Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Moving involves more than loading a truck. Boxes, tape, protective covers, labels, and other packing materials all need to be ready before moving day arrives.
For Everett residents, buying supplies locally can make it easier to replace a damaged box or pick up more tape without interrupting the entire packing schedule. This guide explains which materials are useful, how to estimate quantities, where to find supplies, and what to do with cardboard after the move.
Whether you're relocating from an apartment, downsizing, preparing for a home sale, or organizing a military move, a little planning can keep packing from becoming a last-minute scramble.
Moves often come with firm deadlines. Recent Zillow data shows that Everett homes can move to pending status relatively quickly, leaving sellers with limited time to declutter, pack, and prepare for closing.
Renters face similar space constraints. Apartments.com reports that the average Everett apartment is approximately 665 square feet, which can leave little room to store unused boxes, seasonal gear, or packed belongings before move-out day.
Everett also has a large workforce connected to aerospace, maritime operations, healthcare, and the military. Boeing maintains a major Everett-area production presence, while Naval Station Everett brings regular moves and transitions for service members and their families.
Keeping an extra supply of boxes, tape, and labels nearby can reduce delays when packing takes longer than expected.
Basic moving and packing supplies are available through the leasing office at SecureSpace Self Storage Everett, located at 8407 Broadway.
Because product selection can change, call (425) 952-9632 before visiting if you need a particular box size, cover, or packing material.
Manager hours are:
Monday-Friday: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
Storage access hours are separate and run daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The amount of packing material required depends on the size of the home, the number of belongings, and how much can remain in drawers, bins, or original packaging.
The following quantities are useful starting estimates rather than fixed requirements.
Small Boxes: Approximately 10-15 for books, tools, canned goods, and other dense items.
Medium Boxes: Approximately 8-12 for kitchenware, clothing, electronics, and general household items.
Large Boxes: Approximately 3-5 for pillows, blankets, towels, and other lightweight belongings.
Packing Tape: At least two rolls, with more available if boxes need reinforcement.
Protective Wrap: Enough for glassware, electronics, framed mirrors, and fragile kitchen items.
Small Boxes: Approximately 10-15 for books, tools, pantry items, and other heavy belongings.
Medium Boxes: Approximately 15-20 for clothing, kitchenware, décor, and general household contents.
Large Boxes: Approximately 5-10 for bedding, pillows, and lightweight bulky items.
Packing Tape: Three or four rolls may be a reasonable starting point.
Furniture Protection: Covers or moving blankets can help limit scratches and dirt during loading.
Mattress Protection: A properly sized mattress bag can keep the mattress covered during transportation.
Add extra boxes when the home contains a large book collection, extensive kitchenware, business files, hobby supplies, or belongings stored in closets and garages.
Moving kits combine boxes and packing materials into one purchase. They can be convenient when you're starting from scratch and do not want to estimate every item separately.
Retailers such as U-Haul list current pricing for moving kits and individual packing supplies. Product costs vary by box size, material, quantity, and retailer, so review the contents before assuming a bundle is less expensive.
A kit may be useful when its box assortment matches the home. Buying items individually may work better when you already have reusable containers or need an unusually high number of one box size.
Standard boxes can handle most household belongings, but certain items are easier to move with purpose-built materials.
Wardrobe boxes include a hanging bar that allows clothing to remain on hangers. They can be useful for suits, dresses, uniforms, coats, and other garments that are difficult to fold.
Dish boxes are designed for glassware, plates, and fragile kitchen items. Dividers help keep individual pieces separated, but each item should still be wrapped and packed tightly enough to limit movement.
Adjustable mirror boxes can help cover framed mirrors and similarly shaped household items. Use corner protection and avoid leaving open space inside the box.
Mattress bags and furniture covers can help limit contact with dirt and rain during loading and unloading. Choose covers that match the item dimensions and secure them so they do not shift during transport.
Use smaller boxes for dense belongings such as books, tools, files, and canned goods. Reserve large boxes for lightweight items so they remain manageable.
Write the destination room and a short description of the contents on at least two sides. This makes the label easier to see after boxes are stacked.
Set aside medication, chargers, paperwork, toiletries, basic tools, and a change of clothes. Keep this container with you rather than loading it deep inside the truck.
Use packing tape along the center seam and edges of boxes containing heavier items. Do not rely on interlocking cardboard flaps alone.
A box that is difficult to lift is more likely to tear or be dropped. Divide heavy contents across several smaller containers when necessary.
Temporary self-storage can help when a closing date changes, a renovation overlaps with a move, or a new home does not have room for every belonging immediately.
Moving in stages can also make it easier to separate frequently used items from furniture, seasonal belongings, and boxes that can wait.
The Everett facility offers climate-controlled and heated storage options, which may help reduce exposure to temperature swings and cold conditions compared with an unconditioned space. These units should not be treated as humidity-controlled environments or as guarantees against damage.
Online rental and touchless move-in options are available. Access timing and specific move-in instructions depend on the rental, so review the information provided before arriving.
Flattening and sorting boxes after the move keeps them from taking over the new home.
Clean, sturdy boxes can be saved for seasonal storage, offered to someone preparing for a move, or posted through a neighborhood reuse group.
Remove old labels or cover them before reusing a box so movers do not confuse the destination room.
For customers served by Waste Management, Snohomish County recycling guidance identifies cardboard as recyclable when it is clean enough for processing.
Flatten boxes, remove plastic wrap and foam, and keep recyclable materials loose rather than placing them in plastic bags. Confirm collection requirements for your specific address and service provider.
Large amounts of cardboard may be taken to the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station at 10700 Minuteman Drive in Everett. Check current hours and accepted materials before loading the vehicle.
Basic moving and packing supplies are available through the leasing office. Product selection can change, so call (425) 952-9632 to confirm current inventory before visiting.
The best option depends on what you need and how quickly you need it. Storage facilities, moving companies, hardware stores, office-supply stores, and truck-rental retailers may carry boxes and packing materials. Check current stock before making a special trip.
Prices vary by retailer, box dimensions, construction, and quantity. Review current local or online pricing rather than relying on fixed estimates, particularly when buying specialty boxes or complete kits.
Yes. Climate-controlled and heated storage options are available. These units may help reduce exposure to temperature swings and cold conditions, but good packing and item preparation remain important.
Clean cardboard may be accepted through curbside recycling, depending on the service provider. Larger quantities can be taken to the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station after confirming current hours and acceptance rules.
The Broadway location may be useful for military families who need packing supplies or temporary storage during a PCS move or deployment. Review current unit availability, rental terms, access hours, and packing-supply inventory before making plans.
Start by estimating the number of boxes needed for each room, then add tape, labels, protective materials, and a few extra containers for belongings discovered late in the process.
Buying supplies before packing begins makes it easier to stay organized and reduces the chance of running out of materials midway through the move. For current supply inventory or storage availability, call the Everett leasing office at (425) 952-9632.
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