It’s official: you got that big promotion you’ve been dreaming of in the big city! Or maybe you and your partner just tied the knot and are finally moving in together. Perhaps your family is growing and it’s time to upgrade your space to accommodate your newest addition. Whatever the milestone, you’re stepping into an exciting new chapter—and that often comes with a move. As you wrap up your current life and prepare for what’s ahead, you’ll also start gathering all the necessary moving supplies. Tape, scissors, markers, moving blankets, and boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. Small, medium, large, corrugated, and insulated. With so many different types, how do you know the best boxes for moving?

Working with a professional moving service will allow you to find the best-matched moving boxes that suit your needs. The team at Maffucci Moving will work with you to take a thorough inventory of your items, establish a moving plan, and provide the supplies needed to get the job done—so you can focus on settling into this next exciting phase of life.

Prepping for a Move

When shopping for supplies, you’ll probably ask, “How many moving boxes do I need?” The short answer is that it depends on the size of your home. While there is no set way to determine how many you’ll need, the general rule of thumb is to figure it out based on how much square footage there is. To get the most accurate estimate of how many boxes you’ll need, use a moving box calculator — like this one — from The Home Depot. This tool will give you a clear and reliable estimate, making your packing process more organized and less stressful. 

 Box Sizes and Uses

Once you’ve determined how many boxes you need, it’s crucial to choose the right sizes. There are four main moving box sizes and uses to consider: small, medium, large, and specialty. Understanding the uses of each size will ensure you pack efficiently and keep your belongings safe during the move. 

Small boxes–Best suited for packing heavy small objects such as books, records, glassware, and small appliances. Packing heavy items in these boxes makes them easier to lift and minimizes the risk of shifting during transport.

Medium boxes–Best suited for lightweight/medium-density items such as office supplies, craft supplies, general household items, lampshades, and medium appliances. This is the most common box size you’ll use. 

Large boxes–Best suited for the lightest items such as pillows, blankets, towels, stuffed animals, clothing, and games. This is the size used most for items that take up much space but aren’t heavy.

Specialty boxes–Refers to boxes designed for specific items such as dishes, TVs, files, and wardrobes. You won’t need as many of these, but you should have some for your more fragile items. 

For an idea of how many of each box you should have based on your home size, review the following list:

• A 400-700 square foot home requires 7-15 small boxes, 9-15 medium, six large, and specialty boxes.
• A 700-1250 square foot home requires 17-23 small boxes, 15-22 medium boxes, 7-11 large boxes, and specialty boxes.
• A 1200-1700 square foot home requires 32-37 small boxes, 25-35 medium boxes, 16-20 large boxes, and specialty boxes.
• A 1700-2200 square foot home requires 38-43 small boxes, 26-47 medium boxes, 21-26 large boxes, and specialty boxes.

Choosing Boxes

Now that you’ve figured out how many boxes you need and the best sizes, it’s time to purchase. Moving can be expensive, but finding affordable, durable boxes is possible. To save where you can, check out Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Uboxes.com. If you use a moving service, they usually provide at least some boxes. At Maffucci, we provide them all. You can also check with friends and family who have recently moved to see if they might have leftover boxes you can use. Other sources that might have free boxes include Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood pages, and Craigslist. With these options, you can pack without breaking the bank. 

Packing Tips

Before packing, ensure your boxes are strong, clean, and dry. To avoid over or underbuying moving boxes, accurately assess your belongings beforehand. This is the best way to prevent the risk of stuffing your belongings into too few boxes, which could break things, or wasting precious $$ on unused boxes. We also recommend reviewing our previous blog about organization and how to pack how to pack efficiently for a move. Here’s a sneak peek of the advice we give:

• Avoid last-minute stress and ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
• Label boxes with the room it’s destined for and content descriptions
• Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes
• Use the Russian doll technique
• Create your ideal timeline
• Put heavier items on the bottoms of boxes and lighter items on the top
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box
• Use clothes and linens instead of bubble wrap
• Document furniture disassembly and keep hardware together

Maffucci Moving. Oh, So Smooth!

You’re ready to enter the next phase of life! It’s full steam ahead! Why should you worry about the mundane details that come with it? You shouldn’t! Instead, hire Maffucci Moving. This way, you can focus on all the exciting things that are about to happen for you while we focus on getting your belongings there securely. 

Need help planning your move? Let Maffucci Moving handle the heavy lifting! Contact us today for a free moving estimate and expert packing services to ensure a stress-free move.