How to label moving boxes
Good labels are the difference between unpacking in a weekend and living out of boxes for a month. The trick is to label every box the same way, and on the side, not just the top, so you can still read it when boxes are stacked.
A simple system
- Room it's going to at the new house, in big letters: KITCHEN, BED 2, LOFT.
- What's inside, briefly: "pans and baking trays", "kids' books", "bathroom cabinet".
- A number, so you can check they all arrived: 1, 2, 3 and so on, with a list on your phone.
- Priority: mark the boxes you'll need in the first day or two "OPEN FIRST", and the rest can wait.
- Handling: "FRAGILE", "HEAVY" or "THIS WAY UP" where it matters. fragile tape and glass handle with care tape make this obvious without writing.
Write on two sides and the top. A thick black marker is all you need.
Packing tip: Give each room a colour (a strip of coloured tape or a dot of marker) and put the same colour on the door of that room at the new house. Whoever carries the box in knows exactly where it goes.
The "open first" box
Pack one box, or a bag, with everything you'll need on the first night: kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, phone chargers, toilet roll, a towel, bedding, medication, basic tools, bin bags, cleaning spray and something for dinner. Keep it with you in the car rather than in the van.
Keep a list
A note on your phone with box numbers and what's in each one takes a few seconds per box and means you can find the stapler, the passports or the coffee machine without opening ten boxes. Still working out how many you need? Try the box calculator or our guide to how many boxes you need.
Questions
Where should I label moving boxes?
On at least two sides and the top. Labels on top can't be read once boxes are stacked.
What should I write on a moving box?
The room it is going to, what is inside, a box number, and any handling note such as fragile, heavy or this way up.
What goes in an open first box?
Things for the first night and morning: kettle, mugs, tea, chargers, toilet roll, towels, bedding, medication, basic tools, bin bags and cleaning things.