The Boxing Unboxing - A DELIGHTFUL Directive

Packing is one of the biggest headaches one can face during a move, and it can’t be avoided. Rooms full of loose knick-knacks, huge pieces of furniture, and personal wardrobes all present their own packing challenges. When moving to a new home, nothing is more crucial than having the right supplies on-hand to complete the task of packing.

Out of all the moving supplies you'll need for your move, moving boxes are probably the most important. Fortunately, many different kinds of moving boxes exist to make your life (and your move) easier. From corrugated, cardboard boxes to large, wooden crates, there’s a moving box available to fit every little thing in your home. Some boxes are created in a specific size to carry up to a certain weight, whilst others are created to carry bigger weights and be able to withstand heavier loads.

The first step, of course, is to take an inventory of your belongings. Then you'll know what kind of moving boxes - and how many of each - to acquire. For a quick run-down on the different kinds of moving boxes, you should purchase when moving to a new home, check out our comprehensive list below.

The Size Advantage

The one thing that differentiates all boxes is their size. Three in all, they are: Small, Medium and Large.

Small Size Boxes

The average size of a small box is a volume of 1.5 Cubic Feet. Although in size they are very small, they are perfect to pack items such as:

• CD's
• DVD's
• Canned food
• Spices
• Small fragile items
• Glassware
• Crockery

Possibly the greatest benefit to using smaller boxes is that although there may be a larger number of them, they are highly mobile and easy to carry.

Medium Size Boxes

Medium-sized boxes are twice the size of the relatively small-sized boxes, a volume of 3.0 Cubic Feet. These are perfect for packing larger items as they can withstand a heavier load a lot easier. These can be used to carry items such as:

• Bed Linen
• Appliances
• Slightly Larger Crockery
• Clothing
• Hobbies (Toys, models, etc.)
• Electronic Devices

Large Size Boxes

With a volume ranging from 4.5 Cubic Feet to 6.0 Cubic Feet, these boxes are designed to help pack larger items which won't fit in the smaller boxes. They are able to withstand the heaviest of loads that the other sizes simply cannot. The ideal items for this type of boxes are:

• Lamps
• Files
• Board games
• Books

An added advantage is that you are able to pack more items, but you still need to be careful not to overload as the bottom part can give way if the load is too heavy.

The Specialists

As in any other field, even in boxes, there are specialists that are designed for a specific purpose. For those niche belongings of yours that demand their own specialized packing, these boxes would be perfect!

Wardrobe Boxes

Planning on moving hanging clothes? If the answer is yes, then you'll most certainly need several wardrobe boxes to carry your dresses and suits. These boxes provide an excellent way to transport hanging clothes without wrinkling them along the way. Wardrobe boxes come with sturdy metal hanging bars - making it easy to hang clothes inside.

Telescope Boxes

If you're moving artwork, mirrors or even flat-screen TVs, these Telescope boxes should be more than up for the job. These cardboard boxes come with a separate top and bottom piece that fit together to form one box. You simply slide the smaller piece into the larger one until the entire item is protected by the box. These boxes are ideal for preventing cracks and damage to fragile, flat household goods.

Flat Panel TV Boxes

Although Telescope boxes do well, there are specialized boxes to ensure proper relocation of your high-end flat-screen Television screen. These cardboard boxes are ideal for holding both LED and plasma flat screens. Flat-panel TV boxes are typically long, rectangular-shaped cardboard boxes. Each flat panel TV box should show that the contents are Fragile with a "This Way Up" indication in order to protect your TV while in transit.

Plastic Bins

Air-tight plastic bins are the way to go when it comes to packing seasonal clothing, electrical items, cords, and fragile items. These bins are also perfect for anyone who plans to store belongings after the move. Given that they are clear, you'll be able to find specific items quicker when packing with plastic bins. The waterproof material also protects belongings from rain and inclement weather when moving.

Bankers Boxes

Moving your office? From file folders and binders to pens and papers, your office supplies should be moved using bankers boxes. These cardboard boxes come with handles and lift-off lids for easy moving of all paper items. They are also stackable, making it easy to organize your office items before and after a move.

Dish and Glassware Boxes

Dish and glassware kits are the easiest and most efficient way to pack plates, wine glasses and other stemware pieces. These kits usually include one small or medium-sized cardboard box and a set of cardboard dividers that fit right into the box. The dividers are designed to separate and protect fragile items while also maximizing space inside the box.

Lamp Boxes

Tall floor lamps can be tricky to move. Not only are floor lamps prone to breaking, but they're also difficult to pack because of the large size and unique shape. Enter lamp boxes. These tall and narrow cardboard lamp boxes allow you to pack and ship a floor lamp in the most efficient way possible. Floor lamp boxes help ensure that your lamp base makes it to its new home safely and securely.

Insulated Foam Containers

Need to move refrigerated and/or frozen items? In addition to a cooler, we recommend ordering several insulated foam containers to help carry the load. These foam containers are inserted inside a cardboard box and are covered with a foam lid. They are designed to keep items temperature-controlled while traveling.

Wooden Crates

Plan to move large, valuable items such as artwork, sculptures or antiques? You may need a heavy-duty, wooden crate to ship your items to the new home. Wooden crate panels are typically made of thick plywood and are secured with steel clips. The crate also comes with a removable panel for loading and unloading.

Mattress Boxes

In many cases, a mattress bag simply doesn't cut it when it comes to properly protect your all-important bed accessory. If your mattress is going to be loaded into a moving truck and/or into storage for a long period of time, we highly recommend investing in a quality mattress box. These cardboard boxes help mattresses to stay in tip-top condition during the transit.

Corrugated Boxes

This is a sturdy corrugated carton of double-wall construction suited for all breakables. Use them to pack your chinaware, dishes, crystal, and glassware. You may also want to use cellular dividers inside the carton as an extra measure of protection.

Mirror Boxes

Mirrors are one of the largest and most important glassware in any house. The last thing you'd want during a move is a cracked mirror on your hands. Even if you aren't superstitious, using a mirror box for your mirrors, glass tabletops and large pictures really is the sensible thing to do.