Room-by-Room Packing Timeline
Start packing six weeks before moving day and work from the rooms you use least to the ones you use most. A 3-bedroom house takes three to four weeks at a couple of hours an evening, or three to five full days if you leave it to the last fortnight.
Packing is the most time-consuming part of moving. This timeline breaks it down into manageable stages.
How Many Boxes You'll Need
Order the boxes before you start, not as you run out. These are typical totals; the packing boxes calculator gives a split by box size for your own home.
| Property | Total boxes | Of which wardrobe boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 12–15 | 1 |
| 1-bedroom | 20–25 | 1 |
| 2-bedroom | 35–45 | 1–2 |
| 3-bedroom | 50–65 | 2–4 |
| 4-bedroom | 70–90 | 3–5 |
Add 20–30% if you are a collector, a keen cook or have a full loft. Use small boxes for books, crockery and tins, medium for kitchen and general contents, and large only for light, bulky items such as bedding and cushions.
What will your move cost?
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Weeks 5-6: Low-Priority Items
Start with things you won't need before moving day:
- Loft/attic: Seasonal decorations, stored items, luggage
- Spare bedroom: Guest bedding, out-of-season clothes
- Study: Books, files, magazines, ornaments
- Garage/shed: Garden tools, DIY supplies, sporting equipment
This is also the moment to declutter. Every box you do not move is a box you do not pack, carry or pay for; our guide to how to reduce moving costs starts with exactly that.
Weeks 3-4: Secondary Items
Pack items you use occasionally:
- Living room: Books, DVDs, photo frames, ornaments, spare electronics
- Dining room: Tableware for guests, candles, table linen
- Bedrooms: Out-of-season clothes, spare bedding, jewellery you don't wear daily
Week 2: Most Remaining Items
Now pack most of what's left:
- Kitchen: All non-essential appliances, baking supplies, specialty crockery, cookbooks
- Bathroom: Spare towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies
- Living room: Cushions, throws, remaining décor
- Bedrooms: Most clothes (keep one week of outfits out)
Final 2 Days: Essentials
Pack the last items:
- Kitchen: Kettle, a few mugs, plates, basic cutlery (or pack and use disposables)
- Bathroom: Daily toiletries
- Bedroom: Bedding from last night
The Essentials Box
One clearly labelled box travels in your car, not the van. In it: kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, toilet roll, hand soap, phone chargers, a screwdriver and scissors, a change of clothes per person, medication, important documents, snacks and a basic first-aid kit. Mark the box containing the first night's bedding "FIRST NIGHT" so it comes off the van first.
Pack by Item Type
Some things need a specific method rather than a timeline slot:
- Fragile items - glassware, crockery, pictures and mirrors
- Books - small boxes only, capped at about 20 kg
- Bedding, clothes and cushions - the right use for large boxes
- Hanging clothes - rail to box to rail, no folding
- TVs - original box if you have it, blanket and upright if not
Packing Tips That Save Time and Money
Label three sides of every box. You'll be able to identify it regardless of orientation.
Use what you already have. Towels and t-shirts wrap fragile items just as well as bubble wrap.
Pack heavy items in small boxes. Books, tools, and tins go in small boxes. Light, bulky items (clothes, cushions) go in large boxes.
Keep a numbered inventory. Number each box and keep a list of contents. This makes unpacking strategic and helps if anything goes missing.
Fill every box fully. Half-empty boxes collapse when stacked. Fill gaps with scrunched newspaper or towels.
Seal and label clearly. "Kitchen - fragile - glasses" is better than "kitchen stuff."
What Not to Pack
Removal companies typically won't transport the following, and finding that out on the morning is expensive. Check the firm's own prohibited list before packing day:
- Hazardous materials - paint, white spirit, petrol (including in mowers), aerosols, gas bottles
- Perishable food - anything open or chilled; use it up or bin it
- Plants - many firms refuse them beyond a local run, as they may not survive long journeys
- Cash, jewellery, passports, deeds and medication - keep these with you, so they are in hand on arrival
Running Out of Time?
If the timeline above has already slipped, a part-packing service is the usual rescue: the crew packs the kitchen and fragiles the day before and you do the rest. Our comparison of packing service vs DIY shows what that costs against doing it all yourself, and the moving house checklist keeps the rest of the move on track while you pack.