At Moving APT, we’ve been moving boxes for over two decades. We got pretty good at it. So good, in fact, that we put together a guide to (pretty much) everything you need to know about buying a box. Let’s get you squared away – pun very much intended.
The Most Popular Boxes for Moving Day
1. Small Boxes
16” x 12” x 12”
Pros:
- Great for heavy and small items (think books and kitchenware).
- Usually a little cheaper
- More portable and easier to manage
Cons:
- Small
- Not the most stacking-friendly
2. Medium Boxes
18” x 14” x 12”
Pros:
- Probably the most versatile of the bunch
- Still pretty easy to get your arms around
- Some have handles cut into the sides
Cons:
- Just enough room for fragile items to knock around
- High demand, typically sold out
3. Large Boxes
18” x 18” x 16”
Pros:
- Lots of room
- Great for bedding and other bulky, light stuff
- Widely available
Cons:
- Do NOT put heavy items in these
- Pretty awkward to move around
Standard Issue: The Most Common Moving Boxes and their Uses
There’s a ton of different boxes out there, and if you’re doing your own packing, you should know which one’s the right choice for the job. Let’s take a look at the major players.
1. Small Boxes | 16 x 12 x 12 inches
The small box. These are miniature yet mighty, and their sturdy construction means they’re your best friend when it comes to packing up books and other small-size, high-weight items. Y’know in movies when people get fired and they have to clean out their desk? Yeah, these are the boxes they’re using.
Of course, the downside to this is something we call the small box paradox: You want to use small boxes to hold your heavy items, but you don’t want to put your heavy items on top of larger boxes. And a small box at the bottom of the stack? That’s just asking for something to topple over. The best way to avoid this is to keep your boxes separated by size.
2. Medium Boxes | 18 x 14 x 12 inches
Out of all the other moving boxes, the medium box is going to get the most mileage. They’re versatile, they’re sturdy, and they’ve got enough space for pretty much anything aside from your extra bulky items (which, to be fair, should probably be in their own boxes to begin with).
Small kitchen appliances? No problem. Toys and clothes? They’ve got it in the bag – or box, to be more exact. Unless you’re moving the Louvre, medium boxes are your go-to size. Unfortunately, the rest of the world knows it, too. These guys are usually sold out, or sold at a premium.
3. Large Boxes | 18 x 18 x 16 inches
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again and again – just to keep your stuff safe: LARGE BOXES ARE NOT FOR LARGE, HEAVY ITEMS. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of folks try to put items like lamps, monitors, and even PC towers in these. Don’t make that mistake, unless you want to buy a bunch of replacements.
Large boxes may have the size, but they don’t have the strength for those items. Instead, you should be using your large boxes for fluffy-yet-lightweight items, like pillows or comforters. Remember to avoid placing anything heavy on top of these boxes, as they may collapse!
More than Just Empty Cardboard: Meet the Specialty Boxes
Small, medium, and large boxes will do most of your lifting – but you’ll need a few specialty players to make your move even easier.
1. Extra Large Boxes | 24 x 18 x 18 inches
Extra large boxes are a little rarer, but their use-case is a little rarer, too. They’re the same deal as your regular ol’ large boxes, but with slightly-upped dimensions in case you need the extra square inchage.
Like their large box cousins, extra large boxes are best used for fluffy-yet-lightweight items. But extra large boxes are a tad bit bigger, in case you’ve got a king-sized comforter, dozens of throw pillows, or multiple sets of bedspreads. It may be tempting to throw in a few odd, non-lightweight items, but with an extra large box, you’ll really be pushing your luck.
2. Wardrobe Boxes | 24 x 24 x 48 inches
The wardrobe box is an interesting player: Not only is it much taller and narrower than the others, it often comes with a handy internal hanging rack. As you’ve probably guessed by now, the wardrobe box is designed explicitly for clothing.
Can you fold your clothes and put them in a medium box? Sure. Do you have time to fold your clothes and put them in a medium box? Maybe not. And are you absolutely sure that your suit/gown/other formalware is going to look nice, even after it’s all folded up and squished for god knows how long? We didn’t think so. Get a wardrobe box. Hang up your clothes.
3. Dish Pack Boxes | 18 x 18 x 28 inches
Dish pack boxes usually come with specialized inserts to keep all of your glasses safely supported during transport. These boxes are designed for all of your fragile china and glassware, but you’ll still want to add some padding like packing peanuts or bubble wrap.
After you finish packing a dish box, make sure you keep it right side up. Those cardboard inserts aren’t designed to take extra weight from the sides – and neither are your wine glasses.
4. Picture and Mirror Boxes | Adjustable
Picture and mirror boxes usually come in two halves: One is slightly larger, and the other is slightly smaller, and designed to slide into the bigger half. You use these to custom-tailor the dimensions of your box, so there’s no empty room for your flat, fragile items to bounce around.
Always take the time to bubble wrap your artwork and mirrors before you put slide them into your boxes. It also helps to have a buddy on hand to hold the box steady as you tighten it up and tape it securely.
5. File Boxes | 16 x 12 x 10 inches
If you’ve got a home office, file boxes are a helpful tool to keep everything organized on moving day. They’re just the right size for files, folders, and other important documents – and guess what? They’re also great for office supplies.
File boxes are also pretty sturdy, since 16 x 12 x 10 inches worth of paper can get pretty heavy. In a pinch, they can fill the same role as your small boxes.
The Right Box for the Job: How to Choose your Packing Supplies
Now that you’ve been introduced to all the different types of moving boxes, let’s recap what items should go in what box.
- Heavy Items: The smaller the box, the better. Try to use small boxes or file boxes for small, heavy stuff. DO NOT PUT THESE ITEMS IN LARGE BOXES.
- Clothing: Use a wardrobe box for clothing that should be stored on the hanger, like suit jackets or formal gowns. For more rough-and-tumble clothing that can stand being folded, a medium box should do the trick.
- Fragile items: This comes down to what kind of fragile item you’re dealing with. Art, mirrors, and anything flat and fragile? Use a picture or mirror box. Dishware and glassware? Use a dish pack box.
- Light-yet-bulky items: Pillows, comforters, stuffed animals – anything with the density of a marshmallow, pretty much – all this stuff goes in your large boxes.
- Everything else: Your medium boxes should have you covered for everything else. Always play it safe, and use a little common sense if it seems like the box is straining. Lift slow, and inspect seams often.
What Makes a High Quality Box?
There’s a huge selection of boxes to choose from, but you should always make sure you’re dealing with some high-quality merchandise. Here are some insider tips about container quality:
- Double-Walled vs. Single-Walled: In college, I did this dumb thing where my buddies and I built box forts and tried to break ‘em down. Some boxes crumpled like wet tissue, and some boxes crumpled us. The difference? The tough ones were double-walled.
- Weight limits: A proper moving box will have a weight limit marked on the side. You may not have a scale on hand to weigh every item, but you’ll still have a rough approximation of your never-exceed weight when packing.
- Used vs. New: We get it, you’ve got a tight budget. But a new box is going to be sturdier than a used one. Whether it’s new or old, always inspect your boxes for dents, water damage, or wobbly, thinning seams.
How Many Moving Boxes Will I Need?
“It depends” may not be a helpful answer, but it’s the truth: The amount of boxes you’ll need depends on how many bedrooms you have, how many fragile items you have, and how tight your budget is.
Fortunately, you can always order packing supplies from a moving team you can trust. At Moving APT, we can hook you up with all the right boxes for the job – and we can even do the packing so you don’t have to.
Wrapping Up with Moving APT
Think you know your double-walled wardrobe box from your single-walled small box? If you’ve been paying attention up until now, you probably do. And now that you’re armed with the best box-based knowledge, you’re ready to get packing for your big move.
At Moving APT, we’re ready to help. If you’d like to order some high-quality moving boxes, we’ve got you covered. And if you’d like to book a completely hands-off move and let the pros handle the packing, we can do that too. Check out our moving cost calculator and get a free quote!
Moving Box FAQs
Where is the cheapest place to pick up moving boxes?
If you want free moving boxes, try your local bookstore, office park, or even liquor store. While they aren’t moving boxes, they’re still quite sturdy (and free, if they’re feeling generous!). If you don’t feel like running all over town for your packing supplies, fortunately, Moving APT has boxes that won’t break the bank.
What is an alternative to moving boxes?
You’re always going to need some kind of moving container or box, but if you’re really in a pinch, don’t forget about your suitcases and tupperware items. You may even be able to buy a few big plastic containers – but you’ll have to find a place for them at your new place.
What should I pack first when moving?
Start with your least-used items. This means packing up your seasonal decor and decorative artwork first, and working your way up to your everyday essentials as you get closer to moving day. Ideally, your toothbrush and toiletries should be the last to be packed up (we hope).
When should I start packing?
Start packing as soon as you’ve booked your move, preferably two to three months in advance. It seems like a lot of time, but you’ll have plenty of administrative stuff to take care of like forwarding your mail, transferring your utilities, and signing all that paperwork for your new place.
What can I use as packing material?
Look, if few old t-shirts was really enough to keep everything safe, wouldn’t the pros show up with a few old t-shirts instead of all that other stuff? Do yourself (and your items) a favor, and use purpose-built packing supplies. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, air pouches, the list goes on.
