--- title: How to Pack for a Move: A Room-by-Room Method url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/ 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 for a move # How to pack for a move Pack in seven steps: gather supplies, start with the rooms you use least, fill each box to a weight you can lift, pad the gaps, tape it, label it and keep a list. Your in-home estimate from O'Brien's comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep, so you can begin the day after the estimator visits. 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/) ## Seven steps to pack a home - Gather supplies before you start. Boxes in three sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, markers and scissors. Boxes and supplies are sold at the Sparks office. - Start with the rooms you use least. Begin with the attic, the guest room and the garage shelves. Leave the kitchen, the bathroom and your bedroom for last. - Choose the box by the weight of the contents. Heavy items such as books go in small boxes, and light items go in large ones. If you cannot lift it, repack it. - Build a firm base and fill the gaps. Tape the bottom of every box twice, put crushed paper on the floor of the box, and pack tight so nothing can shift. - Close, tape and label. Seal the box with the lid flat, tape the seam, and write the room and a short list of contents on the side. Mark FRAGILE only on boxes that are. - Keep a numbered list. Number each box and write what is in it. The list tells you where to look on delivery day. - Set aside what you will carry. Documents, valuables, medicine and a first-night box ride with you. Good packing is repetitive: the same few habits, applied to every box. This guide is the master version. The pages on dishes, pictures, lamps and other items go deeper on the things that need more care. ## Why room order matters Rooms you use least can be packed without disrupting daily life. The kitchen goes last because it is the room you cannot do without for long. A bedroom is packed in the final week, apart from the bed and a few days of clothing. ## Padding and protection Wrap each fragile item separately in paper, and use bubble wrap for the most fragile ones. Add a layer of crushed paper between layers and a layer on top. The contents should not move when you shake the closed box gently. Items with their own pages: [dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/), [glasses](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/), [a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/), [mirrors and pictures](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) and [lamps](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-lamps/). ## Where a crew helps You can hand off all of the packing or part of it. Full packing, partial packing and box-packing-only are the choices; see [packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/). Many households pack the books and clothes and leave the kitchen and the fragile items to the crew. ## What not to pack Some items cannot ride on a truck: flammables, aerosols, propane, ammunition and perishable food are examples. The guide on [what movers will not move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) has the full list and the reasons, and your estimator will go over it at the visit. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [USPS, Official Mover's Guide](https://moversguide.usps.com/) ### 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 - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [Packing calculator: how many boxes you need](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) - [How many boxes do I need?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-many-boxes-do-i-need/) - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack glasses and stemware](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [How to pack a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) - [How to pack lamps](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-lamps/) - [How to pack shoes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-shoes/) - [How to pack clothes for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-clothes/) 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/). ### How long does packing take? It depends on the size of the home. A step-by-step schedule is in the moving timeline guide. ### Should I pack the closets? Use wardrobe boxes for hanging items and small boxes for shoes and folded clothing. ### How do I count the boxes? The packing calculator turns a room list into a box count. ## 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) D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. ## 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