The Complete Packing Supplies Guide: What You Need and How Much to Buy

One of the most common moving day disasters is running out of packing supplies. You're halfway through the kitchen, you have two days until move day, and suddenly you're short on boxes and out of tape. The solution is simple: know exactly what you need before you buy.

This guide covers every packing supply you'll need for a residential move, explains when and why to use each one, and provides quantity estimates by home size. Whether you're moving from a studio in Silver Lake or a five-bedroom home in Pacific Palisades, this guide gives you a concrete shopping list.

The Essential Packing Supplies

Moving Boxes

Boxes come in standard sizes. Here's what each size is best for:

• Small (1.5 cubic feet): Heavy items — books, tools, canned goods, files. These boxes max out at about 25–30 pounds when packed correctly.
• Medium (3.0 cubic feet): The workhorse of any move. Use for kitchenware, toys, décor, electronics, linens, and most household items.
• Large (4.5–6.0 cubic feet): Light, bulky items only — pillows, lampshades, stuffed animals, light bedding, throw pillows.
• Extra-large (6.0+ cubic feet): Very bulky, very light items. Use sparingly — these boxes are easy to overfill and become impossible to lift.

Specialty boxes serve specific purposes:

• Dish-pack / dish barrel boxes: Double-walled, 5–6 cubic feet, designed for dishes and glassware. Required for any kitchen with breakable items.
• Wardrobe boxes: Tall boxes with a hanging rod. One box holds 20–25 hanging garments.
• Mirror/picture boxes: Two-piece telescoping boxes sized for framed art and mirrors.
• Mattress boxes/bags: Sized to fit twin, full, queen, and king mattresses.
• TV boxes: Foam-lined boxes designed specifically for flat-screen televisions.

Tape and Dispensers

Use 2–3 inch wide polypropylene packing tape from a reputable brand. A tape dispenser is non-negotiable — hand-tearing tape is slow and produces uneven seals.

How much tape: Plan on one roll per 8–10 boxes as a general estimate. Buy extra — tape is cheap and running out is costly.

Packing Paper

Unprinted newsprint packing paper is the standard for wrapping dishes, glassware, decorative items, and filling box voids. It's inexpensive, clean (no ink transfer), and versatile.

Sold by weight: Typically in 10-pound and 25-pound bundles. A 10-pound bundle contains approximately 170 sheets.

Bubble Wrap

Use bubble wrap for truly fragile items where paper alone isn't enough: electronics, fine art, mirrors, ceramic figurines, and any item with protruding parts.

Small bubble (3/16"): Best for wrapping individual fragile items. Large bubble (1/2"): Best for cushioning the bottom and sides of boxes containing delicate pieces.

Stretch Wrap / Plastic Wrap

Industrial stretch wrap (2–3 inch wide rolls) secures drawers shut, bundles items together, and protects furniture surfaces from scuffs. It's also useful for wrapping cable bundles on the back of electronics setups.

Permanent Markers

Buy several — they get lost constantly. Use thick-tipped markers for box labels and thinner tips for labeling individual cables and small bags.

Foam Pouches and Padding

Pre-made foam pouches come in various sizes and are faster to use than wrapping paper for medium-fragile items like glasses and stemware. Worth having on hand for a quicker kitchen pack.

Mattress Bags

A plastic mattress bag ($10–$25) protects your mattress from dirt, moisture, and contact during transport. Never move a mattress without one.

Quantity Guide by Home Size

Use this table as a baseline. Homes with extensive kitchens, large art collections, or significant book libraries will need more.

| Supply | Studio / 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 5BR+ | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Small boxes | 10 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 40+ | | Medium boxes | 15 | 25 | 35 | 50 | 65+ | | Large boxes | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 30+ | | Dish-pack boxes | 3–5 | 5–8 | 8–12 | 12–16 | 16+ | | Wardrobe boxes | 2–3 | 3–5 | 5–8 | 8–12 | 12+ | | Mirror boxes | 1–2 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 6–10 | 10+ | | Mattress bags | 1 | 1–2 | 2–3 | 3–4 | 4+ | | Packing paper (lbs) | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50+ | | Bubble wrap (ft) | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 150+ | | Tape rolls | 5 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20+ | | Stretch wrap rolls | 1–2 | 2–3 | 3–4 | 4–5 | 5+ | | Permanent markers | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |

These quantities assume moderate home furnishing. Add 20–30% for heavily furnished homes or large kitchens.

Where to Buy Packing Supplies

Home Improvement Stores (Home Depot, Lowe's)

Both carry a solid selection of moving boxes and tape. Prices are competitive and quantities are generally available. The downside: specialty boxes (dish-pack, wardrobe, TV) may have limited stock at smaller locations.

Moving Companies

Many moving companies, including LuxeMove, sell packing supplies directly or include them in full-service packing packages. Buying from your mover is convenient and ensures you have access to specialty boxes.

U-Haul and Moving Truck Rental Companies

U-Haul locations carry one of the widest selections of moving boxes and specialty containers in the country. They're particularly well-stocked for dish packs, wardrobe boxes, and mirror boxes.

Online (Amazon, Uline, BoxGenie)

Ordering online gives you access to bulk pricing and the widest selection, but requires advance planning — allow several days for delivery. Uline is the professional standard for moving and shipping supplies.

Free Options

Before you spend on new boxes, explore free sources: Buy Nothing groups on Facebook, grocery and liquor stores (ask at the service desk), bookstores, and neighbors who recently moved. Free boxes can cover a significant portion of your needs, though they may not include specialty boxes.

What Professional Movers Use

At LuxeMove, our packing teams use premium supplies that aren't always available at retail stores: reinforced dish-pack boxes, professional-grade stretch wrap, custom crating materials for artwork and antiques, and high-density foam for specialty electronics.

When you book full-service packing with LuxeMove, all supplies are included — you don't need to source or estimate anything. Our team brings exactly what's needed for your home, calculated after a pre-move assessment.

Building Your Shopping List

Use the quantity table above as your starting point, then adjust based on:

• Number of rooms
• Kitchen size and contents
• Number of framed art pieces and mirrors
• Number of mattresses
• Size of wardrobe and closets
• Books, tools, and other heavy items

Add your quantities to a simple checklist, and cross items off as you buy them. Having everything on hand before you start packing is worth the upfront investment — running out mid-pack is expensive in both time and stress.

If you'd prefer to let the professionals handle supply estimation and packing, contact LuxeMove for a free consultation and packing quote.