Picture this.

You’re about to move to a beautiful new home, you’re picturing how you’re going to decorate it and furnish it…

And then you look around.

Since when did you have so much stuff? How are you supposed to pack it all? And how many boxes should you get? Do you even need boxes?

No need to worry. We got you covered. We have put together a list of the best types of containers you can use when moving.

#1) Use Tote Boxes when packing containers with liquid or clothing.

Tote boxes can be a good option for packing due to the fact that they are strong, water-resistant, and reusable. They are able to be sealed and to be stacked, which makes transporting them much easier. However, they can get quite heavy and can be difficult to carry items in, resulting in broken items. Not all items are designed to be packed in a tote box, especially fragile and/or heavy items. We recommend you put in liquid containers (in case they spill) or clothing (because they are light and easy to carry),

To summarize:

Pros: Strong, water-resistant, and reusable. Able to be sealed. Good for containers with liquid (like shampoo) and clothing.

Cons: Heavy and can be difficult to carry. Not suitable for fragile or heavy items.

#2) Use Plastic Bins for a cheaper version of the Tote Box.

If you’re looking for a more economical version of a tote box, try plastic bins! They are also water-resistant and reusable. However, since they all come in different sizes, they can be harder to stack. Not only that, but they also are not as strong as tote boxes, so very heavy items are not recommended. Miscellaneous items such as children’s toys and loose electronics can be packed in plastic bins for moving.

To summarize:

Pros: Water-resistant, and reusable. Good for liquid containers and clothing. More economical than Tote Boxes.

Cons: Not as strong as tote boxes, harder to stack.

#3) Use new Cardboard Boxes for packing books.

When in doubt, there’s the classic cardboard box. Light, easy to find, recyclable, collapsible, and a staple in moving, you can use cardboard boxes for packing just about anything. They are also easy to stack.

One word of warning though: they are not water-resistant so they are not good for liquid containers. They are also not weatherproof which means they can get wet easily in the rain. However, they are suitable for fragile items, and small boxes can be used for heavy items such as books.

To summarize:

Pros: Light, easy to find, recyclable, collapsable, easy to stack. Suitable for fragile or heavy items.

Cons: Not water-resistant or weather-proof, can get wet. Not suitable for items with liquid in them.

Read more: How to Pack Glassware and Wine Glasses

#4) Used Cardboard Boxes are a cheaper version of new Cardboard Boxes.

Perhaps the most economical container option to use to pack while moving, used cardboard boxes can be an excellent choice to move your items. They are usually offered for free, so you can either ask someone who has recently moved for their boxes or take a trip to the grocery store. You can also call your moving company, they might have boxes at an inexpensive price. However, keep in mind that these boxes will not be as clean as brand new ones. These boxes are also suitable for most items, including heavy ones like books (just use small boxes to avoid the box from getting too heavy).

To summarize:

Pros: Cheap, light, easy to find, recyclable, collapsable, easy to stack. Suitable for fragile or heavy items.

Cons: Not as clean as new ones. Not water-resistant or weather-proof can get wet. Not suitable for items with liquid in them.

#5) Wardrobe Boxes can be used to pack expensive clothing.

Have that beautiful designer dress or suit you’ve been cherishing? Not sure how to transport it without it getting wrinkled or even worse — ruined? Here’s how to pack clothing: try wardrobe boxes! They are designed to provide the ultimate protection for your most stylish, expensive clothing. These boxes protect your clothing from dust and wrinkles. Unpacking them is easy too since they go from the box to the wardrobe straight away with hangers due to having a built-in hanger rod in the box. However, with the best protection comes a price: these boxes run about $15 to $25 each and can be bulky when transporting.

To summarize:

Pros: Protects clothing from dust and wrinkles. Easy to pack and unpack.

Cons: Expensive (about $15-$25 each) and hard to stack.

#6) Original Packaging/Boxes can be great for packing electronics or kitchen appliances.

If you remember to keep them, original packaging/boxes can be an excellent choice to pack kitchen appliances and large electronics. They can protect the original items the way they were meant to be protected — just like when you’ve bought them. However, when not being used, they can take up extra space in your house and are not a great choice if you live in a small apartment or don’t have a storage locker. Not only that, but you also can’t really use them to store other items since the size is made for that specific electronic or appliance. They also come in different sizes so they can be harder to stack.

To summarize:

Pros: Easy to find (comes with the item), made to protect the items perfectly.

Cons: Can take up space when not being used, harder to stack.

#7) Garbage Bags and Other Bags are a cheap solution for packing bedding and other soft things.

 

The last one is a little hack for you. When packing soft beddings, pillows, cushions, or even some clothing, use garbage bags or other bags! They are cheap, light, and easy to find. However, because they’re made of such thin material, they can break, exposing your items to dust, dirt, and moisture. They are also harder to stack, taking up space in your car or truck.

To summarize:

Pros: Cheap, light, easy to find.

Cons: Can break easily and harder to stack.

The Verdict:

These are the best containers you can use to pack your items and the pros and cons of each one. Which one do you usually use to pack your items?