"How many boxes for moving?" gets you answers from 20 to 200 for the same apartment. Online calculators say "1.5 boxes per square foot" (meaningless). Box companies push 100-box packages (profitable for them). After packing thousands of LA moves, here's the real formula: your actual box needs based on what you own, not what sellers want you to buy.
The Real Numbers by Home Size
Studio apartment (400-500 sq ft):
- Small boxes: 10-12
- Medium boxes: 8-10
- Large boxes: 2-4
- Wardrobe boxes: 1-2
- Total: 20-30 boxes
1-bedroom (600-750 sq ft):
- Small boxes: 15-20
- Medium boxes: 15-20
- Large boxes: 5-8
- Wardrobe boxes: 2-3
- Total: 40-50 boxes
2-bedroom (900-1,100 sq ft):
- Small boxes: 25-30
- Medium boxes: 25-30
- Large boxes: 8-12
- Wardrobe boxes: 3-4
- Total: 60-80 boxes
3-bedroom house (1,500+ sq ft):
- Small boxes: 40-50
- Medium boxes: 35-45
- Large boxes: 15-20
- Wardrobe boxes: 4-6
- Total: 100-120 boxes
Room-by-Room Breakdown
Kitchen (most boxes):
- 1-2 boxes per cabinet
- 2 boxes for pantry
- 2-3 for dishes
- 1-2 for pots/pans
- 1 for utensil drawers
- Kitchen total: 12-20 boxes
Bedroom:
- 3-4 for dresser contents
- 2-3 for closet (non-hanging)
- 1 wardrobe box for hanging
- 1-2 for shoes
- 1 for bedside items
- Bedroom total: 8-12 boxes
Living room:
- 2-3 for entertainment center
- 3-4 for books (small boxes!)
- 1-2 for decorations
- 1 for electronics
- Living room total: 7-10 boxes
Bathroom:
- 1-2 for under sink
- 1 for medicines/toiletries
- 1 for linens
- Bathroom total: 3-4 boxes
Garage/Storage:
- Infinite (that's your problem)
Box Size Strategy
Small boxes (16"×12"×12"):Best for books, tools, canned goods, heavy itemsRule: If it's heavy, small box
Medium boxes (18"×18"×16"):Most versatile. Clothes, kitchen items, toys, electronicsRule: When in doubt, medium
Large boxes (18"×18"×24"):Pillows, comforters, lampshades, light bulky itemsRule: Never for heavy items
Wardrobe boxes (24"×24"×48"):Hanging clothes only. SOS Moving provides free (returnable)
The Weight Rule
Maximum weights:
- Small box: 50 lbs max
- Medium box: 65 lbs max
- Large box: 70 lbs max (but keep lighter)
If you can't lift it, movers hate it.
Pack heavy items in small boxes. Always.
Common Overestimation Mistakes
"I need 100 boxes!"No, you need 60 and garbage bags for pillows.
"All large boxes save money!"Until they break from weight and damage everything.
"One box per item!"Inefficient. Combine similar items.
"Extra boxes just in case!"You'll have 30 empty boxes forever.
Specialty Box Needs
Dish pack boxes ($7-10 each):Worth it for valuable dishes. Cell dividers prevent breaks. Need 1-2 maximum.
Mirror/picture boxes ($15-20):Necessary for artwork over $100. Adjustable, protective. Buy only what needed.
TV boxes ($25-50):Original box best. Otherwise thick blankets work. One per TV obviously.
Mattress bags ($10-15):Required for hygiene. One per mattress. Don't skip.
SOS Moving Box Service
Our prices:
- Small: $4
- Medium: $5
- Large: $6
- Wardrobe: Free (returnable)
- Delivered with your move
Why buy from movers:
- No separate trip
- Right sizes guaranteed
- Sturdy moving quality
- Buy exact amount
- Unused returnable (sometimes)
The Declutter Factor
Before calculating boxes:Donate 30% of your stuff. Seriously.
New calculation:Take room totals, subtract 30%
Reality:
- You don't wear 50% of clothes
- Kitchen has unused appliances
- Books you'll never read again
- Decorations collecting dust
Less stuff = fewer boxes = cheaper move
Packing Timeline Affects Quantity
Rushed packing (1-2 days):Need 20% more boxes. Inefficient panic packing.
Proper packing (1 week):Standard box quantities. Organized, efficient.
Professional packing:Use 20% fewer boxes. Experts maximize space.
Alternative to Boxes
Suitcases:Use for clothes, heavy items. You're moving them anyway.
Garbage bags:Pillows, comforters, stuffed animals. Not for anything else.
Original boxes:Electronics, appliances. Keep these if you have them.
Bins you own:Already packed. Just tape closed.
Don't use:
- Grocery bags (too weak)
- Loose items (nightmare)
- Oversized boxes (won't fit truck)
Environmental Consideration
New boxes:
- Virgin materials
- Single use usually
- Recyclable after
- Cost: $200-400
Used boxes:
- Extend lifecycle
- Free from liquor stores
- Quality varies
- Time to collect
Plastic bins:
- Reusable forever
- $10-15 each
- Store flat after
- Heavy when full
Balance environment and practicality.
The Math Formula
Simple calculation:
- Count rooms: ___
- Multiply by 15: ___
- Add 10 for kitchen: ___
- Subtract for decluttering: ___
- Your box total: ___
Example 2-bedroom:
- 5 rooms × 15 = 75
- Add kitchen 10 = 85
- Subtract declutter 30% = 60 boxes
Usually accurate within 10 boxes.
Buying Strategy
Week 1: Buy 70% of calculated needsWeek 2: Assess and buy 20% moreMoving day: Grab final 10% if needed
Never buy all at once. You'll overestimate.
Box Quality Matters
Good boxes:
- Double-walled
- 32 ECT rating minimum
- Clean, no damage
- Proper hand holes
- Square corners
Bad boxes:
- Single-wall thin
- Previous damage
- Water stains
- Food residue
- Worn corners
Savings aren't worth damaged belongings.
Final Reality Check
Most people need:
- Fewer boxes than they think
- More small boxes
- Fewer large boxes
- 1-2 wardrobe boxes
- Zero specialty boxes
Total for average 2-bedroom:60-70 boxes @ $5 average = $300-350
Accept this cost. It protects everything you own.
Get the Right Box Count
Stop guessing boxes for moving. Use our real numbers based on thousands of LA moves. Order correctly, pack efficiently, move successfully.
SOS Moving delivers boxes with your move—$4-6 each, professional quality, right quantity. No store trips, no guessing, no waste.
Call 909-443-0004 to add box delivery to your move. We'll calculate your actual needs based on your specific situation. Usually 30% fewer than online calculators claim.
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