How to Label Moving Boxes – 6 Simple Steps to Follow

There’s no size-fits-all approach to organising moving labels for boxes, but there are some tried and tested methods you can adapt to suit your needs and preferences.

1. Make an inventory of your items

We’d highly recommend that you make an inventory of the things you need to pack and move. We’d also suggest doing this digitally and saving a copy on the cloud – if you do it by hand, you risk losing the piece of paper.

Keeping an inventory will make it easier for you to track missing items. Write down all the items you need to pack, one room at a time. When you pack it, tick it off the list and write down which box it’s in (use the colour or number method as explained below).

2. Know WHEN to label

It might seem a little silly, but it is a must to know when to label your boxes. The general rule is this: don’t label your box before you’ve packed it. It can be tempting to label a box to fill it with your belongings later on but don’t.

Similarly, avoid labelling your boxes hours or days after you’ve packed and sealed them. With so much going on, there’s no way you’ll remember what’s inside. The best time to label a box is straight after you’ve packed and sealed it with strong packing tape.

3. Use colour-coded labelling…

You might decide to go down the colour-coded boxes route when labelling your moving boxes. This labelling system is especially popular with visual thinkers and works like this:

• Choose a colour for each room, e.g. kitchen = orange, bathroom = blue
• Once you’ve packed a box, label it with its appropriate colour using a colour marker pen, colour tape or a colour label
• Mark the colour next to the items on your inventory
• Place the colour paper on the doors of each room in your new home. This will make it easier for whoever’s unloading your boxes to put them in the right place.

4….Or the number system

Try the super simple numbering approach if colour coding isn’t for you. Both approaches work well whether you’re moving straight into your new place or are planning to place your items into a short-term storage facility first.

Just write a number on the box and the room it belongs in.

For example, Box 1: living room; Box 2: loft; Box 3: spare bedroom, and so on.

Be sure to label the box number after each item on your inventory list; if you organised your inventory list on a room-by-room basis, even better!

Pro tip: Label or number each box on the top and at least one side so that its exact destination is visible when the time comes for you to unpack.

5. Label boxes containing fragile items

Fragile items need a little extra TLC to minimise breakage risk.

Be sure to wrap each item individually with extra paper or bubble wrap before placing it in the box. Use bubble wrap or old fabrics (e.g. towels) to fill any gaps.

As well as colour coding or numbering your boxes that contain fragile items, put a label on each side of the box that says: FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE”.

You should also indicate which side of the box should face upwards. This will remind you and your moving company to move the box with extra care and avoid getting them wet or dirty.

6. Prepare a priority box

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll do all your unpacking the day you move.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to prepare a “priority box” that you can open on the first night in your new home. This could contain essentials or things to make you feel at home. While we can’t tell you exactly what to pack, here are a few ideas:

• Toiletries, e.g. toothbrush and soap.
• Pyjamas and teddy bears for the kids.
• Snacks and a bottle of wine.

Again, don’t forget to label your priority box with what’s inside!