When moving your most valuable possessions, there’s nothing as important as getting them there in perfect condition. Although it’s often tempting to accept free boxes from people you know during a move, some items can become damaged because of the weakened cardboard. Using strong, never-used cardboard boxes that have been designed for a specific purpose ensures that your belongings make it to your new location in pristine condition.
Not only are new cardboard boxes for moving strong, but they also come in various sizes for the different items in your home, from decor and crafting supplies to furniture and artwork. Here are nine different types of packing boxes and materials that will keep your belongings safe and secure during your move. You can find these items and many more on our website to get ready for your move.
Essential Moving Supplies
Having the right materials on hand can make packing faster, safer, and more organized. Quality moving supplies help protect fragile belongings, prevent damage during transportation, and make unpacking easier once you arrive at your new home. Essential moving supplies include:
- Sturdy cardboard boxes in multiple sizes
- Bubble wrap for protecting fragile items
- Packing paper for wrapping dishes, glassware, and decor
- Packing tape to securely seal boxes
- Stretch or plastic wrap for securing drawers, doors, and loose components
- Furniture covers to prevent scratches, dust, and fabric damage
- Moving blankets for cushioning large furniture and appliances
- Permanent markers and labels for clearly identifying box contents
Using reliable packing materials is one of the most effective ways to ensure that items remain secure throughout the moving process.
Choosing durable moving supplies also helps maintain organization, since properly packed boxes are easier to stack, label, and transport. This small preparation step can significantly reduce stress on moving day and help avoid unnecessary damage to valuable possessions.
What Moving Boxes Really Cost
The cost of moving boxes can vary depending on their size, strength, and intended purpose. Standard cardboard boxes are typically affordable, but specialty boxes designed for fragile or bulky items may cost slightly more due to their reinforced structure.
For example, wardrobe boxes or TV boxes often include additional support features, while double-corrugated boxes are designed to handle heavier loads. Although free boxes may seem appealing at first, they are often weaker and more likely to collapse or tear during transport.
Investing in new boxes specifically designed for moving helps protect belongings and can reduce the risk of damage. In many cases, purchasing the right boxes upfront can prevent costly replacements for damaged items later on.
Choosing the Right Types of Boxes for Moving
Not every item in your home should be packed the same way. Choosing the right types of boxes for moving helps protect fragile belongings, prevents overpacking, and makes transportation more efficient.
Smaller boxes are typically best for heavy items such as books or dishware, while larger boxes are ideal for lightweight household items like linens or clothing. Specialty boxes are designed to protect valuable or delicate belongings such as electronics, artwork, or mirrors.
Using purpose-built boxes for moving also makes stacking and loading much easier for movers, reducing the chances of shifting or crushing during transit. Selecting the appropriate box size and strength ensures a safer and more organized move overall.
1. TV Boxes
TV boxes are specially made to fit modern flat-screen TVs and protect them during your move. Simply add your TV to a box suitable to its size, add some bubble wrap for extra protection, and you’re ready to go!
2. Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are designed with built-in clothing racks to prevent damage and wrinkling to your favourite clothing items. Clothes can be hung along the rack on clothing hangers, just like in a regular closet, then the box is closed and sealed, protecting your clothes during your move.
3. Picture Boxes
These shorter, thinner boxes offer a safe space for flat fragile items, such as treasured photos, valuable artwork, mirrors, computers, and picture frames. The convenient size of these boxes prevents jostling during transport, with added room for bubble wrap for extra security.
4. China Barrels
A china barrel is a double corrugated box, providing extra support to move heavier items such as dishware and other breakable items and any additional protective materials you may add to further prevent breakage. The added thickness of these boxes helps to prevent the bottom of the box from tearing open or the box bending in on itself from the weight of your items.
5. Furniture Covers
Plastic furniture covers are helpful for preventing scuff marks and rips on furniture of every kind, including fabrics, leathers, synthetics, and wood.
6. Bubble Wrap and Other Insulating Essentials
Bubble wrap, bubble foam, packing paper, packing peanuts, and moving blankets are all essential shock absorbers that are added to moving boxes and help protect your fragile belongings from the jostling and bumps that are unavoidable during moving.
7. Shrink Wrap
This plastic film can be wrapped around any items that are not easily covered with plastic or packed away in a box. Shrink wrap helps to protect these items from scratches and damage that might happen during the moving process. Furthermore, it can help to secure loose items such as drawers, closet doors, or cords wrapped up in boxes.
8. The “Last-Minute Items” Box
A “Last-Minute Items” box is one of the most important aspects of any move. This is a box where you store items that you cannot live without for a day or two. Toiletries, medications, charging cords, essential documents, everyday clothing items, and your child’s favourite stuffed animal can live in this box while you pack the rest of your items and clean out your space.
9. Trustworthy Moving, Packing, and Storage Services
Packing Services
In a time crunch, or just unsure of how to pack correctly without breaking all your belongings? Hire professional packing services and alleviate the stress. Our team of professional packers will carefully pack your items and label them according to your specifications so that you can unpack them more easily at your new location.
Moving Services
Customers can trust our movers to transport their belongings from one location to the next safely and efficiently. You can submit details about your move and get a free moving estimate for your business or personal move!
Storage Services
Eager Beaver offers portable storage options, as well as secure, heated storage units in our warehouse facility for customers who experience a significant gap between their move-in and move-out dates.
Eager Beaver Moving & Storage is Here to Help
Unsure of which boxes and packing supplies are appropriate for your moving needs? Worried about improperly packing your belongings and causing damage to your treasured items? At Eager Beaver Moving & Storage, we offer a variety of boxes, packing materials, and other moving supplies in our Edmonton shop.
Stress-Free Professional Moving Services in Edmonton
Let us help alleviate the stress of moving with our packing supplies, moving services, storage services, and packing services. Start with your free moving quote.
