In the moves we do, what we see most when loading is that boxes that arrive in one piece follow three rules: the right size (medium for heavy things, large for light ones), material for the fragile stuff and a clear order. A student room takes about 10-15 boxes and €25-45 of materials; a small flat, 40-60 boxes and €60-90.
In short
- Heavy things in a medium box; buy 20 % more boxes than you calculate.
- Start three weeks ahead with what you don't use.
- Materials for a room: €25-45. For a small flat: €60-90.
- Prepare an “OPEN FIRST” box and keep it with you.
How many boxes do I need?
Almost everyone comes up short: clothes, books and whatever was in the loft turn up once you've already closed the boxes. That's why you should buy 20 % more than you calculate and return the extras to IKEA. As a starting point:
- Student room: 10-15 boxes.
- Studio: 20-30 boxes.
- 40-50 m² flat: 40-60 boxes.
- 60-80 m² flat: 70-100 boxes.
To refine by box size and square metres, see the guide on how many boxes you need.
What materials do I buy and how much do they cost?
Little and cheap: boxes, covers and bags cost €0.79 to €2.50 each at IKEA, and tape, bubble wrap and a marker at Amazon or Leroy Merlin. For a student room count on €25-45 in total; for a small flat, €60-90.
| Materials | Price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Medium boxIKEA, 54 L | 1,99 € | Books, crockery, anything heavy |
| Large boxIKEA, 80 L | 2,50 € | Clothes, blankets, bulky and light items |
| Clothes coverIKEA PÄRKLA | 0,79 € | Hanging clothes and duvets |
| Brown tape50 mm × 66 m | ~€2/roll | Sealing boxes in an H |
| Bubble wrap25 m roll | from €8-15 | Wrapping fragile items |
| Permanent marker | ~1-2 € | Labelling on the side |
IKEA prices checked in July 2026 (catalogue); tape and bubble wrap, ranges from Amazon.es and Leroy Merlin.
What order do I pack in?
Start with what you use least and finish with what you use every day. The costliest mistake is starting late: when time runs out, half the flat ends up in bin bags. If you haven't touched it in six months, pack it on day one.
- Three weeks ahead: books (except any you're in the middle of), clothes for another season, decorations, pictures, storage room and balcony.
- One week ahead: kitchen and bathroom, leaving 2 plates, 2 glasses, 2 mugs, 1 frying pan and 1 pot. If you're taking the fridge, empty it and defrost it 24-48 hours before.
- Moving day: an “OPEN FIRST” box with sheets, toilet paper, chargers, medication, a wash bag and pyjamas. It goes with you, like jewellery, documents and hard drives.
How do I pack each thing so it doesn't break?
Almost all the tricks come from the same principle: heavy things in small boxes; fragile things wrapped one by one with no gaps; and what you need soon, with you. In the moves we do, these are the slip-ups that leave the most damaged boxes.
- Plates: on their edge, wrapped one by one. Glasses upside down, with scrunched-up paper inside.
- Books: only in medium boxes and with no gaps. A full large one weighs about 40 kg and gives way at the bottom.
- Clothes: hanging, in a cover; folded, in large boxes, filling the gaps.
- Liquids: in a sealed bag inside the box. Aerosols, flammables and paint don't go in the van.
- Electronics: a photo of the cables before unplugging, and each device with its own in a bag.
- Pictures and mirrors: wrapped and upright, never flat.
- Sealing: tape in an “H” on top and bottom, and label on the side, not the top.
Is it worth having a company pack for me?
It's worth it if you're very short on time (exams, end of rental contract), you have a lot of fragile things or you can't come to prepare the home. With 10-15 simple items, packing yourself in an afternoon works out just as well. On the market, professional packing adds 10 % to 20 % to the quote; with us it's free up to 15 boxes. You can add it in our moving calculator and book with €50.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need for a move?
A student room, about 10-15; a 40-50 m² flat, between 40 and 60. Buy 20 % more and return the extras.
How much do the materials cost for a small move?
Between €25 and €45 for a student room; for a small flat, €60-90.
Are the plates going to break?
Not if they go on their edge, wrapped one by one, with scrunched-up paper in the gaps, in a medium box marked FRAGILE and on top in the van.
What can't be packed?
Aerosols and flammables, for safety and for insurance. Valuables, documents, hard drives and medication go with you. Large plants, separately.
Not sure yet what to take? See the moving checklist for students.