxes you need. Like everything else that happens during a move, preparation, and planning are the keys to reducing hassle and stress. There are many questions you need to ask yourself when trying to determine how many boxes you need to move, like:

• How much stuff do I have? A little or a lot?

• How do I need to pack things?

• Do I need to use wardrobe boxes? Or can I use a regular box for clothes?

• How many boxes do I need? How many of each size?

• How many square feet is my current home?

• How much are these boxes going to cost to pack my house?

• Am I using a moving company to pack and transport my belongings?

Types of Cardboard Boxes

Moving day can be wrecked if you don't have the right sizes and types of boxes you need. Knowing what types and mix of boxes you need is your next move. Figure on getting a mix of these boxes and supplies.

Standard Moving Boxes

There are various types of cardboard boxes available, including small boxes, medium boxes, large boxes, and extra-large boxes. Most retailers of moving boxes offer a range of sizes. While the measurements may vary, the chart below provides a good indication of the size range. There are also heavy-duty boxes, which are typically the same size but will hold more weight (and cost more).

The size of boxes and what to put in each size is a balancing act of bulk and weight. Pack too many books in a large box, and you're guaranteed to have the handles rip, the tape fail, and your belongings will hit the floor. You must balance your ability to lift and keep the box intact by maximizing the use of space within each box. A few ways to do so is to consider uses for each size box:

• Small boxes - Use your small boxes for heavier items, such as books, kitchen utensils, small kitchen appliances, furniture hardware, and miscellaneous items from the junk drawer.

• Medium boxes- Great for office supply items, small to medium kitchen appliances, household decor, and laundry room supplies (line the box with a plastic trash bag to protect it from leaks).

• Large boxes - Place your larger, bulkier items, such as towels, bedding, pillows, and household decor.

• Extra-large boxes - Useful for oddly shaped and bulkier items, such as larger framed pictures (protected with bubble wrap) or giant pillows from furniture.

Estimating How Many Packing Boxes

The number of moving boxes required will vary from a studio apartment or one-bedroom apartment to a large single-family home. Starting with the basics and using 3 Men Movers professional packing crews' past job information, here are the projected needs by the square footage of your house. While estimating isn't an exact science, it is a good starting point.

Standard Box Sizes(3 Men Movers boxes)
Box/size	SM Box	MD Box	LG Box	XL Box
Needs	16"X12"X12"	18"X18"X16"	24"X18"X18"	24"X18X24"
under 700 sqft	10	9	5	2
700-1000 sqft	15-18	13-18	7-10	3-5
1000-1600 sqft	24-32	18-30	10-15	6-10
1600-2500 sqft	36-45	30-40	15-25	13-16

Other factors impacting the number needed:

• Fragility of belongings (needing more space for protective wrap or paper).

• The size of specific items may reduce or increase need.

• The overall quantity of personal belongings in your home.

It's always better to buy more boxes and return them if needed. Having too many on hand can be handled when packing is completed, whereas having fewer boxes costs time if you have to go buy more. Underestimating can also pull you away from focusing on the packing itself.

Specialty Moving Boxes

Clothes, dishware, and bulky but fragile items like art and flatscreen televisions require unique boxes, and using the square footage of your home doesn't work quite as well as it does for standard boxes. Home improvement retailers like Home Depot sell specialty boxes for unique needs.

Dish Barrel Boxes

These boxes come with dividers, bubble wrap and are used for separating and protecting dishware.

TV Boxes

Two-piece adjustable boxes for flatscreen televisions of varying sizes.

Wardrobe Boxes

These boxes are typically taller, and have a hanging rail for use with clothes hangers.

Figuring How Many Specialty Boxes Needed

With specialty moving boxes, it is harder to estimate how many packing boxes are needed because some people don't have fine China but might have three televisions. Or you might be a fashionista with larger closet needs. The trick is to inventory what you own and use common sense. The chart below serves as a good starting point for determining needs.

Specialty Moving Box Needs
Wardrobe Boxes	One box per two linear feet of closet space (measure width of each closet and divide by 2 as a starting point). If your clothes are tightly packed into the closet, add an additional box to be sure.
Dish Barrel Boxes	1 box typically holds 16 pieces, or a 4 piece place setting, so count the number of each size of plate, bowl, and glass to obtain number of boxes needed.
Television Boxes	Determine the number of televisions and size.
Picture Boxes	Take an inventory of any framed art, mirrors, or other interior decor to determine number needed.

Other Packing Supplies Needed

As a general rule, it's better to have too much than too little, but not just the box sizes, but also the other packing and protective supplies you will need to buy to both construct and pack your stuff. Home Depot has a great calculator that can help with determining how much stuff you need to start packing, as well as how much you should expect to spend, including:

• Packing tape

• Bubble wrap

• Wrapping paper

• Mattress bags

• Shrink wrap

• Moving blankets

How Many Moving Boxes You Need for Different Rooms

Just how many boxes needed for different rooms varies, and it's essential to consider the types of items you need to pack in each room so you can stage how many boxes are required. These numbers are just an estimate, and your needs may vary.

Bedroom Packing Needs

For each bedroom you plan on packing, consider staging a few of each of the following:

• Two to three small boxes for clothes and decor

• Two medium boxes for bedding and bulkier clothes like sweatshirts

• One wardrobe box for every two linear feet of hanging clothes

Kitchen Packing Needs

For the kitchen, plan on staging the following numbers and types of boxes to ensure that you are both protecting your small appliances and dishware, as well as preventing excessive weight in each box.

• Two to three dish barrel boxes for plates and bowls.

• Four to five medium boxes for glassware and small appliances.

• Two large boxes for glassware, utensils, and bulky items.

Living Room Packing Needs

The number of moving boxes needed for the living room will vary based on the decor and contents, such as books, furniture, accent pillows, and keepsakes. The number you'll need is specific to your move, but consider staging:

• Three to four large boxes or extra large boxes for bulky items, such as accent pillows.

• Two to three medium boxes for decorative items.

• Books are heavy, so stage small boxes by need.

• Specialty boxes for items such as art and flatscreen TVs.

• Don't forget to consider the size and weight of your belongings when choosing boxes for each room.

Master Bathroom and Laundry Room Packing Needs

How many moving boxes you need for each of these rooms is dependent upon the size of the space and what you store in each of these spaces. You may need more or less, but consider using:

• Two to three medium boxes for bathroom and laundry supplies each. Most supplies for each of these rooms consist of cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and other chemicals. All of these are typically heavy, so don't overload.

• One to three large boxes for bulky items like towels, bedding, and assorted odd-shaped items (toilet brushes, laundry baskets.

Home Office and Garage Packing needs

The number of boxes you need will depend on whether you have these spaces, how much you store in each space, and the types of items. You may need more boxes; you may need less. Due to weight, you'll need more small and medium-sized boxes.

Tips for Packing Boxes

Some overall considerations to help avoid costly mistakes that could wreck your boxes and destroy your belongings. Remember the following:

• When packing boxes, consider the size and weight of your belongings and use the correct-sized box for each item.

• Pack heavy items, such as books, in small boxes and lighter items, such as towels, in larger boxes.

• Use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect fragile items, and consider using specialty boxes for specific items.

• Tape, tape, and more tape. Use multiple layers on bottoms and tops when sealing. A quality paper tape can help ease this problem.

• Label each box clearly, and consider color-coding boxes by room to facilitate organization.

• Don't forget to pack a "tool kit" with essentials like a screwdriver, pliers, and a wrench.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• One of the most common mistakes to avoid is not having enough boxes.

• Using the wrong size box for each item can also lead to damage and inefficiency.

• Overloading heavy boxes can lead to injury, ripped box handles, and crushing. Be careful to balance weight and space.

Final Thoughts and Considerations

Determining just how many moving boxes you need is crucial to saving time and hassle. Moving your house is a lot of work, and the more items you have, the harder it is to do. These tips will make your life easier. If packing seems daunting or you're on a tight timeline, consider hiring a moving company. Many, like 3 Men Movers, have dedicated packing crews that can bring the supplies with them, pack your house, and check off one more task from an already long list that comes with moving.