How many boxes do I need to pack a 3 bedroom house?

Packing up an entire house for a move can be an overwhelming task. With so many rooms and belongings to organize and transport, it’s difficult to know where to start. One of the first steps is determining how many boxes you’ll need to pack everything up. This allows you to plan ahead and ensure you have enough boxes and packing supplies on hand.

How Much Stuff Needs to be Packed?

When estimating how many boxes you need, you first need to take stock of everything that needs to be packed up. For a 3 bedroom house, this generally includes:

  • Furniture from 3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, family room, etc.
  • Kitchen items including dishes, pots/pans, small appliances, pantry food
  • Bathroom items such as towels, toiletries, medications
  • Clothing and shoes from bedroom closets and dressers
  • Linens such as bedding, curtains, pillows
  • Electronics like TVs, computers, gaming consoles
  • Small household decor, books, CDs/DVDs
  • Tools, outdoor items, holiday decorations

For most 3 bedroom homes, the average number of total rooms to pack is roughly 10-15. This includes the bedrooms, living spaces, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and any offices/dens. The quantity of possessions in each room will vary based on the size of the home and how much stuff is packed inside!

Estimating Boxes Per Room

Once you’ve identified the rooms that need packing, it’s time to estimate boxes per room. This requires taking a room-by-room inventory of furniture and belongings. For standard sized bedrooms, here are the average number of boxes needed:

  • Master bedroom: 15-20 boxes
  • 2nd & 3rd bedrooms: 10-15 boxes each
  • Living room: 10-15 boxes
  • Kitchen: 10-20 boxes
  • Dining room: 5-10 boxes
  • Family room: 10-15 boxes
  • Bathrooms: 3-5 boxes each
  • Laundry room: 5-8 boxes
  • Office/den: 10-15 boxes
  • Garage & outdoor items: 10-20 boxes

This rough estimate gets you in the ballpark of how many boxes are needed per room. Rooms like kitchens and bedrooms tend to require more boxes because of the quantity of belongings packed inside. Once you’ve estimated boxes per room, you can multiply it out to get a total box count for the entire house.

Calculating Total Boxes Needed

Based on the room estimates above, here is an example calculation of total boxes needed for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1500 sq ft house:

Room Estimated Boxes Needed
Master bedroom 20
2nd bedroom 12
3rd bedroom 15
Living room 15
Kitchen 15
Dining room 8
Family room 10
Bathroom 1 4
Bathroom 2 4
Laundry room 7
Office 12
Garage & outdoor 15
Total Boxes 137

Based on this sample packing list, you would need approximately 137 standard sized moving boxes to pack the entire contents of the house.

Adjusting for Box Sizes

When determining how many moving boxes you need, you also need to account for using different sized boxes. While standard medium boxes are good for general packing, other sized boxes are useful for specific items:

  • Large and extra large boxes – bulky furniture like mattresses, dressers, large lamps
  • Medium boxes – most general household and clothing items
  • Small boxes – books, kitchen items, bathroom accessories
  • Dishpack boxes – fragile items like plates and glassware
  • Wardrobe boxes – heavy clothing and suits
  • Picture boxes – framed photos, paintings, mirrors
  • File boxes – important documents, files, papers

You’ll need a range of different sized boxes when packing. Here’s a sample breakdown of extra boxes you may need beyond the standard medium ones:

  • 10-15 large/extra large boxes
  • 5-10 small boxes
  • 5 dishpack boxes
  • 2 wardrobe boxes
  • 5-10 picture/file boxes

Be sure to purchase extra specialized boxes in addition to your medium sized box quantity. This will provide packing flexibility and prevent you from running out of the right sized boxes during packing.

Ordering Your Moving Boxes

Once you’ve estimated the total number of moving boxes needed for your 3 bedroom house, it’s time to place your supply order! Here are some tips:

  • Order your boxes 2-3 weeks in advance of your move date.
  • Purchase an extra 10% over your estimate to be safe.
  • Get free delivery so boxes are on hand when you need them.
  • Open and break down boxes as soon as they arrive so they are ready to use.
  • Stack boxes in rooms where they will be used for packing convenience.

Investing in quality moving boxes and having extras on hand will help make your packing experience smoother. Order early so you can focus on packing rather than running out to buy more boxes at the last minute!

Alternative Packing Options

In addition to traditional cardboard boxes, you can save money by repurposing items around your home for packing:

  • Use suitcases for clothing and linen items.
  • Pack dishes and glasses in clean laundry baskets padded with towels and linens.
  • Wrap artwork and mirrors in blankets and moving pads.
  • Use plastic storage bins for toys, outdoor items, tools.
  • Pack shoes loose in garbage bags.
  • Use cleaned out cat litter buckets for bathroom items like shampoos and cleaners.

Getting creative with packing containers can supplement your cardboard box needs. But you will still need boxes for the bulk of possessions in a 3 bedroom home. Estimate generously, order early, and enlist friends to save spare boxes for you.

Hiring Movers vs Moving Yourself

An advantage of hiring professional movers for packing and moving day is not having to worry about boxes and logistics. Reputable moving companies will provide all required supplies, do the packing/unpacking, load the truck efficiently using dollies and equipment, and get your furniture and boxes securely to the new home. This removes the stress of estimating boxes, packing, and moving it all yourself.

However, hiring movers can get expensive. If you’re moving yourself, accurate box estimating and preparation will make the process smoother. Having a friend or family member assist with packing and moving day is also hugely helpful. Determine what level of support you’ll need and budget accordingly. Don’t underestimate the box requirements – packing always takes longer than expected!

Packing Tips To Maximize Your Boxes

To get the most use out of your moving boxes, utilize these packing tips:

  • Disassemble furniture to pack flat in boxes whenever possible.
  • Pack a room at a time and label boxes by room.
  • Fill boxes completely before sealing.
  • Pack heavier items on bottom, lighter items on top.
  • Use rolled up clothing and linens to pad bottom and sides of boxes.
  • Tape bottom and top of boxes, wrap tape around sides.
  • Number your boxes and keep a list of what is packed inside each.

Packing strategically will allow your boxes to be sturdy and maximize space during the move. Taking inventory of box contents will let you stay organized so you can easily find what you need later.

Specialty Packing Supplies

In addition to boxes, stock up on these supplies:

  • Packing Paper: Wrapping fragile items or filling empty space.
  • Bubble wrap: Extra protection for fragile items.
  • Foam peanuts: Cushion packed boxes and prevent items shifting.
  • Packing tape: Secure boxes closed and reinforce seams.
  • Permanent marker: Label boxes with room names and numbers.
  • Scissors/box cutter: Cut tape and break down boxes.
  • Notebook: Record what is packed in each numbered box.

Having the right supplies on hand makes packing roadblocks smoother. Invest in quality bubble wrap, tape, and markers to keep your belongings protected during the move.

Conclusion

Estimating how many boxes are needed for moving is an important planning step. Breaking down the project room-by-room helps identify your total packing requirements. Be sure to add a buffer of extra boxes over your estimate to avoid coming up short. Use a mix of specialty and standard sized boxes to maximize packing efficiency. Follow tips like filling boxes completely, labeling, and keeping an inventory list. With the right supplies and preparation, you can pack up even a large 3 bedroom house smoothly.

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