Surprisingly, the type of box you use to pack your belongings in before you move matters. Of course, you can always just dump your things into any old box and call it good, but that’s a recipe for disaster. There’s a reason why moving and storage companies sell a variety of box sizes and shapes that are specifically designed for different purposes and it’s not just to make more money. They really do make a difference in keeping your belongings as safe as possible.
Small Cardboard Boxes
Small cardboard moving boxes usually measure 16 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches in size. They are meant to hold a small number of items so that you don’t make a box too heavy by overloading it with too many of the same item. For example, books should be packed in a small cardboard box instead of any other size because putting too many books in one box makes the box extremely heavy. Small boxes are also ideal for fragile items like glassware and ceramics so you can pack them separately with lots of padding.
Medium Cardboard Boxes
Medium cardboard boxes usually measure 18 inches by 18 inches by 16 inches and are the most common size of box used in moving. They’re used to hold a wide range of household goods from the contents of drawers to linens, knicknacks, and small appliances. These boxes are good for things that can be packed tightly together without causing damage.
Large Cardboard Boxes
Large cardboard boxes usually measure 24 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches and should only contain bulky lightweight items like comforters, pillows, and clothing. It can be tempting to use large boxes for everything because then you’ll need fewer boxes, but the danger in that is making them too heavy to lift. It’s better to have more boxes than overloaded large boxes.
Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are specialty boxes that are specifically designed to transport hanging clothing like suits, dresses, and coats. These boxes have a bar across the top that is meant for hangers so that you don’t even have to remove your articles of clothing from their hangers to pack them. They are usually 24 inches by 24 inches by 40 inches in size to accommodate the length of hanging clothes.
Dish Boxes
Dish boxes are excellent options for packing up your plates, bowls, and other glass or porcelain dishes. These boxes are typically 18 inches by 18 inches by 27 inches in size and are partitioned and padded to hold and protect fragile dishes. You can also use dish boxes for glassware of any kind so that you don’t have to invest in additional packing material like peanuts and bubble wrap.
Mirror Boxes
Mirror boxes, as you would expect, are designed to protect and transport large, flat items like mirrors. These boxes come in various sizes so that you can select the one that fits your mirror or other fragile hanging items like wall art and framed pictures.
Conclusion
It does cost more to purchase boxes designed for a specific purpose, but if you’re truly worried about keeping your belongings safe during a move, it’s an investment worth making.
