The Only Moving House Essentials You Actually Need To Make Packing Easier
This post contains affiliate recommendations. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to buy through my suggestions, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you ever. This guide includes my tried and tested moving house essentials.
I’ve moved house fifteen times and I’ve learnt the hard way on which moving house essentials are worth having and which ones are a waste of good money.
This post is the good stuff only.
Here are the recommended products linked to Amazon for ease of shopping.
A proper Tape gun with a few rolls of parcel tape is one the cheapest thing on this list and it’s the first thing I advise anyone to buy.
It sounds daft but a decent tape gun saves your fingers, seals boxes properly and stops the bottom dropping out.
Why Moving House Essentials Actually Matter More Than The Van You Hire
Everyone obsesses over which removal firm to book. Fair enough. But the boxes and wrapping you use decide whether your things arrive in one piece or in bits.
I spent years in the hotel trade before I moved into interiors, furniture and flooring sales, so I’ve seen how easily nice things get damaged when they’re not protected properly.
The Boxes That Actually Hold Up
Thin bargain bin boxes are where most people go wrong.
They’re fine for light things but the second you stack anything heavy in them, the bottom gives way.
That’s where a good tape gun earns its keep, reinforcing the base so the box can actually take some weight.
A Set of sturdy heavy duty storage boxes with lids is where I’d spend a bit more though, especially for anything heavy or breakable.
Look for ones that stack neatly and have proper moulded handles, your back will thank you.
I’ve used mine for years now, long after the move itself, for Christmas decorations and off season bedding.
A Set of large clear storage bags with carry handle is the other one I’d never move without now.
Being able to see exactly what’s inside without opening every single bag saves you so much faffing about.
They’re also brilliant for Christmas decorations or off season bedding once the move’s done.
Moving House Essentials-The Free Trick That Cost Me Nothing
Here’s a proper old fashioned tip and it costs not a penny.
When I was skint I used my tea towels bed linen and bath towels to wrap up all my breakables. Worked an absolute treat.
If you haven’t got many linens for the whole house though a Pack of honey comb wrapping paper fills the gap nicely and it’s another one of those essential moving supplies that costs next to nothing.
Wrapping Your Things Without Losing The Plot
Bubble wrap gets all the attention but it’s not the only hero here.
A Big roll of stretch wrap is one of those moving house essentials nobody thinks to buy until they’re stood in the kitchen wondering how to stop drawers flying open in the van.
Wrap it round chests of drawers wardrobes and anything with doors and it holds everything shut. Proper handy that one.
A Set of thick furniture blankets is the other one worth having to hand.
Drape them over sofas, table tops and anything that scuffs easily and you’ll thank yourself when it all arrives unscratched.
Making The Most Of The Space You’ve Got
Vans and cars only hold so much no matter how well you pack them.
A Set of vacuum storage bags is one I’d never have believed until I tried them.
Duvets, pillows and clothes squash down to a fraction of the size- suddenly you’ve got room for one more box in the boot. Spot on for anyone doing the move themselves without a big removal van.
The Splurges Worth having for your Moving House Essentials
This is the bit where I advise you to spend a bit more and mean it.
A Folding stack truck with stair climbing wheels is a proper investment. It’s genuinely worth every penny if you’re doing any of the heavy lifting yourself.
Wardrobes, washing machines and stacks of storage boxes all get so much easier with one of these under them.
A Set of wardrobe boxes with a built in hanging rail is the other splurge but it’s one that genuinely saves you days.
Clothes, still on their hangers go straight into the box, then straight back onto the rail at the other end.
No washing and ironing a whole house worth of clothes just because they got creased in a bin bag.
Budget Buys That Punch Above Their Weight
You don’t need to spend a fortune on every single thing.
A Pack of coloured labels costs next to nothing and it’s one of the smartest moving house essentials you’ll buy.
Colour code each room so whoever’s carrying boxes knows exactly where they go without asking you every two minutes.
Can you imagine the relief of walking into your new place and every box already knows where it’s going.
A Portable cable bag for cables, chargers and remotes sorts out the one job everyone forgets until moving day itself.
Pop all your remotes, chargers and spare cables into one bag before you even start on the boxes.
You’ll always know exactly where it is, rather than digging through different boxes hunting for a lost charger at midnight.
Settling In Like It’s The Start Of Your Holiday
Here’s the bit that matters most to me. When the boxes are in and the essentials have done their job the real fun starts.
Once you’re through the door you might like my guide on settling into your new home properly because that’s where the magic happens.
If bedrooms are your priority first, my bedroom organisation ideas post will help you make that room feel like a retreat from day one.
And if you want the whole house to feel like an escape rather than just a house, have a look at these ideas for a permanent escape at home.
For the official checklist side of things, things like council tax, energy suppliers and post redirection, Which? have a proper thorough moving house checklist that covers all the boring admin bits so you don’t get caught out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important moving house essentials to buy first?
The most important moving house essentials to buy first are sturdy boxes, a tape gun and coloured labels. These three things sort your packing system out before anything else needs deciding.
Do I really need bubble wrap for a house move?
Not always. Old tea towels, bed linen and bath towels wrap breakables just as well and cost nothing, though a roll of proper wrap or packing paper helps once your linen stash runs out.
How many boxes do I need to move a two bedroom house?
Most two bedroom house moves need between thirty and forty boxes depending on how much you own. It’s always worth having a few spare because you’ll always find one more cupboard.
Well go on then mi darlin, get yourself sorted with the right moving house essentials and get that forever home of yours off to the best possible start.
