This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
Every move has that moment: it’s the night before, and someone realizes there’s no more tape, or the last box is a mismatched mess from the liquor store down the street. A little preparation ahead of time avoids most of that scramble. Below is a straightforward checklist you can work through a week or two before moving day, organized so you can gather supplies in one or two trips instead of five.
Boxes and Containers
- A mix of small, medium, and large moving boxes, sized for what you’re packing rather than one size for everything
- A moving box kit if you want an assortment without hunting down individual sizes
- Dish-pack boxes with dividers for a kitchen’s worth of glassware and china
- Wardrobe boxes if you’d rather move hanging clothes on their hangers than fold and refold them
- Picture or mirror boxes for anything framed or glass-fronted
- A few plastic storage totes with lids for items that will go straight into long-term storage rather than being unpacked right away
Sealing and Securing
- Heavy-duty packing tape, more rolls than seems reasonable, since tape runs out faster than expected
- A tape gun, which speeds up sealing dozens of boxes considerably over tearing tape by hand
- Stretch wrap for securing drawers shut, bundling loose cords, and wrapping upholstered furniture
- Zip ties or twist ties for bundling cables behind entertainment centers and computer setups
Padding and Protection
- Bubble wrap for glass, ceramics, and electronics
- Plain packing paper for wrapping dishes and filling empty box space
- Furniture moving blankets to protect wood finishes and upholstery from scuffs
- Corner protectors for table edges and picture frames if you have them on hand
Labeling and Organization
- Permanent markers, more than one, since they tend to walk off partway through a pack job
- Colored labels or stickers to color-code boxes by room at a glance
- A notepad or phone app to keep a running inventory, especially for boxes going into storage
- Painter’s tape for labeling furniture pieces or marking which room they belong in at the new place
Tools and Moving Day Equipment
- A basic screwdriver set for disassembling bed frames, tables, and shelving units
- A furniture dolly or hand truck for anything heavier than a couple of boxes
- Moving straps if you’re relying on friends or family instead of professional movers
- Work gloves to protect hands from splinters, box edges, and heavy lifting
- Zip-top bags for small hardware, remotes, and loose parts from disassembled furniture
The Day-Of “Open First” Box
Pack one clearly labeled box last, and load it so it’s the first thing off the truck. It should hold whatever you’ll need before the rest of the boxes are unpacked: toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, basic tools, paper towels, and snacks. This one habit saves more frustration on moving day than almost any other item on this list.
Buy a Little More Than You Think You Need
Tape and boxes are the two supplies people underestimate most consistently. If you think you’ll need ten rolls of tape, get twelve. Extra boxes can usually be broken down and recycled or reused later, but running out mid-pack means a store trip at the worst possible time.
If gathering all of this feels like more than you want to take on, especially alongside everything else a move or estate cleanout involves, Omaha Estate Cleanout offers free in-home or virtual estimates and can help you figure out what kind of support makes sense. You’re welcome to reach out through our free estimate page.