Want to know how to pack for a move the way the pros do it? After years on the trucks around Wollongong and the Illawarra, I can tell you that packing is the part that makes or breaks a move. Do it well and moving day is fast, calm and cheap. Do it badly and you’ll pay for it — in broken gear, wasted hours and a bigger bill. So here’s exactly how we tell our own customers to pack, room by room, using the method that actually works.
This isn’t a generic checklist. It’s the real system, including the one labelling trick that saves you the most time and money.
The golden rule: label your boxes the right way
Before you pack a single box, you need to decide how you’re going to label them — and the right answer depends on whether you’re storing your things or moving house. This one decision saves more time than anything else.
If you’re storing long-term: label by your current rooms
If your things are going into storage for a while, label each box based on the current room layout — for example Room 1, Room 2, Kids, Electronics, and so on. This way, if you’re storing them for a long time and later need to access them, you’ll know exactly where everything was and can put it back easily. Pairing this with our furniture storage in Wollongong makes finding things later effortless.
If you’re moving house: label by the new rooms
If you’re moving to a new house, label your boxes for where the items are going in the new place — like Master Bedroom, Room 1, Kitchen, Lounge. This is crucial because it saves time: rather than us asking you where each box should go, we can just place it right away. That speeds up the move, reduces labour time, and ultimately lowers the cost for you.
And for the items you’re unsure about? Mark them as Garage or Lounge so you can sort them later without holding up the truck.
Before you start packing
Get set up properly and the whole job goes quicker.
- Declutter first. Don’t pay to move what you’ll never use — sell, donate or bin it before you pack. Our things to do before you move checklist walks you through it.
- Get the right supplies: sturdy boxes in a few sizes, packing tape, butcher’s paper, bubble wrap, marker pens and a roll of large plastic bags.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in big ones — it saves backs and stops boxes bursting.
- Start with the rooms you use least and work towards the kitchen and bedrooms last.
Room-by-room packing guide
Bedrooms
Start by stripping the beds. Disassemble the bed frames and keep the screws taped to the frame — that way nothing goes missing and reassembly at the other end takes minutes. For clothes, you’ve got two easy options: either tie them up in large plastic bags (great for soft, non-crushable items) or use portable wardrobes so your hanging clothes go straight from one wardrobe to the next, no folding or creasing.
Kids’ rooms
Keep it simple: keep the kids’ toys in a single box labelled “Kids”. It keeps everything together, makes the new room quick to set up, and means the little ones can find their favourites fast on the first night.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the fiddliest room, so give it time. Wrap glassware and crockery individually in paper, pack plates standing on their edge (they’re stronger that way), and fill gaps with tea towels so nothing rattles. Label the box “Kitchen” and mark anything fragile clearly.
Lounge & living areas
Box up books, decorations and the bits and pieces first. For electronics, take a quick photo of the cables before you unplug the TV so it’s easy to set up again, then wrap screens in a blanket or bubble wrap. Label these “Lounge” or “Electronics”.
Bathroom & laundry
Bin the half-empty bottles, seal any liquids in plastic bags so they can’t leak, and keep a small “first night” box with toiletries, towels and toilet paper that travels with you.
Garage & odds and ends
This is where the “I’m not sure” items live. Mark them “Garage” and sort them once you’re in. Remember, removalists can’t carry hazardous items like gas bottles, petrol or paint — use them up or drop them at your council’s waste point.
How good packing saves you money
Here’s the honest truth from our side of the truck: a well-packed, clearly labelled home loads faster and unloads faster. Because we charge for time, every box that’s sealed, sorted and labelled by room is money back in your pocket. That’s the whole point of the system — it keeps everything organised, easy to access and efficient, saving you both time and money. If you’d rather hand the whole job over, our packing services in Wollongong can do it all for you.
Frequently asked questions
How should I label boxes when moving house?
Label them by the room they’re going to in the new house — Master Bedroom, Kitchen, Lounge and so on — so the removalists can place each box straight in the right room. That saves time and lowers your bill. If you’re storing instead, label by your current rooms so you can find things later.
What’s the best way to pack clothes for moving?
Either tie soft clothes in large plastic bags, or use portable wardrobes for anything on hangers so it goes straight across without folding.
How do I pack a bed for moving?
Disassemble the frame and tape the screws and bolts directly to the frame so nothing gets lost — it makes putting it back together quick and easy.
How far ahead should I start packing?
Start 2–3 weeks out with the rooms you barely use, and leave the kitchen and bedrooms until last. The earlier you start, the calmer moving day is.
Get a hand with your move
Packing yourself but want a reliable crew for the heavy lifting? Or want us to pack the whole house for you? Tell us about your move and we’ll send an honest quote. Fill in the form below or call our Wollongong team on 1300 015 050.
