PACKING CHECKLIST
Your Room-by-Room Packing Checklist
Pack one room at a time and always know where everything ended up.
Packing is the biggest job in most moves, and it usually takes longer than people expect. This checklist breaks it down by room so you can work steadily instead of cramming everything into the last weekend. It’s for anyone packing a house or apartment on their own, or packing part of the home while movers handle the rest.
Start with supplies, then move through the rooms you use least and save the kitchen and bathrooms for last. Check off each item as you go and keep the list with your tape gun. At A & M Friendly Movers, we’ve seen how much smoother moving day goes when boxes are sturdy, sealed, and clearly labeled. Our crew can load faster, and you can unpack without hunting for the coffee maker.
Planning the rest of your move? Use our week-by-week moving checklist, our long-distance moving checklist, or our business moving checklist.
Your Room-by-Room Packing Checklist
Supplies to Get
- ☐ Small, medium, and large sturdy moving boxes
- ☐ Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- ☐ Dish pack boxes for plates and glasses
- ☐ Packing tape and a tape gun
- ☐ Plain packing paper and bubble wrap
- ☐ Thick markers and colored labels for each room
- ☐ Stretch wrap and zip-top bags for small parts
- ☐ Order boxes and supplies delivered to your door
Kitchen
- ☐ Pack rarely used appliances and serving dishes first
- ☐ Wrap each plate and glass separately in packing paper
- ☐ Stand plates on edge in the box, not flat
- ☐ Fill empty space so nothing shifts when you lift
- ☐ Tape lids on spices and oils, then bag them
- ☐ Keep heavy items like pots in small boxes
- ☐ Set aside a few dishes and utensils for the last days
- ☐ Toss or give away open food you won’t move
Bedrooms & Closets
- ☐ Move hanging clothes straight into wardrobe boxes
- ☐ Pack out-of-season clothes and extra linens early
- ☐ Use suitcases for folded clothes and shoes
- ☐ Bag bed hardware and tape it to the frame
- ☐ Wrap mirrors and framed art and mark them fragile
- ☐ Keep jewelry and valuables with you, not in boxes
- ☐ Pack a clean set of sheets for the first night
Living Room & Electronics
- ☐ Photograph cords and connections before unplugging
- ☐ Label each cable and bag it with its device
- ☐ Use original boxes for TVs and electronics when you have them
- ☐ Pack books flat in small boxes so they stay liftable
- ☐ Remove lamp shades and bulbs and pack them separately
- ☐ Wrap remotes and game controllers together in one box
- ☐ Leave large furniture to the crew to wrap and pad
Bathrooms & Garage
- ☐ Tape caps shut on toiletries and pack them upright
- ☐ Keep medications with you instead of in a box
- ☐ Toss expired products before you start packing
- ☐ Drain gas and oil from mowers and yard equipment
- ☐ Set aside paint, propane, and chemicals for safe disposal
- ☐ Bundle long-handled tools together with tape
- ☐ Pack small hardware in labeled bags inside a toolbox
Open-First Box
- ☐ Toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels
- ☐ Phone chargers and a power strip
- ☐ Box cutter, scissors, and a basic tool kit
- ☐ Bed sheets, pillows, and towels for everyone
- ☐ Paper plates, cups, and a few snacks
- ☐ Shower basics and a change of clothes
- ☐ Pet food, bowls, and any kids’ comfort items
- ☐ Label it clearly and ride with it in your car
Packing Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading Big Boxes
It's tempting to fill the largest boxes to the top, but heavy boxes are hard to carry and more likely to break. Put books, tools, and dishes in small boxes, and save big boxes for light things like pillows, blankets, and lamp shades.
Skipping the Labels
A box with no label is a mystery on the other end. Write the room and a few key contents on the top and at least one side. Our crew will set each box in the right room, and you'll know exactly which ones to open first.
Waiting Until the Last Weekend
Most homes take longer to pack than people plan for. Start with rooms you use least a few weeks out, and pack a few boxes each day. If time runs short, A & M offers full or partial packing so you don't have to finish alone.
Leaving Drawers Full
Empty dresser drawers and desks of anything heavy, loose, or breakable before moving day. Full drawers make furniture much heavier and can shift or crack in transit. Light soft items can sometimes stay, so ask your crew what works for each piece.
Packing Checklist FAQs
Start about four weeks before your move with the rooms and items you use least, like guest rooms, holiday decor, and out-of-season clothes. Pack a little each day, and leave the kitchen, bathrooms, and daily essentials for the final week. Starting early keeps the last few days calm instead of rushed.
Yes. A & M Friendly Movers sells boxes and packing supplies and delivers them right to your door. Tell us about your home and what you’re packing, and we’ll help you figure out what sizes you need. You can add supplies to your order when you book.
No. Wrapping and padding furniture is included with our moves at no extra cost, and so is disassembly and reassembly. Just empty drawers of heavy or breakable items and remove anything loose from shelves. Our crew will protect each piece before it goes on the truck.
Hazardous items can’t go on the truck. That includes paint, propane, fuel, cleaning chemicals, and ammunition. Plan to use them up, give them away, or take them to a disposal site. Keep medications, important papers, and valuables with you in your own vehicle.
Absolutely. Many customers pack clothes, books, and decor themselves and have our crew pack the kitchen, glassware, and artwork. We offer full or partial packing and unpacking, so you can choose the rooms you want help with. Ask about it when you request your free quote.
Take a photo of the wiring first, then unplug everything and label each cord. Use the original box if you still have it. If not, wrap the screen in a moving blanket or plenty of padding and pack it upright. Let your crew know which boxes hold electronics so they load them carefully.
Want Help With the Packing?
If your checklist is longer than your free time, we can help. A & M Friendly Movers can deliver supplies, pack a few rooms, or pack the whole home, and our crews are background-checked W-2 employees who handle your things with care. You’ll talk to an owner, not a call center. Call 717-434-6711 or get your free quote today.
Ready to start your stress-free move? Contact us today to Get a free moving quote and let the A & M family make your moving experience a delightful one!