One of the easiest ways to make moving house less stressful is to label your boxes properly. It sounds simple, but good labelling can save hours of confusion when you arrive at your new home.
Whether you’re moving across Manchester or to another part of the UK, here’s how to label boxes like a pro so you can unpack efficiently and avoid lost or damaged items.
1. Why Labelling Boxes Matters
It’s tempting to skip labelling when you’re in a rush, but it’s one of the most important parts of packing. A clear labelling system helps you, your movers, and anyone else involved know exactly where everything goes.
Benefits of labelling boxes:
- Keeps your move organised from start to finish
- Prevents fragile items from being mishandled
- Saves time when unpacking
- Reduces stress on moving day
- Helps with storage organisation if you’re using a unit
If you plan to store some items before moving in, clear labelling is especially useful. You can easily find what you need later in home storage or furniture storage.
2. Get the Right Supplies
Before you start, gather the right tools to label your boxes properly. A few small purchases will make a big difference.
What you’ll need:
- Permanent markers in different colours
- Adhesive labels or stickers
- Coloured tape (optional)
- A packing list or notebook
- A numbering system or spreadsheet if you want extra detail
At Cheap Storage Manchester, we include free packing boxes with every unit, so you’ll always have sturdy boxes ready to label.
3. Label Boxes by Room
The simplest and most effective method is to label boxes by the room they belong to. This tells movers where to place each box, making unpacking faster and easier.
Example labels:
- Kitchen – Plates and Glasses
- Living Room – Books and Cables
- Bedroom 1 – Clothes
- Bathroom – Towels and Toiletries
Use large, clear writing on the sides of boxes, not the top, so labels stay visible when stacked.
Extra tip: Use a different coloured marker or tape for each room. For example, red for kitchen, blue for bedroom, green for living room.
4. Add a Brief Description
Simply writing “kitchen” isn’t always enough. Adding a quick description helps you find specific items without opening every box.
Good examples:
- Kitchen – Pans and Utensils
- Bedroom – Winter Clothes
- Living Room – Fragile Decor
- Office – Paperwork and Chargers
If you’re moving into temporary accommodation or storing items in short-term storage, these details make it much easier to find things later.
5. Number Your Boxes
Numbering your boxes adds an extra layer of organisation. It’s particularly helpful for large moves where you might have dozens of boxes.
Create a simple spreadsheet or note listing each box number and its contents. If one goes missing, you’ll know exactly what was inside.
Example:
- Box 1 – Kitchen – Glasses and Plates
- Box 2 – Bedroom – Bedding and Sheets
- Box 3 – Office – Books and Cables
Numbering also helps if you’re splitting items between your new home and storage.
6. Use “Fragile” and “This Way Up” Labels
Boxes containing glass, crockery, or delicate items should always be marked clearly. This alerts anyone handling them to take extra care.
How to do it:
- Use large, bold writing for “FRAGILE”
- Add “THIS WAY UP” arrows to show orientation
- Label all four sides of the box
- Use bright coloured tape for visibility
To keep fragile items even safer, see our post on how to pack fragile items safely.
7. Create a Colour-Coding System
Colour-coding is a great visual method to keep everything organised at a glance. You can assign each room its own colour and use matching labels or tape.
Example system:
- Blue – Kitchen
- Green – Living Room
- Yellow – Bedroom
- Pink – Bathroom
- Orange – Office
You can even place a colour chart near your front door so movers know which boxes go where.
This method also works perfectly for business storage or multi-room home moves.
8. Label Boxes for Storage Separately
If some items are going into storage instead of straight to your new home, label them differently to avoid confusion.
Tips for labelling storage boxes:
- Add “STORAGE” to the label in capital letters
- Use a unique colour or tape
- Note the storage location on your master list
- Group storage boxes together for easy loading
This helps keep your storage unit tidy and prevents you from digging through the wrong boxes later.
9. Label Essentials Boxes Clearly
Everyone should pack one or two “essentials boxes” for the first night in their new home. Label these clearly and keep them with you rather than in the removals van.
Essentials boxes might include:
- Kettle, mugs, and tea or coffee
- Bedding and pyjamas
- Phone chargers and extension leads
- Toiletries and towels
- Cleaning products
Clear labels like “Open First” or “Essentials” make sure you can settle in comfortably without rummaging through piles of boxes.
If your move-in date changes last minute, these boxes can be easily stored in temporary storage until you’re ready to unpack.
10. Review and Adjust as You Go
Labelling doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. As you pack, you might decide to combine or reorganise boxes. Keep your system flexible.
Final checks:
- Double-check each label before sealing boxes
- Make sure labels are legible and waterproof
- Keep your box list updated
- Store your label key or spreadsheet somewhere safe
The small effort it takes to label properly pays off massively when unpacking.
Final Thoughts
A good labelling system can turn moving from chaotic to controlled. It saves time, prevents damage, and helps you stay organised whether you’re unpacking at home or storing items temporarily.
If you’re preparing for a move in or around Manchester, Cheap Storage Manchester offers everything you need to stay organised, including free boxes, free removals, and secure storage.
Visit our moving home page for more useful moving tips or get a quote through our contact page.
