9 Moving Packing Essentials and Tips, Per an Expert

When I decided it was time to evacuate my apartment on the Upper East Side and find a new location in New York City to call home, I was struck by the excitement and accompanying anxiety I’ve become familiar with after several relocations in the city. But being the planner that I am, I was also determined to make this move and packing as easy as possible. So, in preparation for the big day, I spoke with the chief marketing officer of Piece of Cake Moving, Najah Ayoub, to glean her best tips for moving, from the gear I should be prepared with to the steps I should take to make the day go off without a hitch.

No matter where you’re moving, or how far, below are nine Amazon products you’ll want to stock up on to make the packing process a breeze. As an added bonus, keep reading to discover handy tips to help you avoid making classic mistakes (like not hiring movers). 

Packing and Moving Essentials

Moving Boxes Kit

I know, I know. It’s really no surprise that a good set of boxes is at the top of the list when preparing to move, but snagging a kit with multiple sizes will make it especially easy to pack up your belongings in a way that will make the day go smoother for your movers (and yourself). To add to the convenience, Ayoub suggests using “obvious, big color-coded labels for each room” on your boxes to save time when movers put them into your new home. She also suggests packing “a “first-day essentials” box or bag so you can easily settle in, as well as an inventory list of each box so you can keep track of what’s inside. This best-selling set from Amazon comes with 10 extra-large boxes complete with easy-to-carry handles — and it’s just $47.

Kitchen Moving Boxes

Moving delicate glassware is tedious, so Ayoub recommends stocking up on dedicated kitchen moving boxes to keep your fragile items from breaking in transit. This “Amazon’s Choice” kit comes with four boxes with dividers for your glassware and stemware, keeping them firmly in place whether you’re trusting movers or doing the entire job yourself. The set even comes with packing paper to further insulate your kitchen essentials, as well as a roll of tape and a marker so you can neatly label your boxes, per Ayoub’s suggestion. 

Extra Large Moving Bags 

Not everything in your home or apartment will need to be packed away in bulky boxes. For those items, Ayoub recommends using large moving bags which can be repurposed for use in your day to day life after the move. She notes that “extra-large reusable moving bags are great and durable for moving clothing and soft items,” so if you’re unsure how to pack up the piles of clothes filling your dresser drawers, this is your best bet. 

This top-rated set comes with six large, heavy-duty 24 gallon bags. They’re made from a durable fabric and have thick straps that are easy to carry. Best of all, these bags are fitted with handy tag pockets; label them clearly to assist your future self while unpacking.

Wardrobe Moving Boxes

Instead of removing every item of clothing from hangers and neatly folding them into boxes or bags, Ayoub instead suggests turning to clothing boxes ahead of your next move. She shares that “wardrobe boxes make packing and unpacking closets almost effortless,” and this trio of boxes will be a dream for both you and your movers. They’re ideal for more formal wear, as well as work clothes that you don’t want to think about ironing before wearing them again, plus they significantly cut down on your packing time. They come with a bar fitted inside that you can hang your clothing on, so you won’t have to worry about your delicate dresses and nicely pressed pants getting wrinkled.

Heavy-duty Packaging Tape

You’d be surprised by how much packing tape you may run through during a move, so it’s smart to grab a six-pack of clear tape in preparation for the day — especially when it’s available for only $13 at Amazon. This durable acrylic tape will keep your boxes firmly shut throughout the duration of your move, even if you’re traveling long distances. The accompanying dispenser easily slices through tape to create clean lines without fuss, and a high volume of positive shopper ratings have earned this tape an impressive 4.3-star rating.

Packing Paper

Packing paper is a major asset for padding your delicate kitchen items, artwork, and more from the bumps and bruises of moving. Now on sale for $37, this hefty set will help protect your items from breaking, in turn making the packing process more secure. If you’re embarking on a long-distance move, Ayoub suggests packing your valuables with “extra care since they’ll be handled and in transit longer.”

Mattress Bag

Ayoub notes that a “durable mattress cover will keep your bed fresh and clean from any moving dust.” At just $11, this bag is large enough to hold a mattress up to 10-inches high, protecting its surface from dirt, rain, or anything else it may come in contact with during a move. Since no dirt or grime will get into it during the moving process, you can quickly make up your bed and spend the night in your new home peacefully.

Vacuum Storage Bags

When packing up clothing and bedding, you’ll want to do so in a way that takes up minimal space and keeps them clean. Ayoub recommends using vacuum-sealed bags since they can “help save space on linens and bedding, and can be reused for storing your seasonal wardrobe items.” This set of 10 jumbo bags is only $22 at Amazon, and the brand even claims that each bag can save up to 80 percent of storage space, which is invaluable if you’re moving into a compact New York City studio apartment, as I just did.

Big Checked Bag

Sure; boxes may be the primary method for moving your belongings, but having a roomy checked bag on deck is another great way to pack up your apartment and easily transport items to your next destination. This best-selling rolling bag from SwissGear is fitted with several convenient exterior and interior pockets, and right now it’s even on sale for just $80. Your movers will be thrilled with the easy-carry side and top handles, as well as the lightweight design.

Still feeling stressed about your move? Read on to find more brilliant tips from Ayoub that are sure to put your mind at ease.

More Helpful Moving Tips

Book Your Move Ahead of Time

Procrastinators won’t be thrilled to hear it, but you’ll want to book your move as far in advance as possible. Give yourself time to ensure everything is settled on the moving company’s end — from securing a certificate of insurance for your new building to figuring out parking. Ayoub specifies that you’ll want to have your local mover booked at least two weeks in advance of your move date. For long-distance and out-of-state moves, book them at least a month before your move date.

Pare Down Your Belongings

Moving is the ideal time to cut through any clutter and eliminate things you no longer use regularly. This will save you money on boxes and make it easier to find room for everything once you’re in your new space. Ayoub also recommends packing “a ‘first-day essentials bag so you can easily settle in.”

Don’t Wait to Start Packing

As with booking your move, you’ll also want to start on the earlier side with the packing process. Even if you’ve cut down on belongings, there’s still a good chance that the whole process will take longer than anticipated. Ayoub notes that “a small studio or one bedroom apartment can take a week, and a two-plus bedroom home can take two to three weeks depending on your items.” 

Be Tactical With Your Packing

Just because you can pack a box to the brim doesn’t mean you should — and your movers will likely be happy you didn’t. Ayoub explains that “overloading boxes is another mistake often made when packing,” as well as “packing items together that could damage the other item in transit.” Keep your belongings safe and protected by spreading out the weight across your boxes. You’ll even find it’s easier to unpack if you neatly label your containers according to what room they belong in. 

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