Moving Supplies List: The Unexpected Items I Bought (Beyond Boxes and Tape)
If you’ve ever moved across the country, you already know about the basics—boxes, tape, bubble wrap—but having a complete moving supplies list is crucial to ensure nothing is forgotten during the process.
If we haven't met yet, I'm Maggie, and a few months ago my husband and I decided we wanted a change of pace and more sunshine so we starting planning our move from Maryland to Florida.
We knew we would need a lot of boxes to pack up our 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in Maryland but so much goes into moving beyond just how many boxes you'll actually need. It's easy to underestimate and moving is expensive whether you plan to move yourself, hire a company for a white glove service, or utilize storage units like Pods or Pack Rat.
But what I wasn’t prepared for was how many other little things made a huge difference… especially when you’re packing up an entire house with kids, on a tight timeline, while still living in it. Cleaning supplies, special packing supplies, and storage contatiners can make all the difference!
We decided on our Florida house at the end of January… and listed our Maryland house just a few weeks later. So there was no slow, organized packing process over months. And luckily, we like most of our stuff so throwing all of our loose items into garbage bags was not the move either. (Isn't that how we moved out of our college dorms or was that just me?)
These are the items that genuinely made our move easier, more organized, and honestly less chaotic. So if you're planning a long distance move, or just want to keep your home more clean and organized, these are the essential items I recommend after going through it myself.
To Shop All of My Moving Supply Recommendations, Check Out My Amazon Storefront Here.
Vacuum Seal Bags (Game Changer for Saving Space and Protecting Your Clothes)
Cozy Essential Vacuum Storage Bags (I’ve had these for years and they hold up great!)
Space-saving compression bags perfect for bulky clothing and bedding during a move. I actually didn't buy these specifically for our move so they are definitely useful even if you don't plan on relocating. I use them to store off-season clothes so my closet doesn't feel so overwhelming and I had a bag for all of my old hospital scrubs when I took a break from nursing.
When packing for this move, we used them for:
winter clothes
bedding
lighter items like clothes and bulky bedding that take up way too much space
They compress everything down SO much—like shockingly small. Some bags can reduce volume by up to 75%, which makes a huge difference when packing a full house. You can also use these bags to fill empty space in boxes, maximizing space and providing extra cushioning for fragile items.
Storage Tote Bags (Better Than Boxes for Certain Things)
Extra Large Heavy Duty Moving Bags - Comes in an 8 Pack
Durable, lightweight moving bags that replace bulky boxes and are easy to carry. The handles on these things are strong.
And since we had a few weeks where we were hopping around before our new house in Florida was ready, we use these tp store clothes, kitchenware, and toys that we didn't necessarily need on a daily basis but still wanted to keep with us.
I did not expect to love these as much as I did.
They’re easier to carry than boxes, hold a TON, and don’t take up space when empty. Some people even use these instead of boxes entirely because they’re lightweight and reusable. A lot of them are waterproof which is another nice benefit.
Mattress Storage Bags (Non-Negotiable)
Linen Spa Mattress Storage Bags - Comes in a 2-pack and Multiple size options!
These are one of those things you don’t think about… until you realize you absolutely need them. Mattress bags are essential moving supplies designed specifically to fit snugly around mattresses, providing crucial protection during a move.
They:
protect your mattress from dirt, moisture, stains, and surface damage
add an extra layer of defense to keep everything clean during transport
give you peace of mind (especially if your mattress is newer)
This is one of those “don’t skip this” items. Especially since our furniture was going to be in storage for a few weeks, this felt like a better option than plastic wrap to keep our matresses safe.
Better than wardrobe boxes IMO because they can be reused and store easily!
Wardrobe Bags (Saved So Much Time)
Garment Bags for Hanging Clothes
Keeps clothes on hangers and wrinkle-free during moving and travel... um, yes please.
If you don’t want to take all your clothes off hangers… get these.
We were able to:
move clothes directly from closet → bag → new closet
avoid folding/unfolding everything
keep things wrinkle-free
For even more convenience, consider using a wardrobe box—a type of specialty box designed specifically for hanging clothes. Wardrobe boxes are tall, sturdy boxes with a hanging bar, perfect for keeping delicate items like dresses and suits wrinkle-free during your move. Specialty boxes are also available for other delicate items, such as dishware or electronics, providing extra protection for fragile belongings.
I prefer these bags because I can use them again or store them away for future use. When you’re already overwhelmed, this saves so much time and effort. Because the last thing you want to do when you get to your new house is struggle to find anything decent to wear because its all folded and packed in boxes or trash bags that you can't easily see what's inside.
China Storage Containers (Worth It for Fragile Items)
Quilted China Storage Containers 5-Piece Set · Storage for a set of 12!
Quilted storage containers designed to protect dishes and glassware during moves. For extra protection, use packing paper to wrap delicate items and add packing peanuts or foam sheets inside the containers to cushion and protect fragile items from damage.
I debated this one… but I’m so glad I got it. I have Christmas china that was passed down from my husband's late grandma and I knew we both would be devastated if anything happened to it, so for us, it was worth the expense.
Instead of individually wrapping every dish in paper:
everything had its own section
it felt secure and organized
unpacking was way easier
Dish boxes and dividers are also available—these specialized boxes come with built-in cardboard dividers to keep dishes and glassware separated and safe during transit. Be sure to use strong packing tape to secure these boxes and ensure the contents remain protected throughout the move.
If you have anything fragile or sentimental, this is 100% worth it.
Black & Yellow Storage Bins (Heavy-Duty MVP)
Stackable Heavy Duty Storage Bins with Lids - Comes in many sizes and great for garage storage!
These plastic bins are another great option for packing household items. They’re durable, stackable, and help you stay organized during the move, making it easy to protect and transport your belongings efficiently.
These are the bins you see everywhere… and for good reason.
We used them for:
heavier items
garage stuff
holiday decor
kids clothes that don't fit yet but we will use in the future
things we didn’t want crushed
While storage bins are great for heavy or valuable items, using medium and large boxes is also important for efficient packing. Medium boxes are perfect for heavier or fragile objects, while large boxes work well for lightweight, bulky items like bedding and clothing. Cardboard boxes come in various sizes—small for books, medium for clothing, and large for pillows or blankets—making them essential moving supplies. Using uniform box sizes, especially with cardboard boxes, makes stacking and handling much easier during transport. It’s always better to have extra boxes on hand than to run out mid-move.
Same with these palstic bins. They stack well, don’t break like boxes, and feel way more secure for long-distance moves. Plus have you seen some of the garage organization projects people make with these!? So dreamy.
The Labeling Hack I Wish I’d Known (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
If there’s one thing I wish I’d done from the very start, it’s labeling my boxes with a real system. Trust me—just scribbling “kitchen” or “bedroom” on the side isn’t enough when you’re staring at a mountain of boxes in your new place.
Here’s what actually works: color-coding. Assign a color to each room (like blue for the kitchen, green for the living room, etc.) and use colored stickers or permanent markers to label boxes. It makes it SO much easier for you (and your movers) to know exactly where each box belongs—no more guessing or opening every box to find your coffee mugs.
Below are a few options that I didn't actually purchase but came highly recommended:
Furniture Covers & Pads (Protecting the Big Stuff)
When it comes to moving the big, bulky items—think couches, dining tables, dressers, and beds—furniture covers and pads are absolute essential packing supplies. I learned the hard way that even a short move can leave your favorite pieces scratched, scuffed, or covered in dust if you don’t protect them.
When we moved into our current house, the glass door on one of my china cabinets broke and it was a pain to fix. This equipment would have saved us from that hassle.
Moving blankets (also called furniture pads) are thick, padded blankets you wrap around your furniture to prevent dings and scrapes. You can buy them or rent them from your moving company, and they’re worth every penny. For extra protection, especially against dirt or moisture, use plastic furniture covers—these slip right over sofas, mattresses, or chairs and keep everything clean.
Hand Trucks & Straps (The Muscle-Savers I Didn’t Expect)
I honestly didn’t realize how much heavy lifting was involved until I started moving box after box (and then the furniture!). That’s when I discovered the magic of hand trucks and straps—two packing supplies that saved my back and a ton of time.
A hand truck (or dolly) lets you stack and roll heavy boxes or awkward items instead of carrying them. Look for one with sturdy wheels and a high weight capacity, especially if you have a lot of heavy boxes or need to go up and down stairs. It’s a total game-changer for moving large boxes, appliances, or even stacks of books.
Ratchet straps are another must-have. They keep your boxes and furniture secure in the moving truck, so nothing shifts or tips over during the drive. Just wrap the straps around your items and tighten them down. I also found a tape gun and plenty of packing tape super helpful for quickly securing straps and keeping everything in place.
Final Thoughts
Moving is already a lot.
Anything that:
saves time, like using hired movers or having the right tools for disassembling furniture,
reduces stress,
or makes things more organized, such as starting to pack early, organizing by room, and creating a detailed inventory list by writing down the contents of each box and assigning box numbers,
is 100% worth it in my opinion.
Don’t forget to rent a rental truck and make sure it’s properly loaded and secured for a safer move. We definitely didn’t do everything perfectly (we actually did a lot of this backwards 😅), but these items made a noticeable difference in how smooth things went.
If You’re Planning a Move…
Start collecting these things early—even if your move is months away. Consider whether it makes sense to purchase or rent certain moving supplies, like dollies or hand trucks, based on how often you move or the volume of furniture you have. Don’t forget to gather other items and other hardware, such as sturdy boxes, foam padding, plastic bins, or custom-built solutions, to help protect your belongings and make the move easier.
Future you will be VERY grateful.
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