The Ultimate Room-by-Room Packing Guide for Moving House

Packing a house is one of those tasks that feels manageable until you’re standing in the kitchen surrounded by a decade of accumulated cookware with two days until the truck arrives. The people who get through it without too much drama are usually the ones who treated it as a project with a plan, not something to tackle all at once in the final week.

This guide takes you through each room in order, with practical advice on what to prioritise, what to protect, and what to set aside for moving day.

A consistent labelling system will save you significant time at the other end. Before you pack a single box, decide how you are going to label: by room, by person, by priority, or a combination. Whatever you choose, stick to it throughout.

Write the destination room on the top and at least one side of every box. Boxes stacked in a truck or a hallway are read from the side, not the top.

• Boxes in a range of sizes; small boxes for heavy items like books, larger ones for lighter bulky items like linen

• Packing tape and a dispenser

• Bubble wrap and packing paper for fragile items

• Markers in at least two colours; one for the room label, one for fragile or priority notes

• Ziplock bags for screws, bolts, and small hardware removed from furniture

• Wardrobe boxes if you are moving hanging clothing

The kitchen is almost always the most time-consuming room to pack, and the one most people underestimate. Our advice is to start here earlier than you think you need to.

Begin with the things you use least: entertaining pieces, specialty appliances, seasonal items, and anything stored at the back of cupboards. Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap and pack them snugly so they cannot shift in the box. Label these boxes fragile on every side.

• Glassware, wine glasses, and delicate crockery

• Serving platters, cake stands, and entertaining pieces

• Specialty appliances used infrequently; bread makers, slow cookers, juicers

• Cookbooks and kitchen decorations

• Pantry items that are sealed and non-perishable

Pack pantry items in small, sturdy boxes. Tins and jars add up in weight quickly.

Leave out what you need to keep the household functioning in the final days before the move.

• Everyday plates, mugs, and cutlery; pack these the night before

• A kettle, one pot, and basic cooking equipment

• Dish soap, sponge, and a small amount of cleaning supplies

• Perishable food; plan meals around clearing the fridge and freezer in the week before moving day

Living areas tend to have a mix of everyday items, plus things that have not moved in years. Sort before you pack; anything you’re not taking to the new home should leave now, not after the move.

• Wrap artwork and framed pictures individually in packing paper and stand them upright in boxes, never flat

• Disassemble flat-pack furniture and keep all screws and fittings in a labelled ziplock bag taped to the relevant piece

• Pack books in small boxes and fill gaps with packing paper to prevent shifting

• Wrap decorative items and ornaments individually and pack them with padding on all sides

• Roll rugs and secure with tape or twine; label with the destination room

• Cushions and soft furnishings can be packed in large bags or used as padding around fragile items in boxes

For televisions and large electronics, use the original packaging where possible. If you no longer have it, Allied's packing service includes appropriate protection for large and fragile items.

Wardrobe boxes allow hanging clothes to be transferred directly without folding, which saves time at both ends. If you are not using wardrobe boxes, pack hanging items in manageable bundles secured with a rubber band through the hangers, then laid flat in a large box or wrapped in a bag.

• Pack off-season clothing first

• Fold and box everyday clothing in the final few days

• Keep one outfit per person accessible for moving day and the day after

• Pack shoes individually or in pairs wrapped in packing paper to prevent scuffing

• Remove drawers from dressers and chests before the move if possible. This makes them significantly lighter and easier to manoeuvre

• Wrap bed frames and headboards in moving blankets or bubble wrap to protect corners and surfaces

• Keep bed linen accessible; you’ll want to make beds at the new house without searching through boxes

Bathrooms are quick to pack but easy to leave in a mess.

• Decant or seal liquid products carefully. Place bottles in ziplock bags before packing to contain any leakage in transit

• Pack medicines and first aid items separately and keep them accessible

• Dispose of old or expired products before the move rather than transporting them

• Pack towels last; they’re useful as padding for fragile items, and you’ll need them on arrival

• Laundry appliances should be disconnected and dried out before moving day. Check your dryer's lint filter and your washing machine's hoses

A home office requires more care than most rooms because of the value and sensitivity of what is in it.

• Back up all important files and documents before the move, both digitally and in hard copy where relevant

• Pack electronics in their original packaging where possible, or wrap carefully in bubble wrap with padding on all sides

• Label cables clearly before disconnecting them. A piece of tape with the device name written on it saves significant frustration when reconnecting at the other end

• Pack documents and files in clearly labelled boxes and consider keeping important paperwork with you rather than in the moving truck

• Disassemble flat-pack desks and shelving and keep all hardware in labelled ziplock bags

• Drain fuel from lawnmowers, generators, and power tools before the move. Most movers will not transport items containing fuel

• Dispose of hazardous materials (paints, solvents, chemicals) responsibly before moving day. These cannot be transported in a moving truck

• Disassemble outdoor furniture and store bolts and fittings in labelled bags

• Clean and dry garden tools before packing

• Check with your mover about large items like ride-on mowers, trampolines, and play equipment; these may require specialist disassembly or handling

Pack one box or bag per person (or one household essentials box) that travels with you rather than on the truck. This is what you will need before everything else is unpacked.

• Phone chargers and any essential electronics

• Medications

• A change of clothes and toiletries for at least one night

• Snacks and drinks for moving day

• Basic cleaning supplies for wiping down surfaces at the new home before furniture arrives

• Toilet paper

• Any important documents: lease agreements, identification, insurance paperwork

• Keys to the new property

• Children's comfort items if relevant

Packing a full household properly takes a lot longer than most people expect. If you are working full time, managing children, or simply short on time in the lead-up to a move, professional packing is worth considering.

Allied's packing service covers everything from full household packing to partial packing for specific rooms or fragile items. Our team brings all the materials, packs to a standard that protects your belongings in transit, and can work around your schedule in the days before the move. Your Personal Moving Consultant can talk through the options and build it into your moving plan.

Get in touch with your local Allied team today for a free, no-obligation quote.