Room-by-Room Packing Guide: Tips from Professional Movers
Kitchen, bedroom, garage, and everything in between — done right
Packing is where most moves go wrong. Boxes get overfilled. Fragile items get buried without padding. Labels are vague — “kitchen stuff” does not help anyone on unloading day. These mistakes cost time, cause damage, and add stress to an already busy week.
LiteMovers has been packing homes across Chester County, Montgomery County, and the Main Line since 2007. This guide shares exactly what our professional crews do — room by room. Use it to pack smarter and arrive at your new home with everything intact.
LiteMovers offers full and partial packing services across the Philadelphia suburbs. Call (610) 755-5535. PA PUC License A-8916211 | USDOT 2173383.
Packing Supplies You Need Before You Start
Do not start packing until you have all the right supplies. Running out mid-room leads to bad decisions like overfilling boxes or skipping padding.
- ✓ Small boxes (1.5 cu ft) — books, canned goods, tools, heavy items
- ✓ Medium boxes (3 cu ft) — kitchen items, toys, small appliances
- ✓ Large boxes (4.5 cu ft) — pillows, linens, lamp shades, bulky light items
- ✓ Wardrobe boxes — hanging clothes, coats, dresses, suits
- ✓ Dish pack boxes (double-walled) — china, glassware, fragile kitchen items
- ✓ Mirror and art boxes — framed pictures, mirrors, flat-screen TVs
- ✓ Packing paper — wrapping dishes, glassware, and fragile decor
- ✓ Bubble wrap — extra protection for fragile and valuable items
- ✓ Heavy duty packing tape and dispenser — two-inch wide minimum
- ✓ Permanent markers — label every box clearly on multiple sides
The Kitchen: Most Important Room to Pack Right
The kitchen has the most fragile items, the most variety, and the most potential for damage. Give yourself at least three to four hours for an average kitchen.
Dishes and China
Wrap each plate individually with packing paper. Stand plates on edge in the box — never flat. Plates packed flat break far more easily. Use cell-divided boxes for glasses and wrap each glass individually. Fill every gap with crumpled paper so nothing shifts during transport.
Use dish pack boxes for your china and fine glassware. These double-walled boxes are worth the extra cost. Label them FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP on every side.
Pots, Pans, and Heavy Items
Pack heavy items in small boxes only. A large box of cast iron cookware can reach 60 pounds — a safety hazard for your crew. Nest smaller pots inside larger ones and fill interior space with crumpled paper.
Wrap lids separately and tape them to their corresponding pot with labels so they reunite easily in your new kitchen.
Small Appliances
Original boxes are ideal for small appliances like blenders and toasters. If you have them, use them. Otherwise wrap appliances in bubble wrap and place in a medium box with crumpled paper on all sides.
Keep cords attached to their appliances or in labeled bags. Missing cords are a common post-move frustration.
What to Pack Last in the Kitchen
Leave out your coffee maker, one pot, a few utensils, and paper plates for the final few days. Pack everything else first and live simply for the last week before your move.
Bedrooms: Work Efficiently
Clothing and Linens
Wardrobe boxes let you move hanging clothes without folding — suits, dresses, and coats arrive wrinkle-free. For folded clothes, use medium boxes filled to the top so boxes do not collapse under weight when stacked.
Pack linens and pillows in large boxes. Bedding also works as padding around fragile items — just note it on the label so your crew knows what is inside.
Furniture and Beds
Disassemble bed frames before move day. Keep all hardware in labeled zip-lock bags taped to the headboard or footboard. Take a photo of the assembled bed before disassembling for a quick reassembly reference.
Wrap dresser mirrors and glass tops with moving blankets or bubble wrap. Drawers can often stay in a dresser if it is lightweight — ask your crew on move day.
Children’s Rooms
Pack toys in medium boxes sorted by type. Let children pack one small box of their most important items to ride in the car on move day. This keeps special things safe and helps kids feel involved in the process.
Label boxes by child’s name in addition to room — this makes unloading and setup faster in the new home.
Living Room and Dining Room
Artwork and Framed Photos
Use picture or mirror boxes for framed art. Tape an X across the glass with painter’s tape before wrapping — it holds fragments together if glass cracks. Wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap. Stand artwork vertically in the truck — never flat.
Many homes across Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, and Chadds Ford have valuable original artwork. Tell LiteMovers about high-value pieces during your estimate so we plan the right protection.
Televisions and Electronics
Flat screen TVs should go back in their original box when possible. Never lay a flat screen TV flat in a truck — it must ride vertically. Wrap in a moving blanket with bubble wrap at the corners.
Photograph the back of your entertainment system before disconnecting any cable. Label each cable with tape. This saves significant frustration when setting up in your new home.
Books
Pack books only in small boxes. A standard small box full of books weighs 40 to 50 pounds — manageable. The same number in a large box becomes dangerous to lift. Pack books spine-down or flat, not standing on end.
Garage and Basement
Tools and Hardware
Pack tools in small boxes and wrap sharp edges in newspaper. Keep a basic tool kit — screwdriver, wrench, hammer — in your essentials bag for reassembling furniture at your new home.
Sort hardware into labeled zip-lock bags. Keep a bag labeled “move day tools” with the essentials you need right away.
Hazardous Materials
Professional movers cannot transport most chemicals — paint, cleaning solvents, propane tanks, gasoline, and pesticides. Use up or dispose of these items before moving day. Chester County hosts hazardous waste drop-off events — visit chesco.org for dates.
Garden equipment should be cleaned and drained of gasoline before transport — a standard requirement for all licensed movers.
Large and Heavy Items
Weight equipment, safes, and large power tools need special planning. Tell LiteMovers about these items during your estimate. We bring the right equipment and crew size to move these safely. Learn what to look for in a moving company for specialty item moves.
Packing Older Homes on the Main Line
Homes in Wayne, Berwyn, Ardmore, and Media often need extra care during packing and loading.
Antique furniture: Valuable antique pieces need extra padding, custom wrapping, and careful truck placement. Tell us about these pieces when you book so we plan accordingly.
Narrow doorways and stairs: Historic homes in West Chester Borough and older Chester County neighborhoods often have tighter doorways and steeper staircases. Our crews survey access before loading to plan the safest path for each piece.
We serve Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, and all communities across the Main Line. Also see our packing, moving and storage services page.
Packing FAQs
What is the best way to pack a kitchen for a move?
Pack kitchen items in small and medium boxes. Heavy pots go in small boxes only. Wrap each plate individually and stand them on edge — never flat. Use cell-divided boxes for glasses. Use dish packs for china and fine glassware. LiteMovers offers professional kitchen packing as part of our full and partial packing services across Chester County and the Main Line.
How do I pack artwork and mirrors safely for a move?
Use specialty mirror boxes or wrap in multiple layers of bubble wrap. Tape an X across mirror glass with painter’s tape before wrapping. Stand artwork and mirrors vertically in the truck — never flat. Large original artwork may need custom crating. LiteMovers handles specialty packing for artwork, antiques, and mirrors across the Philadelphia suburbs.
Should I disassemble furniture before the movers arrive?
Yes — disassemble what you can before moving day. Bed frames, desks, and large shelving units move much more efficiently when broken down. Keep hardware in labeled zip-lock bags taped to the piece. LiteMovers crews can also help disassemble on move day — just let us know in advance so we plan the time.
What should I pack last when moving?
Pack your essentials last and keep them in your car — not on the truck. This includes medications, phone chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, snacks, and basic kitchen items. You will want these the first night in your new home before you unpack everything else.
How many boxes do I need for a three-bedroom home?
A three-bedroom home typically needs 60 to 80 boxes — a mix of small, medium, large, wardrobe, and dish pack boxes. The exact number depends on how much you own and how much you donate before the move. LiteMovers can help you estimate during your consultation, and we offer packing services if you want professional help from the start.
Let LiteMovers Pack for You
Full and partial packing services across Chester County, Montgomery County, and the Main Line. Licensed and trusted since 2007.
Call (610) 755-5535 or 1-877-798-8989
PA PUC License A-8916211 | USDOT 2173383 | 687 West Lancaster Ave, Wayne PA 19087
