Packing is the part of moving most people dread — and the part where small mistakes cause the most damage. Done well, good packing protects your belongings and makes unpacking painless. Done poorly, it leads to broken items and boxes you can't make sense of for weeks. Here are the packing strategies professional movers use, whether you're moving across [the metro Atlanta service area](/service-areas) or just across town.
Start With the Right Supplies
Gather sturdy boxes in a few sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap or packing paper, and markers. Don't overload large boxes — heavy items go in small boxes, light items in large ones. A box you can't lift is a box that breaks or hurts someone.
Pack Room by Room
Packing one room at a time keeps you organized and makes unpacking logical. Finish a room completely before moving to the next, and keep each room's boxes together.
Label Everything Clearly
Write the room and a short list of contents on every box — on the side, not just the top, so you can read it when boxes are stacked. Mark fragile boxes clearly on all sides.
Protect Fragile Items
Wrap dishes individually and stack them vertically like records, not flat. Fill empty space in every box so nothing shifts in transit. Use towels and linens as padding to save on materials.
Handle the Tricky Stuff
Electronics — photograph the cable setup before unplugging so you can reconnect easily · Wardrobe — wardrobe boxes let clothes hang and stay wrinkle-free · Valuables and documents — keep these with you, not on the truck · Essentials box — pack one box of first-night needs (toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes) and keep it accessible
What Your Moving Crew Can Help With
Plan to pack your own boxes ahead of moving day. Where the crew adds real value is with the furniture and specialty items: they wrap and blanket-pad furniture, disassemble and reassemble beds, dismount TVs, and can box up a few fragile items on request if you run short on time.
The Bottom Line
Good packing is about protection and organization: right-sized boxes, clear labels, padding in every gap, and an essentials box you keep close. Get those right and both the move and the unpack go smoothly.
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A rough rule: 10–15 boxes per room for a typical home, weighted toward small and medium sizes. A 1-bedroom apartment usually runs 30–50 boxes; a 3-bedroom home runs 80–120. Buy a few extra — running short mid-pack is the most common reason a move slows down.
Yes — towels, sheets, and clothing make excellent free padding for dishes, glassware, and electronics. It saves on packing paper and reduces the number of boxes you need. Just keep one box of bedding accessible for the first night.
Most Atlanta movers, including Bears Moving Co., expect customers to pack their own boxes. Where crews do help is with the physical furniture — wrapping and blanket-padding pieces, disassembling and reassembling beds, dismounting TVs, and boxing up a few fragile items on request. Budget your own time to pack boxes before the crew arrives.