How to Pack for Moving House – Advice from Professional Torquay Removalists

Pack Smarter, Protect Your Belongings and Save Money on Your Move

Packing might seem like the easy part of moving house, but the way you pack can make an enormous difference to how smoothly your move goes. Good packing protects your belongings, makes loading and unloading faster, reduces the amount of space required in the truck and can save you a surprising amount of money.

As experienced removalists in Torquay, we've seen everything from beautifully organised homes ready to move in a few hours to houses filled with hundreds of half-packed bags, loose items and collapsing boxes. The difference in moving time can be enormous.

The good news is that packing properly isn't particularly complicated. You just need the right materials, a little planning and an understanding of how different items should be packed.

Here's our guide to packing your home, room by room.

Start With Proper Moving Boxes

Before you start packing anything, get yourself some decent boxes. This is probably the single most important packing tip we can give you.

It's tempting to collect whatever cardboard boxes you can find, but dozens of mismatched boxes can make a move considerably slower. Proper moving cartons are strong, stack neatly, fit through doorways and can be carried efficiently. They also make much better use of the available space inside a moving truck.

You don't necessarily need to buy brand-new boxes. Facebook Marketplace is often a great place to find second-hand moving cartons, and reusable plastic moving crates are another excellent option.

Good moving boxes can actually pay for themselves. If you're paying removalists by the hour, the time saved carrying, stacking and loading properly packed cartons can outweigh the cost of buying them.

Use smaller boxes for heavy belongings and larger boxes for lighter items. A box filled with books shouldn't weigh the same as a washing machine!

Packing Kitchen Items – The Room That Takes the Longest

The kitchen is often one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack. Cupboards that look relatively empty can produce an astonishing number of boxes once everything is individually wrapped and packed.

Start with items you rarely use, such as serving dishes, spare glassware, baking equipment and appliances. Leave your everyday essentials until the final few days.

Plates, Bowls and Crockery

Plates should ideally be individually wrapped in packing paper and packed vertically, like records in a filing cabinet, inside a strong box with cushioning underneath. This arrangement can reduce the pressure on the plates compared with stacking them flat.

Fill any gaps with crumpled packing paper or clean tea towels so nothing can move around inside the box. Movement is one of the biggest causes of breakages during transport.

Avoid making crockery boxes too heavy. It's much better to have two manageable boxes than one enormous carton that's difficult to lift.

Glasses, Mugs and Fragile Kitchenware

Wrap glasses individually, paying particular attention to stems, handles and delicate edges. Use plenty of cushioning at the bottom and around the sides of the box.

For particularly fragile glassware, purpose-made divided cartons can be worth the investment.

One of our favourite packing tricks is using things you already own. Tea towels, hand towels and clean linen make excellent supplementary padding and can reduce the amount of disposable packing material you need.

Bubble wrap certainly has its uses, particularly for delicate objects, but it's not always the best or most economical solution. Good packing paper, suitable cushioning and a properly filled box often work extremely well.

Always label fragile cartons clearly, but remember that writing "FRAGILE" on a box doesn't replace packing it properly.

Pots, Pans and Small Appliances

Pots and pans are relatively straightforward. Nest them where possible, placing towels or packing paper between surfaces to prevent scratching.

For appliances such as coffee machines, mixers and food processors, remove loose components and pack them separately or secure them appropriately. If you still have the original packaging, it can be particularly useful for delicate appliances.

Make sure everything is clean and dry before packing, especially appliances that contain water.

Packing Books – Small Boxes Are Essential

Books are deceptively heavy.

A large carton filled with books can quickly become difficult or unsafe to lift, and the bottom may fail under the weight.

Use small, strong moving cartons and keep the weight manageable. Place larger books flat or pack books upright with their spines supported, avoiding arrangements that bend or damage the covers.

Fill remaining space with lightweight items such as cushions or soft furnishings if necessary, but don't use a large box simply because you have a lot of books.

This advice also applies to records, magazines, paperwork and other dense items.

Our advice: If you struggle to lift a packed box comfortably, it's probably too heavy.

Packing Bedrooms, Clothing and Linen

Bedrooms can be relatively quick to pack if you're organised.

Start with clothing you won't need before moving day, including out-of-season items. Suitcases are excellent for transporting clothing, shoes and other personal belongings.

Large moving cartons are ideal for pillows, doonas, blankets and lightweight linen. Vacuum storage bags can help reduce the space taken up by soft items, although you should avoid compressing delicate fabrics for extended periods.

Clothes hanging in wardrobes can be transported in wardrobe cartons, which allow garments to remain on their hangers. This can save considerable time at both ends of the move.

Before emptying your drawers, ask your removalist whether lightweight clothing can remain inside. Some drawers can travel with their contents, but this depends on the furniture's construction, weight and how it will be handled.

Never leave heavy or breakable objects inside drawers during transport.

Packing the Garage and Shed

Garages are one of the most underestimated parts of a house move.

People often calculate their moving volume based on the furniture inside the house, then remember the garage is filled with tools, shelving, bicycles, gardening equipment, camping gear and years of accumulated belongings.

Start the garage early. It's often the perfect place to begin decluttering because so many items haven't been used for years.

Tools and Hardware

Small tools, screws, bolts and hardware should be organised into strong containers or small boxes. Heavy metal tools can easily destroy weak cardboard cartons, so pay attention to weight and reinforce packaging where appropriate.

Secure sharp edges and blades to prevent injuries when handling the boxes.

Toolboxes are generally excellent for moving, provided they're properly closed and not overloaded.

Power Tools and Equipment

Remove detachable batteries where appropriate, protect exposed blades and moving parts, and secure loose accessories.

For battery-powered equipment, follow the manufacturer's transport instructions, particularly for lithium-ion batteries.

Paint, Fuel and Chemicals

This is important: don't assume your removalist can transport everything stored in your garage.

Petrol, gas cylinders, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and other hazardous materials may be prohibited from removal trucks or require special arrangements.

Ask your moving company what they can safely and legally carry before moving day. Never pack leaking chemicals or flammable liquids into ordinary moving cartons.

Unwanted hazardous materials should be disposed of through an appropriate local collection or disposal service.

Packing Electronics, Televisions and Computers

Electronics need a little extra attention because damage isn't always immediately visible.

Original packaging is ideal where available, particularly for televisions, monitors and expensive computer equipment. Otherwise, use suitable protective materials and sturdy cartons designed for the item.

Before disconnecting complicated electronics, take a photograph of the cables and connections. It can save a surprising amount of frustration when setting everything up again.

Keep remote controls, cables, power supplies and accessories together in labelled bags or small boxes.

Back up important computer files before moving, and keep valuable portable devices with you where practical.

Large televisions should be transported according to the manufacturer's recommendations, using suitable protection and secure positioning.

Packing Artwork, Mirrors and Valuable Items

Not everything belongs in an ordinary moving box.

Mirrors, framed artwork, antiques, sculptures and sentimental pieces often need individual protection and careful handling.

Use appropriate corner protection, cushioning and rigid packaging where necessary. For particularly valuable or delicate pieces, specialist cartons or custom packaging may be worthwhile.

Avoid applying adhesive tape directly to painted, polished or antique surfaces.

At Easy Eagles, we approach valuable and fragile items differently from everyday furniture. They may need additional blankets, carefully planned loading positions and dedicated space inside the truck.

For more information, visit our Antique Removalists Torquay page.

Choosing the Right Packing Materials

You don't need to spend a fortune on packing supplies, but choosing the right materials makes an enormous difference.

Here's what we recommend:

• Small moving boxes: Books, tools, canned food and heavy kitchen items.

• Standard moving boxes: General household belongings, crockery and smaller appliances.

• Large moving boxes: Bedding, pillows, cushions and lightweight items.

• Packing paper: Wrapping crockery, glassware and delicate objects.

• Bubble wrap: Additional protection for suitable fragile items.

• Strong packing tape: Securing cartons properly, including the bottom seams.

• Markers and labels: Identifying contents and destination rooms.

• Furniture blankets: Protecting furniture during handling and transport.

• Stretch wrap: Securing suitable protective coverings or loose components, without applying damaging pressure.

One common mistake is spending heavily on bubble wrap while using poor-quality boxes. A strong, properly packed carton is often more important than the amount of wrapping inside it.

Try to avoid leaving empty space in cartons. If the contents can move around, they can collide with each other. Use packing paper or soft materials to fill gaps without overpacking.

Label Everything – You'll Thank Yourself Later

Labelling boxes might seem unnecessary when you're packing, but it makes an enormous difference at the other end.

Rather than writing something vague like "Kitchen Stuff", try "Kitchen – Glasses and Mugs" or "Bedroom 2 – Books".

Write the destination room clearly on at least two sides of each box so your removalists can identify it even when cartons are stacked.

This makes unloading faster and reduces the amount of time spent moving boxes between rooms after they've been delivered.

For important items, you can also number boxes and keep a simple inventory on your phone.

Don't Pack Everything – Keep an Essentials Box

One of the most frustrating moving-day experiences is arriving at your new home and discovering that everything you need is buried somewhere inside the truck.

Pack a clearly labelled essentials box or overnight bag with the things you'll need immediately.

Think about phone chargers, toiletries, medication, toilet paper, basic kitchen supplies, a change of clothes, bedding and anything your children or pets might need.

Keep important documents, keys, valuables and essential medication with you rather than loading them into the moving truck.

You'll be very glad you did when you're tired at the end of moving day.

How Good Packing Saves Money on Removals in Torquay

Here's something people often overlook: packing isn't just about protecting your belongings. It's also about efficiency.

A house filled with properly sealed, clearly labelled, consistently sized boxes can be loaded much faster than one containing hundreds of loose items, bags and mismatched cartons.

Good packing helps removalists use the available truck space efficiently, reduces repeated handling and makes unloading at the new property more straightforward.

When you're paying an hourly rate, those savings can add up.

Our Torquay movers regularly see how preparation affects the time required for a move. Spending a little extra time packing properly can be one of the simplest ways to reduce your overall moving costs.

And remember, you don't have to do everything yourself.

At Easy Eagles, we offer flexible moving options, including packing assistance, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and complete home relocations.

Whether you're packing the entire house yourself or would prefer our team to handle the difficult parts, we're happy to help you find an approach that suits your budget.

Need professional help with your move? Visit our Removalists Torquay page to learn more about our services or contact Easy Eagles for a moving quote.