Moving day supply kit: what to buy, how much, and what to skip
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For a typical 1–2 bedroom move, you need a box kit (or 25–40 mixed boxes), 3–4 rolls of good packing tape and a dispenser, a pack of markers, one roll of bubble wrap, one roll of stretch wrap, a dozen moving blankets if you're moving furniture yourself, furniture sliders, and a mattress bag. Order it about three weeks out, so you can start packing the rooms you use least.
How many boxes?
| Home | Rough box count | Mix |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 15–25 | Mostly small and medium |
| 1 bedroom | 25–40 | Half small (books, kitchen), half medium |
| 2 bedrooms | 40–60 | Add 5–8 large boxes for bedding and lampshades |
| 3 bedrooms | 60–90 | Add wardrobe boxes if you don't want to fold closet clothes |
These are rough starting points. A kitchen-heavy cook or a big book collection pushes you toward the high end. Small boxes are for heavy things and large boxes for light things. A large box of books is how backs get hurt.
Boxes and packing
UBOXES 2-room bigger moving kit (28 boxes, tape and more)
One order gets you matched sizes that stack in the truck, plus tape and some wrap. That's easier than collecting odd store boxes that crush under weight.
UBMOVE 1-room economy moving kit
For a studio, a dorm, or a top-up order if you run short.
Scotch Heavy Duty packing tape
Cheap tape splits and peels off in a hot truck. Plan on about one roll for every 8–10 boxes, and tape the bottom seams twice.
Tip: Get a handheld dispenser too. It's the fastest way to speed up packing.
Sharpie fine-point permanent markers, 12-pack
Write the room and a short contents list on two sides of every box, not the top. Once boxes are stacked, the sides are all you can see.
Duck Brand bubble wrap, 12 in x 175 ft
For glasses, frames and anything with a screen. Wrap plates on their edges, packed vertically like records, so they're less likely to crack.
International Plastics 18-inch stretch wrap with handles
It keeps drawers shut and doors closed on dressers, and bundles curtain rods and broom handles together. It also keeps blankets in place on furniture.
Moving furniture yourself
Sure-Max Pro Economy moving blankets, 12-pack
Rental-truck pads are often dirty or missing. A dozen covers a typical 1–2 bedroom load, and afterward they're good for storage and the garage.
SuperSliders reusable furniture moving kit
Slide heavy pieces across carpet or hard floors instead of dragging them, which saves both the floor and your back.
Forearm Forklift 2-person lifting straps
They move the weight to your shoulders and legs for dressers and mattresses. They work best on flat ground, not stairs.
Nordic Elk queen mattress bag
It keeps the mattress clean in the truck and in storage, and some mattress warranties exclude stains.
Milwaukee Fastback utility knife
For opening boxes at the new place without slicing what's inside. Keep it in the first-night box.
Harper Trucks convertible hand truck
It's worth buying if you move often or have a lot of boxes. It converts to a flat cart. For a one-time move, renting one with the truck is usually cheaper.
The first-night box
Pack one clearly marked box that rides with you, not in the truck: phone chargers, toilet paper, soap and a towel, sheets for one bed, a box cutter, basic tools, medications, snacks and water, a small trash bag, and important documents.
Don't overbuy
Skip specialty dish-pack kits unless you have a lot of fine china, since towels and clothes cushion everyday dishes for free. Skip packing peanuts, which go everywhere. Ask local buy-nothing groups or neighbors who just moved for gently used boxes before you order more.
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Checked November 12, 2026. Product listings change, so check the current listing before you buy. This is a general checklist, not moving or legal advice.