Moving to a new home can be exciting and overwhelming, but without proper planning, you will naturally feel stressed. 

One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to make a checklist of what you must pack while moving.

This checklist will not only provide a clear plan but will also help you pack efficiently.

This way, you can keep all your belongings intact and save yourself from last-minute chaos.

With your moving checklist completed and your moving budget in place, now is the time to turn your attention to packing.

A room-by-room packing checklist will help you stay organized throughout your move.

Whether you’re packing alone or have someone help you pack before moving, a packing checklist will ensure nothing is missed or incorrectly loaded.

Like a room-by-room moving checklist, you’ll want to keep your packing checklist in a digital spreadsheet (such as Excel or Google Sheets) or on a home inventory app.

These digital formats are portable, easy to edit, and more manageable than paper lists.

Now, let’s get into detail on how to pack the nine essential rooms in a home. Below is a sample checklist that you can refer to while packing 
Room by Room Moving Checklist

1. Living Room Packing Checklist: Pack With Ease

The living room is often one of the biggest rooms, so it’s a good idea to pack it first. It might take time and energy, but your room-by-room packing checklist will simplify the process. 

What to remember when packing your living room: 

  • Electronics (TV, speakers, discs & tapes)

  • TV

Remove the plugs and antennas from your TV and store them in a sealable bag.

Wrap the TV in a soft blanket and place it in a sturdy, well-cushioned box.

Fill empty spaces with packing paper and bubble wrap to keep it secure during transit.

  • Speakers

Wrap the small speakers in a bubble wrap and put them in a well-cushioned box. For the bigger ones, wrap them securely in a moving blanket.

  • Discs and Tapes

Put the discs and tapes in their original cases and place them on the corners of the small moving boxes.

Do not forget to add crumpled paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the box to cushion it well. 

  • Furniture (couch chairs, coffee table, TV Cabinets)

1. Couch Chairs

 While packing the couch chairs, remove the cushions and covers from your couches. Use plastic wrap to protect them from dirt.

2.   Coffee Table

Detach the table legs and wrap them with bubble wrap, securing them well with packing tape. Cover the tabletop with a blanket to prevent scratches on the surface.

3. TV Cabinets

Empty the drawers and shelves to make transportation safe and easier. Wrap the cabinets in a moving blanket and secure them with packing tape.

  • Decorative items (rugs, paintings, vases)

1. Paintings & Vases

Cover the paintings and vases in bubble wrap, add foam sheets on the sides, and secure them in a box. Label them as fragile.

2. Rugs

  • Rugs should be rolled and secured with plastic ties.
  • Cover them with plastic wraps for extra protection. 

  • Books and magazines

Sort your books and magazines by size and pack them in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with packing paper. Arrange them upright in the boxes, and fill any empty spaces at the bottom with crumpled paper for added support.

If you use part of your living room as an office, kid’s playroom or pet place, you can include those items on this list.

To accommodate these items, create a sublist under this one. 

That was a good warm-up for the rest of the rooms in the house.

Buckle up, and let’s move on to your bedroom packing checklist.

2. Bedroom Packing Checklist: Step-By-Step Guide

Continue your room-by-room packing checklist with your bedroom, followed by any other bedrooms you may have. 

If you have different types of bedrooms, like a master bedroom and a kids’ bedroom, you have options.

You can create separate sections for each or make subheadings under the main “Bedroom Packing List” heading. Choose the approach that suits you best.

Essential items to consider when packing your bedroom:

  •  Clothing

  1. Pack your clothes by season and set aside items you won’t need. Consider donating or selling pieces you haven’t worn in a year—like that shirt you keep hanging onto. It’s time to let them go.
  2. Fold the rest of the clothes and place them in suitcases or boxes.
  3. Pack your expensive clothes in wardrobe boxes.

  • Shoes

Pack your shoes in their original boxes or suitable containers, and stuff crumpled paper inside to help maintain their shape.

  • Bedding (sheets, pillows, comforter)

Remove the bed sheets, pillows, and comforters and put them in a large cardboard box with a paper lining at the bottom.

  • Furniture (bed frame, mattress, wardrobe)

1. Bedframe

Remove and disassemble the bedframe. After bubble-wrapping the smaller parts of the bed, put them in zip locks and wrap the larger parts in a moving blanket. 

2. Mattress

Put the mattress in a mattress protection bag to protect it from dirt.

3. Wardrobe

  • Empty any drawers and shelves and remove any detachable parts. Secure the wardrobe doors so that they don’t open during transit.
  • If your wardrobe is small, you can move it in one piece. But if it has a double or triple wardrobe attached, you will have to disassemble it and secure individual parts. 

  • Jewelry

  1. Pack your jewelry in original boxes or other suitable jewelry cases to keep it organized and safe.
  2. You can place each piece of jewelry in smaller Ziploc bags and then put it in a big bag to keep them all together.
  3. If you have valuable jewelry, consider keeping it with you so it doesn’t get misplaced.

The bedroom is where you’ll use the most variety of packing materials.

You need wardrobe boxes for clothing, regular boxes for folded items and books, and furniture protection items like blankets, foam corners, cling wrap, packing tapes, mattress covers, etc. 

Make notes of what packing materials you may need for each type of room, so you arrange the right packing supplies in time.

3. Kitchen Packing Checklist: Everything You Need

Although it may be the most daunting room on your checklist due to the sheer number and variety of items, you eventually need a kitchen packing plan.

It helps to plan when packing kitchen items.

You can pack things you don’t use often, like special tools and appliances, ahead of time.

But keep everyday items handy so you can use them until your last meal.

Make a note to leave cleaning products until the end, too, because you will want to clean before you depart and keep those items handy for cleaning when you arrive at your new home.

What to include in your kitchen packing checklist:

  • Cookware (pots, pans)

  1. While packing the pans and pots, put them in medium-sized cushioned boxes. 
  2. If any pots and pans have glass lids, wrap them separately in bubble wrap and put them in the same box as the pots and pans.
  3. Ensure that the boxes are well-cushioned with packing papers.

  • Appliances (Coffeemaker, toaster, blender)

  1. Coffeemakers, toasters, or blenders should be clean and dry before packing.
  2. Remove any detachable parts, wrap them, and keep them vertically in boxes for extra protection.
  3. Pack these appliances in solid boxes and fill the gaps with packing paper or foam with extra cushioning.

  • Dishes and glassware

Pack these items with extra care and label them as fragile. Place them vertically in the box. You don’t want your favorite crockery to break.

  • Perishable Food

  1. Remember that non-perishable foods, including herbs and spices, can be packed for transportation in the moving truck. 
  2. Anything perishable must be transported separately by you in a climate-controlled thermal bag or thrown out. Write something like “move myself” or “toss” beside these items so you don’t have to make these decisions hastily on a moving day.

4. Bathroom Packing Checklist: Essentials You Need

Create subsections for each bathroom in your home and start listing every item in each.

Packing similar items from two or more bathrooms in boxes might be tempting, but this will just make unpacking a long process. Keep it simple and keep the bathroom packing lists separate.

Here are a few bathroom supplies you shouldn’t forget to pack:

  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, towels)

Throw away expired toiletries and store liquid bottles in ziplock bags to prevent leaks. Keep essentials like your toothbrush, soap, skincare items, and towels handy for the first few days in your new home.

Medicine and first-aid kit: 

Throw the expired medicines and keep the rest handy, as they can be needed anytime.

  • Shower curtains

  1. Fold the shower curtains and store them in large plastic bags or pack them in large boxes.
  2. You can also use shower curtains as padding for the moving boxes.

5. Home Office Packing Checklist: Key Items To Take

Whether your office is in its dedicated room with a door or a specific area in your basement, living room, bedroom, or attic, be sure to include a separate section for it in the checklist.

Important things to include in your home office packing checklist:

  • Electronics (computer, laptop, keyboard)

  1.  Take a backup of your PC and laptop and remove all the wires. If using a monitor, remove it from its stand. Wrap these electronics in high-quality packing paper, then bubble wrap them and place them in a well-cushioned box. Label the box as fragile.
  2. Wrap the keyboard, mouse, webcam, etc, in bubble wrap and put them in moving boxes.

  • Office supplies (paper, pens, folders)

 Collect all the office supplies, including papers, pens, and folders, and put them together in a box.

  • Important documents (passport, contracts, certificates)

 Keep your essential documents, including passport, contracts, and certificates, in a binder or a folder with sleeves, and always keep them with you. You don’t want to pay the heavy cost of losing them

  • Furniture (desk, chair)

Disassemble the office chairs and pack them separately in large boxes.

Empty the desk’s drawers and wrap them in a moving blanket for seamless transportation.

You’re on a roll. Depending on the number of rooms in your home, you should be more than halfway through by now.

6. Kid’s Room Packing Checklist: Items To Include

If your children have a kid’s playroom, ensure you cover it on your room-by-room packing checklist.

One packing hack is to use existing trunks and toy bins to move toys and games instead of packing them separately, as long as it’s not too heavy to move.

Just make sure you seal the toy boxes and costume trunks so they don’t pop open while your professional movers are handling them.

For art supplies, ensure that any liquids (such as paint or glue) are stored in leak-proof containers to prevent spills during the move.

Items to include in your kid’s room packing checklist:

  • Children’s clothes

  1. While packing children’s clothes, remove the ones that are no longer used or worn out.
  2. Pack your children’s clothes in suitcases or solid cardboard boxes lined with packing paper.

  • Toys and games

  1. Wrap the children’s toys in a bubble wrap and put them in boxes. For small toys, you can use ziplock bags.
  2. Pack board games and puzzles in their boxes. If you don’t have the original boxes, you can pack them in solid carton boxes.

  • Desk, chairs, and other furniture

Pack the kids’ room desk and chairs the same way you pack the home office furniture.

  • Bed and mattress

Bed and mattresses should also be packed similarly to the bedroom furniture.

Once you’re finished with the kids’ stuff, it’s time to move on to the dining room if you have one.

7. Your Complete Dining Room Packing Checklist

Naturally, we must carefully pack the dining room and all of its “good china” and furniture, which is typically more expensive than the everyday stuff in the kitchen.

Include notes on packing materials you might need to protect the corners of mirrors, the legs of dining room chairs, cabinets, silverware, and dishware.

Here is a list of items for your dining room packing checklist:

  • Dining set (table, chairs)

1. Table

You need to detach the table legs and wrap them in bubble wrap separately. Secure them well with packing tape. Then, remove the tabletop and cover it with moving blankets.

2. Chairs

Use bubble wrap to pack the chair’s arms and legs. Then, wrap the entire chair in a moving blanket and secure it well with packing tape. 

  • Tableware (plates, glasses, silverware)

Tableware is highly fragile and should be packed appropriately. Use good-quality packing material to protect the plates, glasses, and silverware from breaking. Put it in a well-cushioned box and keep it vertically. Again, do not forget to label the box as Fragile.

  • Lamps

Remove the bulbs and wrap the cords and wires around the lamp’s base. Bubble wrap them and place them in a cushioned box. 

Unless you have a sprawling estate with multiple buildings, you should be in the home stretch of creating your room-by-room packing checklist.

8. Garage Packing Checklist: What To Include

Let’s not forget the house’s peripheral spaces: the garage and storage space, including attics and sheds.

If you have more than one of these storage areas, create a separate section for each or make subsections under a “Storage Spaces” heading.

Professional movers won’t transport certain items typically stored in garages, sheds, and storage spaces away from our living areas.

Identify which items you will pack for the truck and which you will move separately.

Must-have items for the garage packing checklist include:

  • Hand Tools (hammer, screwdriver, wrench)

Put all the hand tools, including the hammer, screwdriver, and wrench, and carefully bubble wrap them. Then, store them in a box. 

  • Outdoor equipment (lawn mower, gardening tools)

Disassemble the outdoor equipment, including a lawn mover and other gardening tools, as much as possible.

Bubble wrap or cover it with a moving blanket and store it in large boxes.

Remember to put the hand tools and outdoor equipment in separate boxes and label them to make them easier to unpack later.

  • Hazardous items

These items are often prohibited for transportation. Dispose of them properly before moving.

You’re nearly through making your room-by-room packing checklist. Are there any rooms we haven’t yet covered? We get to all of the “miscellaneous” rooms next.

9. Miscellaneous

Your home is as unique as you are, and you could have rooms that we haven’t yet covered. So, what do you have? 

A wine cellar full of vintage, collectible wines or A “man cave” full of memorabilia, a fully-stocked bar, furniture, and electronics!
Maybe your kids have a music room, or maybe your home has a larger-than-typical laundry room that deserves its own list.

Whatever it is, make sure it has space on the overall packing checklist.

Some of the miscellaneous spaces to cover include:

  • Pets (pet food, toys, bedding)
  • Bar room, wine cellar (bottles, racks, accessories)
  • Laundry room (soaps, appliances, hangers)
  • Special collections (artwork, antiques, memorabilia)
  • Woodworking shop (wood, tools, shop vac)
  • Music room (instruments, books, music stands, amplifiers)
  • Sunroom (solarium, conservatory
  • Library (books, furniture, lighting)
  • Outdoor spaces (BBQ, patio furniture, planters)
  • Home gym (Heavy equipment, yoga mats, weights)

Keep your room-by-room packing checklist updated and check the items on the list in the days before your moving day.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid While Packing

  • Not Labeling Boxes

This is the most common mistake people make; they forget to label the boxes when moving. While it may seem like extra work, it can make your life much easier while unpacking.

  • Overpacking the boxes

People often pack boxes too heavily, which can break items and make them hard to lift. Keep the weight manageable for an easier move.

  • Packing Fragile Items Carelessly

Not taking precautions while packing fragile items can result in their breakage during transit. Always seek the help of an expert mover to pack these items. If packing yourself, wrap the items with high-quality packing paper, bubble wrap, or towels for cushioning. Label the boxes as FRAGILE or HANDLE WITH CARE.

  • Mixing the items

Not following the room-by-room packing checklist and mixing items can make unpacking confusing and take more time.

  • Not using high-quality packing materials

Not using high-quality packing materials and spending on cheaper packing boxes and papers can lead to the breakage of the items. Invest in solid boxes, good-quality packing papers, bubble wrap, and packing tape to keep your items safe. You can recycle your boxes later if you feel, you’re running low on budget.

Conclusion: A Room-by-Room Packing Checklist is Crucial for Stress-Free Move

Ultimately, a room-by-room packing checklist is crucial for a hassle-free move, but how you format it and how detailed you make it is up to you.

An elegant and minimal checklist can be as effective as an exhaustive one.

Remember to label boxes clearly with their contents and the room to which they belong.

Creating an inventory list for each box is an extra step toward making unpacking easier.

Tailor the checklist to your specific home and needs, and remember to account for any unique or specialty rooms or spaces you have. Happy packing!

11. Frequently Asked Questions

1. How soon before moving should I begin packing

After creating a room-by-room packing checklist, start packing 6-8 weeks before your move date.

Starting early helps you avoid last-minute chaos.

Before you know it, moving day will be here, and you might still have a lot to pack.

Organize your items by room, pack them securely in separate boxes, and label each box clearly.

2. What should you avoid packing for a move?

Avoid packing all the stuff that is no longer essential to you.

Consider donating or throwing things that you no longer need.

Do not pack important documents, jewelry, and other valuable items you would not want to lose.

Hazardous materials and perishable food are forbidden for transportation. 

3. Should I load boxes or furniture first?

The heavier pieces of furniture, including the couches, dining table, and washers, should be loaded first, followed by the boxes. This will ensure proper weight distribution in the truck.

 4. Will movers take the unboxed items?

Movers can transport unboxed items, but to save time and money, it’s advisable to pack your belongings in boxes for easier loading.

You can let the movers handle fragile items like glassware and artwork, as they have the expertise to pack these safely.

5. How should I save space when packing for clothes

Use vacuum-sealed bags for large or bulky items like bedding or winter clothing. Wardrobe boxes are also a convenient option for hanging clothes to save time and space