--- title: How to Pack a Closet for a Move: Sort, Hang, Box url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-closet/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack a closet # How to pack a closet for a move A closet empties from the top shelf down: boxes and bins first, then folded clothes, then hanging clothes, then the floor. Hangers go straight into wardrobe boxes, and everything else goes into labeled cartons by owner. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A closet is the most personal storage space in the home, and it hides more than most people expect. Gift boxes, luggage, old files and winter gear all end up on the shelf above the rod. Packing from the top down keeps the work orderly and the new closet easy to refill. ## Clear the shelf Start at the top. Boxes on the shelf, hat boxes, luggage and bins come down first, and each one is a decision. Keep, give away or toss before it goes in a carton. Empty suitcases can be used for packing, as long as you do not exceed a weight you can lift. Fill luggage with soft items such as linens and towels. ## Fold, stack and label Folded sweaters, jeans and tees go flat in small or medium cartons. Keep stacks by family member and by season, and label each carton on two sides. The full folding method is in [how to pack clothes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-clothes/). Keep an easy-to-open carton for the first week's clothes. It rides with you or goes on the truck last, so it comes off first. ## Hanging clothes Move hanging clothes from the rod to a wardrobe box in handfuls. Group them the way they hang now, and the new closet takes five minutes to fill. Delicate dresses and suits do better in a garment bag, and a wardrobe box keeps them upright. A small piece of tape across the hangers stops them sliding together on the rail. ## Shoes, belts and accessories The floor of the closet usually holds shoes, bags and boots. Use the pairing method from [how to pack shoes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-shoes/), and put handbags stuffed with paper into a medium carton so they hold their shape. Ties and belts roll up and fit in a shoe box. Jewelry stays with you; [how to pack jewelry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-jewelry/) explains the sorting. ## Closet organizers and shelving Wire shelves, hanging organizers and rods can often stay. If they are part of the house, leave them. If they are yours, remove the brackets and tape the pieces together with the screws bagged and attached. When closets are the biggest part of the job, [partial packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/) lets the crew pack wardrobes while you handle the rest. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack clothes for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-clothes/) - [How to pack shoes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-shoes/) - [Partial packing and box-packing-only service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack kids' rooms](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-kids-rooms/) - [How to pack patio and outdoor furniture](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-patio-furniture/) - [What to do with food and the pantry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/) - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) - [How pianos are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-piano/) - [How pool tables are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-pool-table/) - [How hot tubs are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-hot-tub/) - [How to move a refrigerator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-refrigerator/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### What do I do with clothes I no longer wear? Donate them before moving day. Each bag you remove is one less carton to pack, move and unpack. ### Can I keep clothes in dresser drawers? Often yes, if the dresser is sturdy and the drawers are not packed full. Your estimator can tell you at the in-home estimate. ### How many wardrobe boxes do I need per closet? Measure the rod length. One box holds roughly the hanging space of a few feet of rod, and the estimator can total it for the whole house. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070