A typical one-bedroom apartment may require about 25 to 40 moving boxes of different sizes. A lightly furnished apartment may need fewer, while you may need more if you have full closets, a well-stocked kitchen, books, decorations, or several years of belongings.
The number of boxes you need depends more on how much you own than the number of rooms in your apartment.
How Many Moving Boxes Should You Get?
A practical starting point is:
| Box Type |
Estimated Quantity |
Best For |
| Small boxes |
5–8 |
Books, canned goods, tools, and other heavy items |
| Medium boxes |
10–15 |
Kitchenware, small appliances, and general household items |
| Large boxes |
5–8 |
Linens, pillows, lampshades, and other lightweight items |
| Wardrobe boxes |
2–4 |
Hanging clothes |
| Specialty boxes |
As needed |
TVs, mirrors, dishes, artwork, and fragile items |
These are general estimates, so your actual box count may be higher or lower depending on your belongings.
What Size Moving Boxes Should You Use?
Use small boxes for heavy items such as books, canned goods, and tools. Medium boxes work well for most household items, while large boxes are best for lightweight, bulky belongings such as bedding and pillows.
Avoid filling large boxes with heavy items just to reduce your total box count. They can become difficult to lift and more likely to break during the move.