Packing
How many moving boxes do I need?
By the Outer Space Removals teamUpdated November 2026 5 min read
Running out of boxes the night before a move is one of the most common ways a moving day starts late, and you pay for that time. Here’s how many boxes most homes need, which sizes to use for what, and how to pack them so loading goes faster.
Boxes by home size
Australian packing guides give fairly wide ranges, because how much you own matters more than the number of bedrooms. Start in the middle and round up: a few spare boxes cost far less than a late start.
| Home | Boxes most homes need |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | 20–35 |
| 2 bedrooms | 35–55 |
| 3 bedrooms | 50–80 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 80+ |
Which size for what
- Small or book boxes: books, files, tins, tools and anything heavy. A large box full of books is too heavy to carry safely.
- Medium boxes: kitchenware, toys, small appliances and most everyday things. This is the size you’ll use most.
- Large boxes: light, bulky things like bedding, pillows, towels and lampshades.
- Wardrobe boxes: hanging clothes, so they go straight from one wardrobe to the next.
Prefer one number upfront? Get a fixed price in about 5 minutes.
Pack so the move goes faster
- Fill every box to the top. Half-empty boxes crush when stacked, and full ones stack faster.
- Tape the bottom twice and the top once, and keep the weight under what one person can lift comfortably.
- Label each box with the room it goes to, on two sides, not the top.
- Stack finished boxes near the front door, room by room, so the crew can start straight away.
- Pack loose items too: shoes, cables and bathroom bottles in a box are one trip; loose, they’re dozens.
Skip the cardboard in Sydney
Cardboard boxes cost around $6 each, so a 2-bedroom move can easily mean $200–$300 on boxes and tape. In Sydney we lend 55L heavy-duty plastic crates for free: they stack faster, don’t crush and keep the rain out. Pick them up from our Bondi Junction storage and return them after the move.