How many moving boxes do you need? Almost everyone underestimates it. Halfway through packing, the pile has run out and you are out fetching boxes in the evening. A few rules of thumb get you a lot closer to the right number. Do treat them as a guideline though: some households simply have a lot more stuff than others.
Rules of thumb by home size
These numbers assume an averagely furnished home, with standard moving boxes:
- Studio or student room: about 10 to 20 boxes.
- One-bedroom flat: about 20 to 35 boxes.
- Two-bedroom home: about 35 to 50 boxes.
- Three-bedroom family home: about 50 to 70 boxes.
- Large home with four or more bedrooms: 70 boxes or more.
Another way to calculate is per room: allow 10 to 15 boxes for an average room, and more for the kitchen and a full loft.
What means more boxes?
Go for the top end of the estimate if you:
- have a lot of books, records or collections;
- have a full kitchen with lots of crockery, pans and supplies;
- have a loft, shed or garage with things in cupboards and on shelves;
- have lived at the same address for a long time;
- have children, with toys, craft supplies and clothes in different sizes;
- have hobby things or work materials.
On the other hand, you need fewer boxes if you have a good clear-out beforehand. Every box you do not have to pack, you do not have to unpack either. In decluttering before you move you can read how to go about it.
What kinds of boxes do you need?
The number is one thing, the type is just as important.
- Small boxes for heavy items: books, crockery, tins, tools.
- Standard moving boxes for most things.
- Large boxes for light, bulky items: cushions, duvets, soft toys.
- Wardrobe boxes with a rail, so you can hang clothes straight from the wardrobe into them.
- Dividers or special boxes for glasses and bottles.
A common mistake is buying too many large boxes. Filled with books, they get so heavy that they can no longer be lifted, or the bottom tears.
Worked example
Say you are moving out of a three-bedroom family home. Then you could calculate like this:
- Kitchen: 12 to 15 boxes, half of them small for crockery and supplies.
- Living room: 10 to 15 boxes, depending on books and decorations.
- Bedrooms: 6 to 10 boxes per room, plus wardrobe boxes.
- Bathroom: 2 to 4 boxes.
- Loft, shed and storage room: 10 to 20 boxes, sometimes many more.
That quickly brings you to between 50 and 80 boxes. Add a few extra for the last things you find on moving day.
Tips to get it right
- Start packing in a room you rarely use, such as the loft. That way you soon see how many boxes you really need.
- Buy or get boxes in two rounds: a basic supply first, then order more once you have an overview.
- Fill each box completely, so it stays sturdy when stacked.
- Keep a few boxes aside for the first day: a box with things you will need straight away.
- After the move, keep a few good boxes for storage or for next time.
You can read how to fill the boxes smartly in packing smart. For fragile items there is a separate step-by-step guide: packing glasses and crockery.
A better estimate for your home
A rule of thumb is a start, but someone who sees your home can estimate much better what is needed. In the free moving check, GD Verhuisbedrijf looks with you at what needs to be moved.
Frequently asked questions
How many moving boxes do you need for a flat?
For a one-bedroom flat you usually need between 20 and 35 boxes. With two bedrooms, about 35 to 50. If you have a lot of books or kitchen items, allow for more.
How many moving boxes do you need per room?
A common rule of thumb is 10 to 15 boxes per room. The kitchen and a full loft or shed often need more.
Is it better to get too many or too few boxes?
Better a few too many. Running out of boxes while packing costs more time and stress than a few boxes left over.
