07565 772430 Hero image: Neatly packed moving boxes with labels
Your Packing Guide for Moving House
What The Pack?
Your Quick-Reference Packing Guide for Moving House
Moving house is stressful enough without wondering whether your grandmother's china will survive the journey. This guide is your quick-reference companion – the same practical advice our team has given to thousands of families across Bristol since 1978. We have condensed nearly fifty years of professional packing experience into a room-by-room walkthrough covering decluttering, materials, fragile items, electronics, hazardous goods, and a labelling system that makes unpacking dramatically easier. Bookmark it, print it, or keep it open on your phone while you pack.
8 free video lessons · Room-by-room walkthroughs · Printable checklists
Hero image: Neatly packed moving boxes with labels
Recommended: 1280x720 or larger
Decluttering & Preparation
The single best thing you can do for your move is start decluttering six to eight weeks before moving day. Every item you get rid of is one fewer thing to wrap, box, carry, load, unload, and find a home for at the other end. Less stuff means fewer boxes, a smaller van, a quicker move, and a lower bill.
Work through one room at a time. For every item, ask yourself: “Have I used this in the last twelve months?” If the answer is no, it goes into one of three piles: sell, donate, or bin. Be ruthless. That bread maker from 2019, the exercise bike doubling as a clothes horse, the stack of magazines you will definitely read one day – they all add up, and they all cost money to move.
Sell decent items on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. Donate usable clothes, books, and household goods to charity shops – many offer free collection for larger items. Recycle what you can and skip the rest. Bristol City Council offers a bulky waste collection service for furniture and large items that cannot go in your normal bins.
Once you have decluttered, take stock of what remains. This gives you a realistic picture of how many boxes you need, how much packing material to buy, and how long the packing process will take. It is always more than you think – but it is far less daunting when you have already stripped out everything you do not need.
Image: Decluttering before a house move
Packing Materials You’ll Need
Good materials are the foundation of a damage-free move. Here is what to stock up on before you start packing.
Strong Double-Walled Boxes
You need three sizes: small for heavy items like books, medium for general household goods, and large for lightweight bulky things like bedding and cushions. Double-walled corrugated boxes are essential — single-wall ones buckle under weight and collapse in stacks.
Bubble Wrap
Use it for genuinely fragile items: glass ornaments, picture frames, mirrors, and electronics. Buy the large-bubble variety for better cushioning. One 50-metre roll covers a typical 3-bedroom house.
Packing Paper
The workhorse of packing materials. Use it to wrap plates, glasses, ornaments, and anything breakable. Buy proper acid-free packing paper — newspaper leaves ink stains on everything it touches. Budget 5 to 8 kilograms.
Tape Gun & Packing Tape
A tape gun transforms your packing speed — you can seal a box in three seconds instead of wrestling with rolls. Buy 4 to 6 rolls of 48mm brown packing tape. Cheap parcel tape is not strong enough for heavy boxes.
Thick Marker Pens
You need at least two chunky permanent markers in black, plus a set of coloured markers if you are using a colour-coding system (which we strongly recommend). Write large enough to read from across a room.
Wardrobe Boxes
Tall boxes with a built-in hanging rail. Transfer clothes directly from wardrobe to box without folding or creasing. Each box holds roughly one metre of rail. Two to four boxes cover most wardrobes.
Don’t want to source materials yourself? Painless Removals supplies all packing materials as part of our professional packing service – boxes, paper, bubble wrap, tape, and wardrobe cartons delivered to your door. We bring exactly the right quantities based on your home survey, so there is no waste and no last-minute runs to the shop.
Kitchen
- ✓ Wrap plates individually in packing paper and stand them vertically in the box like records — they are far stronger on their edges than stacked flat.
- ✓ Stuff the inside of glasses and mugs with crumpled packing paper before wrapping the outside. This prevents them collapsing under pressure.
- ✓ Keep cleaning chemicals and food in separate boxes. Bleach next to bread is a disaster nobody wants.
- ✓ Use small boxes for crockery and heavy kitchen items. A large box filled with plates is too heavy to lift safely.
- ✓ Pack your kettle, two mugs, tea bags, milk, and a spoon in a clearly labelled "First Brew" box — you will thank yourself at the other end.
Image: Kitchen being packed, plates wrapped in paper
Bedroom
- ✓ Use wardrobe boxes for suits, dresses, and anything that creases easily. Transfer clothes directly on their hangers — no folding required.
- ✓ Vacuum-seal bags are brilliant for duvets, pillows, and spare bedding. They reduce volume by up to 75% and keep everything clean.
- ✓ Disassemble bed frames and keep all bolts, screws, and Allen keys in a labelled ziplock bag taped to the frame.
- ✓ Roll casual clothing and stack it in medium boxes or bin bags. Rolling prevents creases better than folding.
- ✓ Strip beds last on moving day. Stuff duvets into bin bags — they make excellent padding for fragile items on the van.
Image: Wardrobe box with hanging clothes
Living Room
- ✓ For televisions, place two screens face-to-face with a large sheet of cardboard between them. Wrap the pair in a removal blanket or bubble wrap. If you have the original box, even better.
- ✓ Sofa covers or removal blankets protect upholstery from dirt and tears. If you do not have covers, cling film works in a pinch.
- ✓ Remove shelves from bookcases and wrap each shelf individually. Pack books in small boxes — a large box of books is impossibly heavy.
- ✓ Wrap lamp bases and shades separately. Shades are surprisingly fragile and should sit upright in a box with padding around them.
- ✓ Roll up rugs tightly and secure with tape or ties. Stand them vertically against the van wall.
Image: Living room items being wrapped and boxed
Bathroom
- ✓ Seal every bottle with a screw-top lid in a ziplock bag. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash — they all leak under pressure.
- ✓ Pack medicines and prescriptions in a separate, clearly labelled bag and keep them with you, not on the van.
- ✓ Towels make excellent padding. Use them to wrap around fragile bathroom items or stuff them into gaps between boxes.
- ✓ Dispose of old prescriptions, expired medicines, and half-empty bottles before packing. Moving is the perfect excuse to clear out the medicine cabinet.
- ✓ Razors, scissors, and nail clippers should be wrapped and packed with the blades protected — a cardboard sleeve works well.
Image: Bathroom items sealed in ziplock bags
Fragile Items & Valuables
These are the items that cause the most anxiety on moving day. Get the packing right and you can relax.
Mirrors & Picture Frames
Apply strips of masking tape in an X pattern across the glass surface. This will not prevent a crack, but it stops the glass shattering into dangerous shards if it does break. Wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap, then add cardboard corner protectors on all four corners.
For large mirrors, use a specialist mirror box or create a sandwich with two pieces of flat cardboard taped together around the mirror. Always stand mirrors and pictures upright in the van – never lay them flat. A flat mirror under a stack of boxes is a broken mirror.
Artwork & Prints
Framed artwork should be double-boxed wherever possible: wrap the piece in bubble wrap, place it in a snug box, then place that box inside a larger one with crumpled paper filling the gap. The air cushion between the two layers absorbs impacts.
For canvases without glass, wrap in acid-free tissue paper first (to prevent the bubble wrap texture transferring onto the paint surface), then in bubble wrap. Label the box clearly and mark it as fragile on all sides.
China & Porcelain
Every single piece needs individual wrapping. Lay two sheets of packing paper on a flat surface, place the plate or bowl in one corner, and fold the paper over and around it, tucking the corners in as you go. Stack wrapped plates vertically in the box, not flat.
Place a thick pad of crumpled paper on the bottom of the box and between each layer. Fill every gap – nothing in the box should move when you gently shake it. If it rattles, add more paper.
Jewellery & Documents
Do not put these on the van. Jewellery, important documents, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, house deeds, and cash should travel with you personally – in a bag you keep in the car or on your person.
The same applies to anything with irreplaceable sentimental value: family photographs, heirlooms, and keepsakes. No amount of insurance replaces a lost wedding album. Keep them close.
Image: Electronics being carefully packed
Electronics
Modern homes are full of electronics, and they all need careful handling. The golden rule is simple: photograph everything before you unplug it. Take a clear photo of the back of your TV, router, sound system, and computer showing exactly which cable goes where. When you are setting up at the other end, you will be enormously grateful for those photos.
- ✓ Original boxes are ideal. If you kept the box your TV, games console, or monitor came in, use it. The polystyrene inserts are designed to absorb exactly the right amount of impact. If you have already thrown them away, wrap the item in anti-static bubble wrap and surround it with crumpled paper in a sturdy box.
- ✓ Use anti-static wrap for sensitive components. Standard bubble wrap can generate static electricity, which damages circuit boards. Anti-static (pink) bubble wrap is available from most packaging suppliers and is well worth the small extra cost for computers and hard drives.
- ✓ Label every cable. Use masking tape flags or coloured cable ties to tag each cable with where it belongs. Write “TV – HDMI 1” or “Router – Power” directly on the tape. Bundle related cables together with a rubber band or zip tie and keep them in a labelled bag alongside the device they belong to.
- ✓ Remove ink cartridges from printers and seal them in a ziplock bag. Transport printers upright. Hard drives should be backed up before the move – even a well-packed computer can suffer a jolt.
Hazardous Items — What Can’t Go on the Van
By law, removal companies cannot transport certain hazardous materials. These items must be disposed of before moving day or transported in your own vehicle with appropriate care. If in doubt, ask us – we would rather answer a quick question than deal with a safety incident.
Aerosols
Deodorant, hairspray, spray paint, air fresheners. Pressurised cans can explode in a hot van.
Paint & Solvents
Tins of paint, white spirit, turpentine, varnish, and wood stain. Flammable and toxic if spilt.
Gas Bottles & Fuel
BBQ gas cylinders, camping gas, petrol cans, paraffin heaters. Explosion risk in enclosed spaces.
Cleaning Chemicals
Bleach, oven cleaner, drain unblocker, ammonia-based products. Corrosive and hazardous if mixed.
Also avoid packing: fireworks, ammunition, car batteries, weedkiller, and pool chemicals. If you are unsure about a specific item, give us a call on 0117 287 0082 and we will let you know.
The Labelling System That Makes Unpacking Easy
Proper labelling is the difference between a one-day unpack and a three-week rummage through mystery boxes. Spend an extra thirty seconds per box now and save yourself hours later.
Colour-Code by Room
Assign one colour to each room and use coloured stickers, tape, or marker lines on every box. When the van arrives at your new home, your removal team can see at a glance which room each box belongs in – no need to read every label or ask you repeatedly. Stick a matching colour swatch on the door of each room in the new house.
Red
Kitchen
Blue
Master Bedroom
Green
Living Room
Yellow
Bathroom
Purple
Children's Rooms
Orange
Study / Office
Labelling Rules
- 1 Label all four sides and the top. Boxes are stacked in the van and you cannot always see the top. If only one side is labelled, it will inevitably be the one facing the wall.
- 2 Write the destination room, not the origin. “New Kitchen” is more useful than “Old Kitchen” when your movers are carrying boxes into an unfamiliar house.
- 3 Mark fragile boxes clearly. Write “FRAGILE” in large letters on every side and add “THIS WAY UP” with an arrow. Use red marker so it stands out.
- 4 Number every box and keep a master list. A simple spreadsheet or notepad with “Box 1: Kitchen – plates, bowls, mugs” means you can find anything instantly without opening twenty boxes. It also serves as an inventory for insurance purposes.
- 5 Note the priority. Mark boxes you will need first at the new house – the kettle, bed linen, toiletries, phone chargers – with a star or the word “OPEN FIRST” so they go in last on the van and come off first.
"We went for the full packing and removal package when we moved. The whole process was painless from start to finish and the team was exceptionally friendly, efficient, and helpful from start to finish. Would strongly recommend their service to anyone."
Caspian Johnson
·
Verified Trustpilot Review Want the Full Video Course?
This quick-reference guide covers the essentials, but our free 8-lesson video course goes deeper. Watch Jay and the team demonstrate every technique with room-by-room walkthroughs, printable checklists, and professional tips you will not find anywhere else.
START THE FREE COURSERather We Packed for You?
Short on time, energy, or patience? Our professional packing team can pack your entire home in a single day. We bring all the materials, wrap everything with care, and label every box. You do not lift a finger – just point us to the rooms and put the kettle on.
VIEW PACKING SERVICEFrequently Asked Questions
How many boxes do I need for a 3-bedroom house?
What should I pack first?
What shouldn't I pack myself?
Can I use supermarket boxes?
How do I pack a TV for moving?
Ready to Make Your Move Painless?
Whether you are packing yourself or want our team to handle it, the first step is the same — a quick call to discuss your move. We will give you honest advice, an accurate quote, and a plan that takes the stress out of moving day.
0117 287 0082