The Most Important Box to Pack when Moving

It’s the last box you pack when leaving and the first box you unpack upon arriving. Whether you are moving into your first home or office, or you are a seasoned mover, this single box could make all the difference on your moving day!

If you have never moved into a home before, you’re sure to be surprised by the lack of…let’s say essentials. Surely you know most homes and apartments don’t come perfectly decorated with sparkling water in the fridge and a welcome sign on the door. What about those items you take for granted, though? Items such as toilet paper, lights, a trash bin, soap, and other essentials. These are the little things we use daily, but only notice their absence when they are gone.

Picture this: you're moving out, have the water turned off at your old place, and after a long day of staying hydrated, you arrive at your new place, expecting to run in and use the bathroom. But you walk into a dark house. No lights yet. You make your way to the bathroom in the dark, only to find no toilet paper or soap. This certainly is not the best first impression of your new home.

So there you have it, the most important box to pack is a box of essential items. You’ll likely need the items until you are completely moved out and waving goodbye to your old place, so you will want to pack this box last. As a bonus, it will be easy to unload when you first arrive at our new home.

Why the Essentials Box Is a Must-Have

Moving remains one of life’s most stressful transitions, but recent packing trends show that people who plan fare far better.

• Immediate access: Your first night in your new place shouldn’t be spent hunting for a toothbrush or charger.
• Clutter control: By separately storing the bulk of your items and keeping your essentials box accessible, you avoid living in a mess.
• Storage synergy: When you use a storage unit from A-1 Self Storage, you can load everything else ahead of time—while your essentials box stays with you.

What do you need to pack in your box of essentials?

Important items to pack include:

• Flashlight
• Light bulbs – you can pop in a light bulb in each room as you work
• Toilet paper – some apartments and home sellers may leave a roll for you, but we don’t recommend counting on it.
• Hand sanitizer
• Plenty of water bottles
• Sharpie (always handy to mark any unmarked boxes) and paper for notes
• Chargers for your devices
• Snacks
• Cleaning supplies

P.S. Don’t forget your new keys! That might stop your day in its tracks before it’s even started.

Certainly, you will need more to get through the night in your new home, but by packing this box of essential moving items, you won’t have to be worried about finding and moving things in the dark or getting in a sticky situation with no toilet paper. You’re guaranteed a much less stressful moving day if all your devices are charged, your team is hydrated, and you have light in all the rooms.

How to Use A-1 Self Storage to Make the Move Smooth

By now, storage units are no longer just “a garage for stuff”—they’re central hubs in modern moving strategies. Use A-1 Self Storage to:

• Declutter early: Rent your unit ahead of move day and park your furniture, seasonal items, and boxes there so your current living space is negotiable for movers.
• Organize smart: Label everything as you pack and stack your boxes in the storage unit by priority of unpacking. Your essentials box? It stays with you.
• Access when needed: Choose a location with flexible hours so you can pop into your unit if you forgot something while settling into your new place.

If you arrive at your new home and realize you might have underestimated the amount of stuff you have, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always happy to provide a clean and secure storage unit for your belongings until you have more room! Our team members here at A-1 Self Storage are experts in even the most stressful and time-sensitive situations and are happy to answer any questions you might have. Just pick up the phone and give us a call, or contact us via our contact form on our website!