How to Pack for a Philadelphia Move: Room-by-Room Guide
Smart packing protects your belongings and makes unpacking faster at your new home.
Packing is the part of moving most people dread. But it does not have to be painful. With the right plan, you can pack an entire home without the last-minute panic. This guide covers every room — from the kitchen to the garage — with tips built for Philadelphia area homes from Havertown rowhouses to Chester County farmhouses to Rittenhouse Square condos.
LiteMovers has packed thousands of homes across Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties since 2007. We offer full and partial packing services if you want professional help. Or use this guide and do it yourself.
Packing Supplies You Need
Small Boxes
Books, canned goods, tools
Medium Boxes
Dishes, pots, small appliances
Large Boxes
Linens, pillows, light items
Wardrobe Boxes
Hanging clothes — no folding
Dish Packs
Reinforced boxes for fragile dishes
Packing Paper
Wrap dishes and fill gaps
Bubble Wrap
Extra protection for valuables
Packing Tape
Get at least 6 rolls
Kitchen — Start Here, But Finish Last
The kitchen takes the longest and gets used until the very end. Begin with rarely used items and save daily dishes for moving week.
- Pack small appliances you rarely use — bread makers, waffle irons, specialty gadgets
- Wrap each dish individually in packing paper — never stack without wrapping
- Use dish pack boxes for plates, bowls, and glasses
- Nest pots and pans with paper between each one
- Wrap knives in paper and bundle with rubber bands — never leave blades exposed
- Use towels and dish cloths as padding — two jobs done at once
- Label boxes “FRAGILE – KITCHEN” and mark which side goes up
- Do not pack cleaning chemicals — dispose or plan to transport them yourself
Living Room and Dining Room
Art, lamps, and electronics need careful attention. Do not rush this room.
- Photograph how your electronics are connected before unplugging anything
- Coil cables and tape them to the device they belong to — label each one
- Wrap flat screen TVs in moving blankets — your mover supplies these
- Pack framed photos with bubble wrap on the glass surface
- Mirror boxes are available through LiteMovers for large mirrors and artwork
- Disassemble dining room tables and wrap table legs in blankets
- Pack books spine-down in small boxes — never in large boxes on their sides
- Pack lamp shades separately from the lamp base
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are usually the easiest rooms. Start with the guest room and move to the master bedroom last.
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes — no need to remove from hangers
- Remove drawers from dressers and pack contents directly into boxes
- Use linens, blankets, and pillows to wrap furniture and fill boxes
- Pack mattresses in mattress bags to keep them clean in the truck
- Disassemble bed frames and tape all hardware in a labeled bag to the frame
- Label boxes by bedroom: “Master Bedroom,” “Guest Room,” “Kids Room 1”
- Keep jewelry, passports, and valuables with you — never in moving boxes
Bathrooms
Bathrooms pack quickly. Leave only what you need for the last few days before your move.
- Discard anything expired — medications, old cosmetics, half-used products
- Pack toiletries in zip-lock bags in case anything leaks in transit
- Do not pack medications with regular household goods — keep them in your bag
- Leave one bathroom’s worth of essentials out until moving day morning
Home Office
Home offices are high-value and need careful packing. Professional packing is worth considering for this room.
- Back up your computer and external drives before packing anything
- Pack desktop computers in original boxes if possible
- Wrap monitors in bubble wrap and pack in padded boxes
- Shred or securely pack sensitive documents — do not leave financial records loose
- Label file boxes clearly — you will thank yourself when unpacking
Garage and Basement
These areas always take longer than expected. Plan two full evenings for a typical Chester County garage and basement.
- Drain gasoline from lawn mowers and power equipment before moving
- Discard paint cans and solvents — Chester County townships have hazardous waste drop-off days
- Wrap power tools carefully — use original cases when available
- Pack holiday decorations in large labeled boxes
- Ask about storage options for items you want to keep but do not need right away
A Labeling System That Works
Most people label boxes wrong. Writing just “kitchen” on a box means nothing when you are staring at 40 boxes on arrival day. Use a better system.
Write the destination room on two sides of every box — not just the top. Movers can read labels even when boxes are stacked. Then add a short contents list: “Kitchen – pots and pans” or “Master Bedroom – winter clothes.” Number each box and keep a quick reference list. If something goes missing, you will know exactly which box to check.
Color coding works well too. Pick a color for each room. Blue tape for kitchen, green for master bedroom, red for office. Movers can place boxes in the right rooms at a glance. This saves a lot of time on arrival day in your new Havertown, Radnor, or Downingtown home.
What to Keep With You on Moving Day
Some items should never go in a moving truck. Keep these in your car or personal bag:
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Passports, birth certificates, and important legal documents
- Jewelry and irreplaceable valuables
- Laptops, tablets, and all phone chargers
- Cash and credit cards
- Keys to both your old and new home
- Snacks and water for moving day
- Pet food, leashes, and carriers
When to Hire Professional Packers
Not everyone wants to pack their own home. Our professional packing services are popular across Chester County, the Main Line, and Delaware County for good reason.
We are fast. A professional packing team can pack a full 3-bedroom home in a single day. That saves most families a week of stressful evenings. We bring all the supplies — no running to the hardware store three times. And professional packing means professional liability. Items packed by LiteMovers are covered under our moving valuation. If we pack it and it breaks, it is on us.
Our packing services are available throughout the five-county Philadelphia area. We offer full packing, partial packing (just the kitchen, for example), and specialty packing for fragile art, mirrors, and antiques common in older Main Line and Chester County homes. Many families in Radnor, Havertown, and Wayne rely on our packing team to handle their entire home while they focus on everything else that comes with a move.
Need Help Packing Your Philadelphia Area Home?
Professional packing across Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties.
Request a Free Packing Quote →
Call: (610) 755-5535 | PA PUC A-8916211 | USDOT 2173383
Frequently Asked Questions About Packing
How many boxes do I need for a 3-bedroom house?
Most 3-bedroom homes in the Philadelphia suburbs need 60 to 100 boxes depending on what you own. Plan for roughly 10 small, 20 medium, 15 large, 4 wardrobe, and several specialty boxes for dishes and mirrors. Get more than you think you need — leftovers are easy to give away.
What is the best way to pack dishes for moving?
Wrap each dish individually in packing paper and place them standing on their edges in a dish pack box — not flat. Standing dishes upright is more shock resistant. Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Fill gaps with crumpled paper so nothing shifts. Label the box FRAGILE and mark which side goes up.
Can I leave clothes in dresser drawers when I move?
For local moves in the Philadelphia suburbs, clothes can often stay in dresser drawers if the dresser is not too heavy to carry safely. For long distance moves or dressers with delicate finish, remove the drawers and pack clothes separately. Ask your LiteMovers crew on moving day — they will tell you what works best.
How do I pack large mirrors and artwork?
Use mirror boxes sized for your piece. Place bubble wrap on the glass surface and tape an X across the glass with masking tape to reinforce it. Pack the mirror with crumpled paper on all sides. Store mirrors standing upright — never flat — in the truck. LiteMovers supplies specialty boxes for mirrors and artwork of any size.
Does LiteMovers provide packing supplies?
Yes. LiteMovers provides all supplies for clients who hire our packing services — boxes, tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, wardrobe boxes, mirror boxes, and mattress bags. We can also supply materials separately if you are doing your own packing. Call (610) 755-5535 to discuss options.
How long does it take to pack a house?
Most people underestimate packing time. A 2-bedroom home takes 3–5 days doing it yourself. A 3-bedroom takes 5–7 days. A large 4–5 bedroom home in Chester County or the Main Line can take 2 full weeks packing evenings after work. LiteMovers professional packers complete the same homes in 1–2 days.
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