One thing’s for sure when you’re moving: you’re going to need some moving boxes for the packing. But did you know that there are many different types of moving boxes? Picking the right size of moving boxes, getting the right amount of them and knowing what to use them for is not always as easy as it may seem. Still, there’s no need to despair! This handy guide that was put together by the ultimate Texas moving experts will help you figure out exactly the kind of moving boxes you need. So let’s take a closer look at the different sizes of moving boxes and what they’re for!
The different sizes of moving boxes and what to use them for
Boxes, as you surely already know, come in a huge variety of sizes. If you’re planning on cobbling together your supplies inventory from boxes you have lying around, then you can probably expect to end up with boxes of very different sizes. We do not, however, recommend this method as your primary source of packing supplies for relocation. While it may save you a few bucks, you won’t know exactly how sturdy or useful your second-hand boxes are until it’s too late. Instead, you should check out professional movers and packers TX in your area. Even if you’re not planning on hiring them for their packing services, they are usually able to provide high-quality packing supplies at good rates (or even for free).
When it comes to boxes specifically intended as moving boxes, they come in the following standard variations:
- small
- medium
- large
- extra large
- specialty
You will most likely need all of these in different amounts because their uses differ.
Small: the right size of moving boxes for appliances and fragile items
Small boxes have the standard dimensions of 16” x 10” x 10” (1.5 cubic feet) and fit approximately 50 pounds. Although they are probably not the type of boxes you think of when you picture a loaded moving truck, they can be very useful. They are especially popular for packing studios, apartments, rentals, and dorm rooms. This is probably because they are ideal for the small things you have lying around everywhere! So they’re exactly the right size of moving boxes for things like small appliances, lamps, CDs and DVDs, fragile decorations and other knick-knacks. You can even use them for books (but make sure you reinforce them with tape if you do so).
This is not to say, however, that they’re what you need if you have small and fragile valuables (like antiques, sculptures or frames). For such luxuries, fine art movers TX are the only conscientious choice.
Medium: the right size of moving boxes for large appliances, decorations, and food
Medium boxes measure 16” x 12” x 12” (3 cubic feet) or up to 65 pounds of weight. They are the most versatile of moving boxes which makes them the perfect choice for most things. This makes them the most popular choice for many movers. You can use them for everything from medium and large household appliances to small outdoor power tools to most home and holiday decorations. They are even useful for towels and non-perishable food like canned meals!
One thing you should definitely remember, however, is to use cushioning material when you use these boxes for appliances. Appliances come in very irregular shapes which makes them difficult to move safely. If you’re moving electronics a lot and want to protect them, electronic movers TX may be a better choice than doing it yourself.
Large: the right size of moving boxes for clothes and textiles
The standard dimensions for large boxes are 18” x 18” x 24” (4.5 cubic feet). You would expect that they can fit quite a bit and you would be right! But only in terms of volume. When it comes to how much weight they can carry, these boxes are not much better than medium ones. Why? Because the golden rule of packing is that heavy items go in small boxes and large boxes are only for light things! Overloading a large box can make it too heavy to carry and even dangerous to lift. So use large boxes only for things like clothes, soft toys, drapes, bed linens, and lampshades. If you have any unbreakable appliances or non-canned food, you can also put it in these boxes.
Extra-large: the right size of moving boxes for bedding, winter clothes, and sports equipment
The largest boxes are extra-large come in the dimensions of 24” x 18” x 24” (6 cubic feet). Once again, it is crucial to remember that they are for items that take up a lot of space but do not weight much. What you should be packing in them are pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters, winter clothes, jackets and coats, and sports equipment like skis, balls, nets and more. Even so, overloading these huge boxes is easy so be very careful!
Specialty moving boxes – what are they and do you need them?
Because not everything fits neatly in these standards, a variety of specialty moving boxes are also available. They are the right size of moving boxes for all those things you can’t fit anywhere else. Some of the popular types are:
- wardrobe boxes for your hanging clothes (come with a rod inside for this purpose)
- kitchen boxes for glassware, china and other dishes (come with partitions)
- picture boxes to safely move framed artwork (come in two sizes and are customizable)
- book boxes for your home library (sturdy and reinforced for better durability)
- TV boxes to protect your flat-screen (customizable in size)
Depending on your inventory, you may only need one or two specialty boxes if any. But if you have a lot of things that need special treatment, getting them can make moving much easier.
How many moving boxes do you need?
Finding the perfect size of moving boxes is only one step. You will also need to decide on how many of those boxes you need. There is, of course, no hard and fast rule. How many boxes you need depends on how many items you’re moving. On average, however, you can expect to need around 10 small, 8 medium and 5 large boxes per room. And remember, it’s always better to get more than less!
Other packing supplies to stock up on
Of course, the right size of moving boxes and the right amount of them are still not everything! You are also going to need other moving supplies. Here too, it is better to have too much than too little so stock up. You’ll need tape, labels, markers and cushioning material. Most can be found at your local supermarket. For the things you can’t buy there, consult with your movers. If all else fails, get creative and improvise! You probably have some tape, notes and writing supplies at home. Shredded or crumpled paper, towels, and blankets make for good cushioning. With the right planning, however, it won’t come to that.
