Moving by yourself is a bit daunting: boxes everywhere, the feeling that you'll never finish packing... We know it well. We've been selling moving supplies for over ten years and have accompanied thousands of customers in the middle of their move.
These 15 tips come from all that experience. They're not theory — they're what works when you move without a moving company. And if you want to get all your supplies sorted out at once, here are the complete moving packs with boxes, tape, and bubble wrap included.
Before packing: plan a little
Half of the chaos of a move is decided before you assemble the first box. Three actions that change everything:
1. Pack what you use least first
Off-season clothes, attics, decorations, the kitchen robot for special occasions. All that can be in boxes weeks before the move. Leave only daily essentials for the end: a few plates, two saucepans, the toiletry bag.
This way, you spread the effort over several days, not one heroic night.
2. Take the opportunity to clean (and donate)
Moving is the best filter: what you haven't used in a year is probably superfluous. NGOs and associations collect clothes, furniture, and toys in good condition. Between throwing away and donating, donate — you'll move lighter and someone else will benefit.
Fewer things mean fewer boxes, fewer trips, and less to unpack when you arrive.
3. Prepare the first-day box
A box or suitcase with the essentials for the first 24 hours: sheets, a towel, chargers, toilet paper, some dishes, coffee. The classic mistake is to have everything perfectly packed... and not know which box the coffee maker is in.
Mark it well and have it travel with you, not at the bottom of the van.
Packing like a pro
4. Books, in small boxes
Paper weighs a lot: a medium box full of books easily exceeds 20 kg. Use small boxes and label them by topic ("kitchen," "novels"...). Your back — and whoever helps you — will thank you. Here we explain how much weight a box can hold depending on its cardboard.
5. Fill in the gaps in each box
A box with air will dent and allow the contents to shift. Wrinkled kraft paper, bubble wrap, or even towels and bedding can serve as cushioning. You have materials in filling and protection, and if you prefer to avoid plastic, here are the eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap.
6. Don't close boxes prematurely
Finish the category before sealing: if you're packing the kitchen, all the utensils go in. Closing halfway means you end up with three "miscellaneous kitchen" boxes that are impossible to unpack. And when you seal, do it in an H-shape — we show you how in how to seal a box so it holds more weight.
7. Label on multiple sides
Use a thick marker, write the contents and destination room on at least two sides and the top. When stacked, only the side is visible, so labeling only the lid is useless.
If something is delicate, add "FRAGILE" and arrows pointing up — here are all the packaging symbols that any carrier understands.
8. Mirrors, paintings, and glass, handle with care
Tape an X on the glass, protect corners, add a layer of bubble wrap, and place in a snug flat box. This is the classic item that arrives broken when improvised. We have a step-by-step guide for packing paintings and mirrors and specific telescopic boxes.
9. Hanging clothes, in wardrobe boxes
Wardrobe boxes have a rail: clothes go from the old closet to the new one without folding or ironing. For the rest, use large boxes or vacuum bags — clothes take up a lot of space but weigh little.
10. Stack everything in one space
Designate a room or a corner as the "box zone": heavy items at the bottom, light ones at the top, corners aligned. The house remains livable and, when loading, everything is together. More tips on how to organize moving boxes.
Furniture and appliances
11. Disassemble everything you can
Table legs, bed frames, shelves. Disassembled, it takes up half the space and gets damaged less. Take photos of the process: you'll be your own assembly tutorial a week later.
12. Screws, in small bags taped to the furniture
Each piece of furniture with its bag of screws and Allen wrenches, taped to the furniture itself in an inconspicuous area. The "bed frame screws" drama is 100% avoidable.
13. Never put tape directly on furniture
The adhesive leaves marks or removes varnish. First, a layer of film or cardboard, and then tape over that layer. For large surfaces, corrugated cardboard in rolls works very well: it protects and is easy to secure.
D-Day and arrival
14. Each box, directly to its room
When unloading, each box goes to its destination room — that's why we labeled in tip 7. And unpack by priority: kitchen and beds on the first day; paintings can wait a week without offense.
15. Celebrate the end
An impromptu dinner on boxes, a toast, your favorite takeout. Seriously: end the day with something pleasant. A DIY move deserves its small tribute.
Infographic with the 15 moving tips
The visual summary of all the above, to save or share:
How many boxes and what materials do you need?
It depends on the size of your home. Our free moving box calculator gives you the number in a minute, and the moving packs come with a pre-planned combination: various box sizes, tape, and bubble wrap. If you prefer to search, we also tell you where to get free boxes — sometimes it's worth it, sometimes not.
And if you hire transport and something arrives damaged, you have rights: guide to claiming for moving damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to pack a house?
For a two-bedroom apartment, allow two or three days in bits, or one intense weekend, starting with what you use least. The kitchen is always the slowest: plates, glasses, and "drawer stuff."
How many boxes do I need for a move?
Between 20 and 40 for a two-bedroom apartment, depending on what you've accumulated. With the TeleCajas box calculator, you can refine it by rooms in a minute.
What box size is best for a move?
A combination: small for dense items (books, dishes), medium for general items, and large only for light items, like clothes or duvets. No box should exceed 15-20 kg. Here's the box size guide.
Where do I buy moving supplies?
At TeleCajas, you'll find complete packs and over 40 box sizes with 24-48 hour shipping to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, and Portugal, free from €30 and with VAT included. Orders placed before 5:00 PM ship the same day — useful when the move is "for yesterday."
Your move, with supplies sorted
If you have any doubts about which boxes or how many, write to us on WhatsApp at +34 665 53 23 58 with an idea of your home, and we'll set you up in a moment.
