--- title: Packing Checklist: What to Pack, in What Order url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-checklist/ 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/) - Packing checklist # Packing checklist Pack in five passes: supplies, rooms you rarely use, everyday rooms, the kitchen, and the last-night bag. Each pass has a short list below, along with the items that must come out of every box before the crew arrives. 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/) Packing goes faster when you do it in passes instead of room by room in a panic. This checklist breaks the work into five stages, and each one has a plain finish line so you know when it is done. ## Pass one: supplies and a plan Count your rooms and gather boxes in three sizes, packing paper, tape, markers and bubble wrap. The [packing calculator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) estimates the number of boxes, and the [boxes and supplies](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/) page lists what the Sparks office sells. Your in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. Pick a label system before the first box is taped. Write the room, a short list and a number on the side, not the top, so the label is readable in a stack. - Small boxes for books and heavy items. - Medium boxes for kitchen, toys and small appliances. - Large boxes for linens, pillows and lampshades. - Wardrobe boxes or a rod for hanging clothes. ## Pass two: rooms you rarely use Start with the attic, basement, guest room and garage shelves. These rooms hold things you will not miss for weeks. Sort as you go: keep, donate, recycle, discard. See the [garage packing guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-garage/) for tools and chemicals. Remove anything a mover cannot carry. Aerosols, propane, fuel, paint and similar items are on the hazardous list; the [what movers will not move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) guide explains it, and EPA's household hazardous waste page tells you how to dispose of them. ## Pass three: everyday rooms Next come the living room, bedrooms and office. Wrap framed pictures, pack books in small boxes, and photograph the wiring behind electronics. Leave a few days of clothing out. The [room by room guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) gives the order, and the [home office guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) covers electronics. ## Pass four: kitchen and bathroom These rooms go last because you use them every day. Pack plates on edge with paper between them, wrap glasses individually, and put liquids in sealed bags. Pack pantry goods you intend to keep and use up or donate the rest. The [kitchen guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/) and [dishes guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) go through it step by step. ## Pass five: the last-night bag Pack one bag per person with clothes, medicine, chargers, toiletries and documents. Keep a box of cleaning supplies and tools out for the final walk-through. A [first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) for the new home saves a search for sheets at midnight. If you would rather hand part of this to professionals, [partial packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/) and [full packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/full-packing/) are both available. Call 775-359-6683 to talk it through. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [EPA, Household Hazardous Waste](https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [USAGov, How to change your address](https://www.usa.gov/change-address) ### 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 - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) - [Packing calculator: how many boxes you need](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) - [What movers will not move (hazardous items)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving-day checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-day-checklist/) - [First-week-in-your-new-home checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/new-home-checklist/) - [Apartment moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/apartment-moving-checklist/) - [Hiring movers vs renting a truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hiring-movers-vs-renting-a-truck/) - [Moving container vs moving truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-container-vs-moving-truck/) - [Full packing vs packing it yourself](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/full-service-vs-partial-packing/) - [Moving to Reno from another country](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-reno-from-abroad/) - [Moving to Canada from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-canada-from-the-us/) 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 many days does packing take? That depends on the size of the home and how many people help. Spread the work across several weeks and do one pass at a time. ### What goes in the last box? Cleaning supplies, tools, and a bag with things you need on move day and night one. ### Which items should not be packed? Hazardous items such as aerosols, propane and fuel come out of the load. The guide on what movers will not move has the list. ### How should I label boxes? Put the destination room, a short contents list and a number on the side of every box. ## 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 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! N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! 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