When it comes to moving, one of the most common questions people ask is, “How many moving boxes do I actually need?” It’s a fair question—and a tricky one, too—because every home, lifestyle, and packing style is different. But don’t worry! With a few quick estimates and some practical tips, you can get a pretty accurate idea without overbuying (or running out last minute).
Start With the Basics
The number of boxes you’ll need depends on a few key factors:
- Square footage of your home
- Number of people living there
- Your lifestyle (minimalist vs. collector)
- How much time you have to pack carefully
Here’s a general guideline to start with:
| Home Size | Small Boxes | Medium Boxes | Large Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bedroom | 10–15 | 10–15 | 5–10 |
| 2-bedroom home | 20–25 | 15–20 | 10–15 |
| 3-bedroom home | 25–30 | 20–25 | 15–20 |
| 4+ bedroom home | 35+ | 30+ | 20+ |
Of course, this can vary based on how much stuff you actually have. Someone with a walk-in closet full of shoes will need more boxes than someone with a capsule wardrobe!
Break It Down by Room
If you’re not sure about the overall estimate, break it down room by room. For example:
- Kitchen: 8–12 boxes (lots of small to medium ones for dishes and pantry items)
- Living room: 4–6 boxes (books, electronics, décor)
- Bedroom: 5–10 boxes per person
- Bathroom: 2–4 boxes
- Garage/Storage: 5–10 boxes
Having a few extra boxes on hand is always better than scrambling to find more the night before your move.
Don’t Forget Specialty Boxes
Besides your standard small, medium, and large boxes, you might also need:
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Dish packs for fragile kitchen items
- TV or mirror boxes for flat-screen TVs and framed artwork
- File boxes for important documents
If you want to avoid damaging your belongings, using the right kind of box matters just as much as how many.
Pro Tip: Ask a Moving Team
If estimating still feels overwhelming, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional. Tommy’s Moving Team offers expert moving services and personalized advice on packing. Their team can help assess how many boxes you’ll need based on the size of your home and your unique needs. They also offer packing services, if you’d rather not do it yourself.
Tommy’s Moving Team doesn’t just move your belongings—they help make the entire process easier from start to finish. Their website is a great resource for planning your move efficiently and avoiding common mistakes.
Knowing how many boxes you need is one of the first steps to a smooth and stress-free move. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, a little planning goes a long way. Count your rooms, consider your stuff, and remember—it’s always better to have a few too many boxes than not enough.