Packing tips for moving house: materials, room by room and fragile items
Packing tips for moving house in Singapore: what materials to buy, the order to pack room by room, how to protect fragile items, and labelling.
Updated 2 min read
These packing tips for moving house make moving day faster and cheaper, and keep your things in one piece. Here's what to get, what order to pack in, and how to handle the fragile stuff.
Materials
- Boxes in two or three sizes. Small boxes for heavy things (books, kitchenware), larger ones for light things (bedding, clothes). Ask your mover whether boxes are included.
- Strong packing tape and a tape dispenser.
- Wrapping: packing paper or newspaper for plates and glasses, bubble wrap for fragile items, old towels and blankets for padding.
- Markers for labels.
- Ziplock bags for screws and small parts from dismantled furniture. Tape the bag to the furniture it belongs to.
Pack room by room, in this order
- Storage and rarely used things: decorations, seasonal clothes, books, spare items.
- Living room: ornaments, photo frames, cables (photograph how the TV is wired first).
- Bedrooms: clothes you won't need this month, then the rest.
- Kitchen: everything except a few plates, cups and a pot.
- Bathroom and essentials in the last two days.
Keep one essentials box that travels with you: chargers, toiletries, medicine, a change of clothes, bedding, snacks, water, basic tools, and your documents.
Fragile items
- Wrap each piece separately.
- Stand plates on their edge like files in a drawer; they're stronger that way.
- Fill every gap with paper or towels so nothing moves when you gently shake the box.
- Keep fragile boxes light, and mark them FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP.
- For TVs, mirrors and glass tabletops, ask your mover to wrap them; they have the right protection.
Label so unpacking is easy
On the top and one side of every box, write the room it goes to and a few words about what's inside. Number boxes and keep a simple list on your phone. At the new home, stick a sign on each room's door so the movers know where boxes go.
Less to pack, less to pay
Moving fewer things means less packing, fewer boxes and often a lower quote. Sell, donate or recycle what you don't need before you start. NEA lists recycling options, and our guide to getting rid of bulky items covers furniture and appliances.
Need help on the day?
When you ask for quotes, say what you'll pack yourself and what you want the movers to handle. Get quotes from movers in Toa Payoh, Bedok and other areas, and read the HDB moving checklist for the full timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need to move house?
It depends on how much you own rather than the flat size. Count your cupboards and shelves and ask your mover: many supply boxes in their package, and they can estimate from a survey.
When should I start packing?
Start about four weeks before with things you rarely use, then pack room by room. Leave daily essentials for the last two days and keep them in one essentials box.
How do I pack plates and glasses so they don't break?
Wrap each piece separately in paper, stand plates on their edge rather than flat, fill gaps so nothing shifts, keep boxes light, and mark them FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP.
Should the movers pack for me?
Many movers offer packing as an extra. A common split is to pack loose items yourself and let the movers handle fragile, valuable and bulky items, which they're used to wrapping.
Sources
Facts checked against these sources on 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the source or provider before you rely on them.
Related guides
HDB moving checklist: what to do from 8 weeks out to moving dayOur HDB moving checklist, week by week: booking movers, utilities, ICA change of address, packing, and what to do on moving day in Singapore.
How to choose a mover in Singapore: questions to ask and red flagsHow to choose a mover in Singapore: what a good quote includes, questions to ask about insurance and damage, and red flags to avoid.
Bulky item removal in Singapore: getting rid of old furniture when you moveBulky item removal in Singapore: free town council collection for HDB residents, what's excluded, and other ways to sell, donate or recycle.