Moving on your own can be 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 clients through their moves.
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 our 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 assembling the first box. Three actions that change everything:
1. Pack what you use least first
Off-season clothes, attic items, decorations, the special occasion kitchen robot. All of that can be in boxes weeks before the move. Leave only daily essentials for last: a few plates, two pots, your toiletry bag.
This way, you spread the effort over several days, instead of one heroic night.
2. Take the opportunity to declutter (and donate)
Moving is the best filter: if you haven't used it in a year, you probably don't need it. NGOs and charities 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 having everything perfectly packed... and not knowing which box the coffee maker is in.
Mark it clearly and keep it with you, not at the bottom of the moving truck.
Packing like a pro
4. Books in small boxes
Paper is very heavy: a medium box full of books can easily weigh over 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 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 can find materials in filling and protection, and if you prefer to avoid plastic, here are some eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap.
6. Don't close boxes too soon
Finish the category before sealing: if you're packing the kitchen, pack all the utensils. Closing boxes halfway will leave you with three "miscellaneous kitchen" boxes that are impossible to unpack. And when you do seal, do it in an H-shape — we show you how to seal a box to make it more resistant.
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
X-tape over the glass, protected corners, a layer of bubble wrap, and 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, large boxes or vacuum bags — clothes take up a lot of space but weigh little.
The 60x40x40 cm box with handles is suitable for clothes; hanging clothes go in the cardboard wardrobe.
10. Stack everything in one space
Reserve a room or a corner as a "box zone": heavy items at the bottom, light items at the top, corners aligned. The house remains habitable, and everything is together when loading. More tips on how to organize moving boxes.
Furniture and appliances
11. Disassemble as much as you can
Table legs, bed frames, shelves. Disassembled, it takes up half the space and is less likely to get damaged. Take photos of the process: you'll be your own assembly tutorial a week later.
12. Place hardware in small bags taped to the furniture
Each piece of furniture with its own bag of screws and Allen wrenches, taped to the furniture itself in an inconspicuous area. The drama of "the bed frame screws" is 100% avoidable.
13. Never tape directly onto 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 a roll works very well: it protects and is easy to secure.
Moving day and arrival
14. Each box, directly to its room
When unloading, each box goes to its destination room — that's why we labeled them 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 takeaway. Seriously: end the day with something pleasant. A DIY move deserves its own small tribute.
Infographic with 15 moving tips
A 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 our moving packs come with a pre-designed combination: boxes of various sizes, tape, and bubble wrap. If you prefer to scavenge, we also cover 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 damages during a move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to pack a house?
For a two-bedroom apartment, allow two or three days in bits and pieces, 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 how much you have accumulated. With TeleCajas's box calculator, you can refine it by rooms in a minute.
What size box 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 our box size guide.
Where can I buy moving supplies?
At TeleCajas, you'll find complete packs and over 40 box sizes with delivery within 24-48 hours to the peninsula, Balearic Islands, and Portugal, free for orders over €50, and including VAT. 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 help you sort it out quickly.
