How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need?
- Santiago Bohorquez Alvarez
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 17
The number of moving boxes you need from kitchen to garage.
If you're getting ready for your move, there’s one question that’s probably lingering in your mind (right after Where did all this stuff come from?)
How many moving boxes am I actually going to need?
After helping hundreds of families move around Hamilton and surrounding areas over the years, I can tell you this:
Most people underestimate how much stuff they have!
General Moving Box Estimates Based on Home Size
Here’s a basic rule of thumb:
1-bedroom condo/apartment: 15-20 boxes
(around 5 for the kitchen, 3-5 for the bedroom/bathroom, 3-5 for the living room)
2-bedroom home/townhouse: 20-25 boxes
(around 5 for the kitchen, 5-10 for the bedroom/bathroom, 3-5 for the living room)
3-bedroom home: 25-35 boxes
(around 7 for the kitchen, 10-15 for the bedrooms/bathrooms, 5-8 for the living room)
4-bedroom home or larger: +35-50 boxes
(around 12 for the kitchen, 20-25 for the bedrooms/bathrooms, 8 for the living room)
Add 10 - 20 for full garages
Add 10 - 20 for full basements
Pro Tip: The kitchen, closets, and garage always need more boxes than you expect. These areas are filled with small, dense items that take up a lot of box space.
Room-by-Room Breakdown for a 4-Bedroom Home
Here’s how the average 80 moving boxes break down in a typical Hamilton 3-bedroom home:
Kitchen & Dining: 25 moving boxes
Living Room: 10 moving boxes
Garage: 15 moving boxes
Master Bedroom: 10 moving boxes
Second Bedroom: 8 moving boxes
Third Bedroom: 7 moving boxes
Closets/Utility Rooms: 5 moving boxes
And remember, packing materials (like bubble wrap, paper, etc.) take up more space than your items alone.
Example: One family we moved in the East Mountain area packed everything themselves and thought they were ready. But the garage, packed with tools, old holiday decor, and camping gear, needed 12 more boxes than expected. It’s always the hidden storage spaces that catch people off guard.
4 Big Factors That Determine How Many Moving Boxes You’ll Need
There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but here’s what makes the biggest difference:
1. How Long You’ve Lived There
If you’ve been in your house for five years or more, you’ve definitely accumulated more than you realize. We moved a couple from Hamilton who had been in their house for 22 years.
hat started as a 70-box estimate turned into 108 once we got into the garage.
2. Number of People in the Household
A single guy in a bachelor pad? Maybe 20–25 boxes. A family of four with kids, hobbies, and storage bins of seasonal decor? Think more like 80–100.
3. Lifestyle & Clutter Level
We all have different habits. Some people live pretty minimally. Others have collections, hobbies, or storage packed into every nook and cranny. Neither is right or wrong, but they definitely affect your box count.
4. Square Footage of Your Home
Naturally, the bigger your home, the more items you’ll need to pack. A 1-bedroom condo requires a very different strategy than a 4-bedroom home with a garage and basement.
What Kind of Boxes Do I Need?
Not all boxes are created equal. You want a mix of sizes and maybe a few specialty boxes depending on what you're moving.
Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft)
Great for books, pantry items, tools, or anything heavy.
Rule of thumb: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
Medium Boxes (3 cu ft)
Most versatile. Ideal for kitchen items, electronics, small decor.
Large Boxes (4.5 cu ft)
Perfect for light but bulky items like bedding, towels, and lampshades.
Avoid packing heavy items in these or you’ll risk the bottom breaking out.
Specialty Boxes
Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
Dish packs for fragile kitchenware
TV boxes for flat screens
Book boxes (yes, those are a thing)
Pro Tip: Bigger isn’t always better. Large boxes can be hard to carry and are more likely to collapse under a heavy load.
Tips to Save Time, Money, and Headaches
If it fits in a box, put it in a box
Carrying loose items back and forth might seem harmless, but it gets old fast. Keeping everything boxed and stacked saves serious time and energy.
Don’t buy all your boxes at once
Start with a manageable amount, maybe 25 to 30, and see how far that gets you. You’ll get a much better feel for how many more you’ll need. here you can read where to find free or cheap moving boxes in Hamilton*.*
Used boxes? Inspect first
Used moving boxes can be a good way to save money, but make sure they’re clean, dry, and structurally sound. No one wants the bottom falling out of a box full of plates.
Start early and build momentum
Packing one or two boxes a day is a lot easier than trying to cram it all into the last weekend. Plus, starting early gives you time to declutter.
A Real-Life Hamilton Example
We recently moved a family from Waterloo to Stoney Creek. Four people, 3-bedroom detached home, lived there for 8 years. They originally estimated 65 moving boxes.
By the end, we were at 92.
What added to the count?
Garage: way more tools and sports equipment than expected
Closets: filled with seasonal clothes and decorations
Kitchen: more glassware and small appliances than they thought
It’s not about overpacking, it’s about being realistic with what you’ve got.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead and Pack Smart
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of helping people move around Hamilton, it’s this:
You’ll always need more boxes than you think.
But with a little planning, a solid estimate, and the right mix of box sizes, you can avoid the chaos and pack with confidence.
Whether you’re DIYing the move or hiring pros like us, getting your box count right is a small step that makes a big difference.
Need Help Figuring Out Your Box Count?
At Homeboy Movers, At Homeboy Movers, we are offering stress-free moving services in Hamilton and surrounding areas, including Kitchener, Waterloo, Oakville, and St. Catharine.
Whether you're headed from Stoney Creek to the Mountain or just down the street in Westdale, we’ll help you move smart from the start to the finish.
Give us a call and get a free estimate for a stress-free move.
Want us to bring the boxes too? We’ve got you covered.