What to Pack in an Essentials Box for Moving

There are so many elements of the essentials box for moving that make it a stressful event. You need to organize your entire home into a few boxes, set a date with the moving company to help you load your belongings into a truck that can fit it all, and hope nothing gets damaged along the way, only to get to your new home and spend days unpacking.

According to a recent study from L&G, 47% of people say moving is the most stressful event in their lives.

How To Pack An Essentials Box

Your essentials box for moving should be packed before any other box so that you can easily find these items when you need to. We recommend spending a few days or even weeks taking notes of what you use the most daily before packing a box for each room. You'll want to be able to easily grab the items necessary to make a meal or two, take a shower, and get a good night's rest in your new home.

Packing some basic cleaning products and tools can also come in handy. In the scenario that the moving company doesn't deliver your belongings on time, you'll be glad you took the time to pack your essential boxes. Read on to learn what items to pack!

General

If you opt to only pack one box, these are the must-have items that we recommend grabbing first.

• All-purpose cleaners
• Dish towel or cloth
• Toilet paper
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Garbage bags
• Basic tool kit
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Coffee maker and coffee
• Jar or pasta sauce and pasta
• Peanut butter and jam
• Utensils, cups, and plates for everyone in the family
• All-purpose cutting knife
• Scissors
• Bathroom toiletries
• A change of clothing and towel for everyone in the family
• Important records such as passports, financial information (anything you don't want to lose)

Personal

Each member of your family will have different items they need. We recommend including:

• Glasses or contact lenses with contact lens solution
• A change of clothing and pajamas
• Bedding
• Towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Cosmetics and personal hygiene items
• Prescription medications
• Electronic devices including phones, laptops, chargers, etc.

Kitchen

You'll likely end up ordering food for a few meals, but if your kitchen items take longer to arrive than expected, you'll want to have some kitchen basics to prepare homemade meals for the entire family.

• Dish soap and dish towel
• Paper towels
• Coffee maker and coffee
• Mugs for each member of the family
• Salt, pepper, and sugar
• Pasta and pre-made pasta sauce
• Small pots, bowls, plates, and utensils
• Snacks and beverages

Bedrooms

If you've ever experienced difficulty sleeping in a new location, you're not alone. Your brain tends to stay alert in new places, so making sure you have your basic comforts will help you adjust to your new environment. For each bedroom, we suggest packing:

• Bedding
• Pillows
• Several changes of clothes
• Pajamas
• Electronic devices including phones, laptops, chargers, etc.
• Curtains for privacy

Bathroom

Instead of going out to purchase new toiletries, you can bring what you already had. Don't forget to pack:

• Toilet paper
• Shower curtain
• Towels for each family member
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush (and maybe a hair dryer)
• Cosmetics and personal hygiene items
• Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner
• Glasses or contact lenses and lens solution

Always Be Prepared For Your Move

With some planning, your essentials boxes for moving will make a big difference in how you experience your first few nights in your new home. Hiring a reputable and reliable moving company to safely transport your belongings to your new home is also essential to a smooth move. 

NL Wilson Moving & Storage has been serving the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area since 1965. Where most people find moving to be stressful, we've made it our job! When you hire NL Wilson to move your home, you can rest assured that we'll always get the job done right, so that all you have to do is prepare your essentials boxes. Contact us today for a moving quote!