Labeling Moving Boxes: Tips for an Easy Move

Make Your NYC Move a Breeze with These Tips

Moving is a lot of work, and the work doesn’t stop once the professional movers have dropped off all of your stuff. Being confronted with a tower of boxes that are all full of stuff that needs to be put away can be overwhelming. Luckily there are moving hacks that can make life easier. Labeling your moving boxes properly can simplify the moving-in process significantly. Here’s what you need to know:

Figure Out Your Labeling Strategy Before You Start Packing & Get Necessary Supplies

For most household moves, this means getting stickers, colored tape, and permanent markers. Gather these materials at the same time you get your moving boxes and packing supplies. That way, you’ll have everything you need when you need it.

Color Coding Makes Life Simple

Assign each room a distinct color, such as red for the kitchen and blue for the bathroom. Use stickers and colored tape to mark each box and item that need to go into that room in your new place. Use colored tape to mark the rooms in your new place – this will help the movers move the boxes in quickly and efficiently.

What To Write on Your Boxes

Label each box with a description of the contents that is detailed enough to make moving in easier. For example, “Dishes” is adequate but is far less useful than “Coffee Mugs” – especially on that first morning before you’ve really unpacked and definitely need a cup of coffee. Label boxes with words like “Fragile”, “Heavy” and “This End Up” to help the movers treat your possessions appropriately.

Number Your Moving Boxes Using 1/n Format

Numbering your boxes makes it easy to keep track of your possessions, and to make sure everything has arrived at your new home safely. The easiest way to do this is to use 1/n format – for example Box 4/6 means this is the fourth box of a total of six. It is helpful to know how many boxes you have for each room and in total.

Label High Priority Moving Boxes

There will be items you need on your first night in your new home, such as bed linens and pajamas. Make sure the boxes that need to be unpacked immediately are labeled as a high priority. Some families choose to prioritize all of their moving boxes so that everyday items get unpacked before holiday decorations and books that need to be shelved.