How Many Boxes Do You Need When Moving Between Houses?

If you’re preparing to move house, one of the first things you need to figure out is how many boxes you need and where to find them!

There isn’t an exact formula to figure out exactly how many boxes you need when moving between houses, but it is possible to make a good estimate depending on the size of your current place of residence, the number of rooms you’re packing, the items you’re packing, and other factors like your lifestyle.

Let’s examine how many moving boxes you may actually need depending on these different factors.

Packing by Number of Bedrooms

When it comes to figuring out how many packing boxes you need for each room, a good rule of thumb is to plan for around 30 bins per room. But keep in mind that this is just an estimate because rooms can vary a lot in size and how much stuff they have. To give you a rough idea, here’s a guide with the average number of moving boxes per bedroom.

  • 1 Bedroom – 30 Bins
  • 2 Bedrooms – 40 Bins
  • 3 Bedrooms – 50 Bins
  • 4 Bedrooms – 70 Bins
  • 5 Bedrooms – 100 Bins

Keep in mind that when packing for your move, you’ll need boxes not just for your main living areas, but also for any items you’re taking from the basement, attic, laundry room, or garage. You don’t want to find yourself scrambling for boxes at the last minute so make sure to plan ahead and get enough boxes for everything you need to move.

Packing Depending on Lifestyle

When it comes to how much stuff people can handle in their homes, it’s really subjective. For example, you might live in a one-bedroom apartment, but if you have a baby and a lot of things, it can start to feel cramped pretty quickly. On the other hand, a couple might live in a spacious 2,000 square foot house and only have a few things, so it feels more comfortable to them. It really depends on the individual and their personal preferences.

Minimalist

If you’re someone who’s deliberate and selective when it comes to decorating, and you only keep items that you truly care about, you may find that packing for a move is a bit easier for you. Since you prefer to keep things simple and functional, you might have fewer items to pack overall, which means you’ll likely need fewer boxes for moving house.

Packrat

If you’re someone who likes to hold onto sentimental items like birthday cards and notebooks, and your home is filled with pictures and knick-knacks on every surface, you may have more stuff to pack than someone who is less attached to their belongings. As a result, you should prepare to use more moving boxes than someone with fewer items, particularly in the small and wardrobe box categories. But that’s okay! Taking the time to pack your cherished possessions carefully will ensure they make it to your new home in good condition.

Somewhere in Between

If you’re neither a deliberate decorator nor a sentimental pack rat, don’t worry; there’s a whole spectrum between the two extremes. Whether you consider yourself a hoarder or a minimalist, taking stock of your belongings is the key to figuring out how many boxes you need for your move. By customizing your packing strategy to your own needs, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient moving process.

Rent the Right Number of Moving Boxes with Blue Bins

Blue Bins Unlimited is Canada’s largest supplier of residential plastic moving boxes and storage bin rental. We can help you with your next move by providing reusable and recyclable plastic boxes, cost-effective residential packing and moving supplies, as well as storage bin rental.

We also offer residential package options by the week, making it easier and hassle-free for you.

To learn more about how Blue Bins can help you, contact us today!