When moving to a new home, you’ll need to prepare thoroughly — at least if you want to ensure a stress-free move. Sure, you can hire movers to handle the packing and heavy lifting. But that doesn’t mean you won’t need some supplies on moving day.

However you choose to move, you must pick up some essential packing supplies. These are crucial for ensuring your stuff arrives safely and without much fuss at your new home. With that in mind, we’ve prepared a guide to your most important packing materials. Let’s dive in.

Packing your Belongings: The Essential Guide to Supplies and Techniques

When preparing for a move, packing your furniture requires careful planning and the right materials to arrive safely at your new home. Start by gathering a comprehensive list of essential packing supplies:

● Bubble wrap and stretch wrap are used to protect delicate surfaces.

● Sturdy corrugated cardboard sheets to shield corners and flat surfaces.

● Furniture blankets to cushion large items like tables, chairs, and sofas.

● Mattress covers to keep beds clean and secure.

● Packing tape to seal wraps and reinforce boxes.

● Used blankets and towels for added padding in tight spaces.

Disassembling and Packing Tips

Begin by completely disassembling any furniture that can be taken apart. Remove legs from tables, detach headboards, and separate modular components. Place small screws and hardware in labeled bags to avoid losing them during the move. Wrap each piece individually using stretch wrap and secure it with tape. For added safety, layer some bubble wrap over delicate or vulnerable areas, such as glass tabletops or wooden corners.

The Role of Boxes and Additional Materials

While furniture requires specialized packing, sturdy boxes are essential for smaller items and accessories. Opt for high-quality cardboard or plastic boxes—renting plastic bins is a great option for short-term use. Estimate the quantity and sizes of boxes you’ll need, and always have a few extras; most people underestimate how much they own.

Finally, reinforce every box with durable packing tape. Don’t compromise on quality for long-distance moves—invest in tape that will hold up under pressure. Use plastic wrap, packing paper, and bubble cushioning to safeguard fragile items and ensure everything stays secure during transit.

Secondary Moving Items

In addition to the essential packing supplies we listed above, you could purchase a wide range of other items to make your move easier.

First, a pro tip is that plastic sandwich bags are a great addition to your packing list. You can use them to safely pack smaller things that are easy to lose — like jewelry or special screws for furniture.

If you don’t already have any markers in your household, you should also get some to make unpacking easier after the move. Use them to label boxes before the move, and unpacking will be far faster. You’ll know which stuff is in which box and won’t get sidetracked by unpacking random items first.

You can also label your stuff according to the room it belongs to, allowing you to unpack room by room once you’ve moved quickly.

Next, you’ll need a box cutter or scissors. You’ll likely need to cut your packing materials at some point, and this will make unpacking easier.

Make sure to get some cleaning supplies as well. You’ll need them to properly clean the old house before the relocation and keep your new home clean on a moving day.

Essential Packing Supplies for a Stress-Free Move: Essentials For After The Move

Most of the items we’ve mentioned are needed for the packing process. However, you’ll need plenty of things for moving day and its immediate aftermath.

For starters, make sure you have a fresh change of clothes. If you’re moving with your family, bring one for everyone. That ensures everyone can change once you arrive at your new home and before you begin unpacking. Remember, most of your regular clothes will be packed with the rest of your belongings, and you won’t be able to access them for a while.

The same goes for towels—you may need a hand towel for a last-minute trip to the bathroom before you leave. You may also pack a few fragile items that need extra cushioning, and a towel is a great improvised solution if you run out of protective materials.

Next, pack some snacks. If you’re going to do the heavy lifting yourself, consider getting a few protein bars to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Plus, you’ll need a few bottles of water for the trip.

Also, get a spare charger — for your phone, laptop, and any other electronic devices you might need. Depending on how much space you’ve left in your car, consider packing your toolbox here as well. If you want to assemble furniture from the moment you arrive at your new home, the toolbox will come in handy and save you 30 minutes of rummaging through boxes.

Personal Items

Bring a bag of toiletries to ensure you’re prepared for personal hygiene needs on a moving day. You don’t need to pack anything fancy; you just need what you use daily, such as hand sanitizer, deodorant, and a toothbrush.

Also, as unglamorous as it sounds — bring some toilet paper. You may not think you need it right now, but it’s one of those things that may be necessary on any car trip. And when you don’t have it, you really, really miss it.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, you might need plenty of essential packing supplies for a stress-free relocation. And “stress-free” is the operative word here — of course, you can relocate with far less preparation as well.

However, you may find that many unforeseen things can happen on a moving day. To ensure you can deal with any issue, you need to know where your things are, pack and label them properly, and bring a few essentials with you for the road. Organizing your move like that will be as easy and simple as a family road trip.