Complete Packing Supplies List for Moving House

Complete Packing Supplies List for Moving House

Moving house can feel like herding seagulls – one minute you’re calm, the next you’re ankle‑deep in chaos. The right packing gear turns that chaos into a neat stack of clearly labelled boxes. Below is the definitive list of what to buy, how much to buy and where to find it fast – plus a few Roomia‑exclusive tricks to keep things simple and budget‑friendly.

5 Reasons Why Quality Supplies Matter

1. Professional‑grade cartons hold their shape under heavy loads, so you won’t end up wrestling a sagging box full of books at the last minute.
2. Double‑walled, moisture‑resistant cardboard stands up to Australia’s humidity, scorching summer heat and sudden downpours – no more soggy seams or collapsed corners.
3. Heavy‑duty tape and weatherproof markers ensure boxes stay sealed and clearly labelled, even if the temperature soars or the forecast turns.
4. Purpose‑built packing materials – like dish cartons with built‑in dividers and wardrobe boxes with hanging rails, protect your most delicate and awkward‑shaped items from damage.
5. Ergonomic design features, such as reinforced handles and colour‑coded labels, speed up loading, unloading and unpacking, keeping your back and your head injury‑free.

Plan Your Supplies Perfectly: For a step‑by‑step run‑through and to tick off every essential item, check out our free interactive Moving House Checklist.

The Definitive Packing Supplies List 

Everything You Need Before You Start Packing Boxes for a Smooth Relocation

Specialty Cartons & Inserts

• TV / Monitor Boxes – double‑wall with foam corners to shield screens.
• Glass‑Divider Kits – slot fragile stemware safely.
• Picture / Mirror Sleeves – telescopic cartons for artworks.

Popular packing tip: Port‑a‑robes for hanging clothes, wine cartons with bottle dividers, and archive boxes for paperwork. These purpose‑built options spare you crushed collars and rattling reds.

Packing Tech & Electronics Safely

• Anti‑static laptop sleeves and zip bags for cables.
• Bubble‑wrap each device; mark “This Side Up”.
• Back up data to the cloud before boxing – better safe than sorry.

Protecting Your Valuables: Insurance & Inventories

Snap photos, keep receipts and list serial numbers. Ask your insurer if stored goods are covered at a secure facility like Roomia or ask us about Contents Protection.

Handy Apps to Track Your Boxes

Try free apps such as Sortly or MovingVan to QR‑label cartons and search contents later—no more mystery boxes.

Where to Recycle or Re‑use Boxes After the Move

• Flatten cartons and drop them at a local council depot or supermarket soft‑plastic cage.
• Check Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You database for the closest drop‑off point.

Roomia Value Bundles and Cost Savers

• Small Pack – $49 (save $11) 5 x Grande Heavy Duty Boxes, 5 x Medium Lite Duty Box, clear tape, 2 storage zip bags
• Medium Pack – $125 (save $40) Everything in the Small + extra Grand and Medium heavy duty and lite boxes, carry boxes, archive boxes, wardrobe box, extra tape
• Large Pack – $185 (save $60) Everything in Medium + additional quantity of Grande Heavy duty and Medium boxes, bubble wrap, butchers paper.

Order online and click‑and‑collect: our wide driveways make loading a breeze, and an on‑site manager is always handy if you miscounted the tape rolls.

How to Calculate Your Box Count When Moving House

Rule of thumb: ten medium boxes per bedroom, then add 10 % for surprise items. Still unsure? Check the Roomia unit size guide to visualise volume—or top up via click‑and‑collect any time. Safe Work Australia recommends individual loads stay under 20 kg—see their manual‑handling guide for details.

Where to Buy or Collect Supplies

• Roomia Box Shops – online or in‑store, with drive‑up bays and 24 / 7 gate access
• Local Hardware – handy for odd bits, but watch single‑box mark‑ups
• Certified Removalists – see the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) checklist for accredited movers and their recommended packing kits

Bonus Packing‑Day Toolkit

• First‑aid kit (Band‑Aids save knuckles)
• Phone charger and power bank
• Stanley knife, Phillips and flat‑head screwdrivers
• Snacks and a water bottle – because hangry packing is messy packing

Packing Day? Here’s the Plan

1. Assemble boxes in batches – less tape wastage
2. Label before sealing
3. Heavy on the bottom, light on top
4. Load the van by weight – heaviest closest to the cab
5. Need overflow space? Book a no‑lock‑in Roomia unit: code‑secure, drive‑up, zero contract drama

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Packing Supplies

What’s the difference between single-walled and double-walled boxes?

Single-walled cartons are ideal for light, bulky items like pillows, doonas, or lampshades — anything that takes up space but won’t crush the box.

Double-walled boxes have two corrugated layers for extra strength, resisting crushing, punctures, and moisture. They’re the safe choice for heavy or fragile loads like books, cookware, small appliances, or anything you’ll be stacking in a truck or storage unit. If it’s weighty or precious, double-walled wins every time.

How much bubble wrap or butcher’s paper will I really need?

For a two-bedroom home, budget for:

• 50 m roll of bubble wrap
• 5 kg ream of butcher’s paper

That’s enough to protect around 24 dinner plates, 12 wine glasses, a few small artworks, and a TV. Add 20 m of bubble wrap for each extra bedroom or if you’re packing oversized breakables like mirrors, framed prints, or large serving platters.

Tip: Overestimate — running out mid-pack costs more in time and breakages than having a little extra on hand.

Is it cheaper to buy supplies in a bundle or individually?

Yes — Roomia’s moving bundles save 15–25% compared with buying each item separately. It’s a smarter way to stay organised, save money, and keep moving day running smoothly — leaving more in the budget for the coffee (or pizza) that keeps you going.

Final Thoughts

Quality supplies let you pack once and pack right. Roomia’s modern, purpose‑built facilities back you up with on‑site experts, flexible access and sustainable solutions – so you can get on with making your new place feel like home.

Ready to gear up? Browse our online Shop Moving Boxes, or pop into your nearest Roomia location to pick up supplies – and while you’re here, take a tour of our modern, secure facilities and see how we “Make your life Roomia.”