When you're moving, moving boxes end up becoming your best friend. They’re a great resource when properly used because they safely hold your items as you move from point A to point B. To learn more about moving boxes, and what to put into them, read on.

Why Do I Need to Use Moving Boxes?

If you’re moving, you might pack things up in Amazon boxes, plastic totes, and even trash bags. While those work well and have their own purposes, using moving boxes primarily will help you out considerably.

Moving boxes are surprisingly sturdy and can hold quite a few items in them. They come in different sizes and even specialties. Boxes can range in size from small to extra-large, and there are moving boxes for your wardrobe, flat-screen TV, kitchenware, and there are even boxes for your lamps.

What we like about using boxes instead of plastic totes is that boxes stack much easier than totes do. Plastic tends to crack under pressure. When you load up a plastic tote you may likely make the tote overweight. That can cause cracking and breaking in the plastic, making your items considerably less secure. Cardboard boxes won’t crack when it’s overweight, and they can very easily stack.

What To Put in Moving Boxes

What you put in your moving boxes is largely dependent on what size box you use. Let’s go over what to put in different sized boxes:

Small Moving Boxes

Small moving boxes are not only great for smaller items, but most can carry up to 60 pounds. That makes them great for small heavy items such as small appliances, bedding, and even glassware. Here’s what we recommend you put in a small moving box:

• Books
• Kitchen glassware
• Small appliance
• Toaster, clock, radio, air fryer, etc.
• Bedsheet set
• Decorative knick-knacks
• Some tools
• DVDs
• Canned food items
• Jewelry
• Vases
• Fine china

We absolutely recommend using small boxes for books since it limits what you can fit in your box. If you put books in larger boxes, you’re liable to break either the box or your back.

Medium Moving Boxes

You will primarily be using medium-sized moving boxes during your move. These boxes are great for items that aren’t too heavy or bulky. We like using medium boxes because they offer the sturdiness of a small box while giving the room to fit more items. Here are just a few items you can put in medium boxes:

• Small appliances
• Electronics
• Game consoles, DVD players, VHS players, computer parts
• DVDs
• Video games
• Clothing
• This includes sweatshirts, t-shirts, pants, heavy jackets, etc.
• Toys
• Tupperware

Medium boxes can also fit other items as well. Just be sure not to overload your box to avoid breaking it (and yourself!).

Large Moving Boxes

Large moving boxes are great for bulky, lightweight items. Keep in mind you don’t want to load down your heavy boxes since they can get difficult to move. Here are some things you can put into a large box:

• Stuffed animals
• Clothes
• Pillows
• Bedding sets
• Comforter, blankets, etc.
• Towels
• Lampshades
• Curtains

Extra Large Boxes

Just as with large boxes, it is recommended that you only put lightweight bulky items in extra-large moving boxes. Here are some items we recommend for extra-large boxes:

• Comforters
• Couch cushions
• Blankets
• Quilts
• Winter clothes

Overall, putting heavy things in large boxes isn’t a great idea so sticking to fluffier, lightweight objects is best. Cushions, blankets, and pillows will work best in these boxes because they take up quite a bit of room, but are low on weight.