How to Pack an Apartment for Moving: Complete Guide
Packing an apartment in New York City is a unique challenge — tight spaces, lots of stuff, and no room for error. This complete guide walks you through exactly how to pack every room of your NYC apartment efficiently and safely.
Packing Supplies You'll Need
4-Week Packing Timeline
4 Weeks Before
Gather supplies, create room-by-room inventory, start decluttering — donate or sell items you don't want to move.
3 Weeks Before
Pack items you rarely use: books, seasonal clothing, decorations, extra linens, and items in storage areas.
2 Weeks Before
Pack artwork, non-essential kitchen items, living room decorations, and most bedroom items.
1 Week Before
Pack remaining items except daily essentials. Prepare a 'first night' bag with essentials for move day.
Move Day
Pack remaining toiletries, final kitchen items, and electronics. Load your 'first night' bag last so it comes off first.
Room-by-Room Packing Guide
Kitchen
- → Pack non-essentials first (rarely used appliances, extra cookware)
- → Wrap dishes individually in packing paper — never stack without padding
- → Use small boxes for heavy items like pots and cast iron
- → Mark kitchen boxes 'Fragile' and 'This Side Up'
- → Pack a 'first night' kitchen box with coffee, paper plates, and utensils
Bedroom
- → Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes — they transfer directly to your closet
- → Pack off-season clothing in vacuum-seal bags to save space
- → Disassemble bed frames and label all hardware in a zip-lock bag
- → Wrap mirrors and artwork in stretch wrap then cardboard corners
Living Room
- → Disassemble large furniture — sofas, sectionals, and shelving units
- → Wrap TVs in their original boxes if available, or use TV boxes
- → Use blanket wrap for wood furniture to prevent scratches
- → Pack books in small boxes — heavy items in small quantities
Bathroom
- → Seal toiletries in zip-lock bags before packing to prevent leaks
- → Pack bathroom last — you'll need it until moving day
- → Use towels and linens as padding for fragile items
Labeling System That Works
Use a simple color-coding system: assign one marker color per room. Label every box on the top and two sides. Include:
- → Room name (e.g. Kitchen, Bedroom 1)
- → Brief contents (e.g. Pots & Pans, Winter Clothes)
- → Handling instructions (Fragile, Heavy, This Side Up)
- → Priority number (1 = unpack first, 3 = unpack last)
Don't Want to Pack? We'll Do It For You.
Every Season Moving offers full and partial packing services across all NYC boroughs. All materials included.