10 Moving Essentials That’ll Make the Process a Little Smoother

Renters, we’re looking at you. If you find yourself hopping from space to space year after year, these storage bags might be your saving grace. They’re made from reinforced nylon and have strong straps for carrying up to 50 pounds of stuff. They’re big enough to hold your bulkier items (like bedding and winter clothes) and can fold down flat after use for easy storage. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Stuff your passports, wills, birth certificates, and any other documents you just can’t lose into this all-in-one storage case. It’s fireproof, water-resistant, and has a three-layer design that has mesh zippers, card slots, disk pockets, and more to fit all your necessities. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Pro packing tip: Get out all that extra air first. These vacuum bags have a double-zip seal so they’ll stay air-free and won’t deflate on you. We like them for our sweatshirts and heavy quilts that tend to take up a lot of space in suitcases and packing boxes. You’ll be shocked at how flat even the chunkiest of stuff can get. PS: The set comes with a travel pump and is great to take on the road. Especially if you like to shop along the way. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

There’s nothing worse than getting to your new home and finding your mattress dirty from a tear in the cover. Rather than use flimsy sheets of plastic, protect your mattress during the move with this heavy-duty cover. It’s rip-resistant, water-resistant, and zips right up. It’s also got built-in handles on the side to help you lift and move and has sizes from twin to California king. What are you waiting for? ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

This kit comes with everything you’ll need to pack up your studio or one-bedroom apartment. It’s got a kitchen kit, foam wrap for fragile items, and small, medium, and large boxes for your clothes and knickknacks. If you end up needing a couple more boxes, you can snag a pack of 10 or 25 of any size. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Because we’ve all got a little bit of that “I can do it” attitude. This makeshift forklift will help you (and a friend) lift items that weigh up to 800 pounds. The ergonomic design encourages proper lifting alignment to help prevent back injuries. That antique hutch that weighs a ton? No sweat. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Don’t let your wedding dress or expensive suit meet its maker on the way to your new home. These garment bags can fit up to 20 pieces of clothing and have compacting buckles to cut storage space in half. Hang it in the car or U-Haul, and keep them handy after the move for your next road trip or destination wedding. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon) 

Wrap your dishes, glass decor, ceramics, and other easily breakable things with this stretchy packing paper. The honeycomb texture provides insulation to keep everything safe from bumps and potholes on the way to the new place. It’s biodegradable, so it’s an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap, too. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Couches, wardrobes, and appliances have nothing on this dolly. It can hold up to 440 pounds and an extendable base to accommodate both large and small items. It unfolds in seconds and comes with two bungee cords to keep your items in place while you move them to and from. ($39.99, Amazon)

It’s small enough to toss in your purse, and sturdy enough to keep your cords and wires safe and tangle-free. (Note that it can’t fit chargers thicker than 1.2 inches.) Plus, it comes in 10 colors made from a shockproof EVA material. You’ll use this when you travel, too ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)