Home & DIY · Moving House
What to gather before moving day so packing, lifting and the first night all go smoothly.
Moving is not difficult so much as relentless, and almost every delay traces back to running out of something: boxes, tape, bags, or patience. Buying slightly more than you think you need is cheaper than a second trip mid-move.
The list is ordered the way a move actually happens — pack, lift, then arrive. The first-night box at the end is the one item most people wish they had prepared.
Gather these a week ahead, not the night before.
Mismatched boxes waste space and collapse under books. Consistent, sturdy boxes stack safely and load a van in half the time.
Why you need it. Mismatched boxes waste space and collapse under books. Consistent, sturdy boxes stack safely and load a van in half the time.
What to look for. Double-walled boxes in two sizes: small for books and heavy items, medium for everything else. Get more than you think you need.
Boxes are only as strong as their base, and taping dozens of them by hand is the fastest way to lose an evening.
Why you need it. Boxes are only as strong as their base, and taping dozens of them by hand is the fastest way to lose an evening.
What to look for. Wide, strong tape plus a proper handheld dispenser. Buy several rolls — running out mid-pack always happens.
Glass, screens and ceramics break in transit from movement inside a box, not from the journey itself.
Why you need it. Glass, screens and ceramics break in transit from movement inside a box, not from the journey itself.
What to look for. Bubble wrap or paper for fragile items, plus soft items like towels used deliberately as padding.
Labelled boxes are what make unpacking bearable. Unlabelled boxes are what make you open fourteen of them looking for the kettle.
Why you need it. Labelled boxes are what make unpacking bearable. Unlabelled boxes are what make you open fourteen of them looking for the kettle.
What to look for. A thick marker and a simple system: room name plus one line of contents. Mark fragile boxes on all sides.
Moving generates a surprising volume of packaging, and bags double as clothes carriers and soft padding.
Why you need it. Moving generates a surprising volume of packaging, and bags double as clothes carriers and soft padding.
What to look for. Heavy-duty bags in two sizes. Keep a roll in the car so nothing gets left behind in the old place.
Furniture has to come apart, and it has to be carried.
Flat-pack furniture has to come apart to fit through doors, and something always needs tightening on the first night.
Why you need it. Flat-pack furniture has to come apart to fit through doors, and something always needs tightening on the first night.
What to look for. Screwdrivers, an adjustable spanner, an Allen key set and a tape measure. Keep it out of the van and in the car with you.
Opening dozens of taped boxes with keys or scissors is slow and ruins whatever is just inside the lid.
Why you need it. Opening dozens of taped boxes with keys or scissors is slow and ruins whatever is just inside the lid.
What to look for. A retractable blade with a shallow depth setting so you cut tape rather than contents.
Most moving injuries and most floor damage come from dragging heavy things badly.
Why you need it. Most moving injuries and most floor damage come from dragging heavy things badly.
What to look for. Sliders sized for your furniture feet, plus lifting straps for two people. Check whether floors need protecting first.
The things you need before anything is unpacked.
You usually need to clean the place you are leaving and the place you are arriving at, often on the same day.
Why you need it. You usually need to clean the place you are leaving and the place you are arriving at, often on the same day.
What to look for. A multi-surface spray, cloths, a mop and a bucket kept accessible rather than packed deep in the van.
On the first evening you will not want to open twenty boxes to find a phone charger, toilet paper and a mug.
Why you need it. On the first evening you will not want to open twenty boxes to find a phone charger, toilet paper and a mug.
What to look for. One clearly marked box: bedding, toiletries, toilet paper, chargers, kettle, mugs, tea, a change of clothes and any medication.
