The Best Box Labelling System for Your Move
Unlabelled boxes are one of the most common causes of slow, frustrating moves. When the crew cannot tell where a box goes, they ask — or guess. When you cannot find what you need after the move, you open every box. A good labelling system costs nothing and saves hours.
The Basics: What to Write on Every Box
Every box should have three pieces of information:
1. Destination room Write the room name clearly: Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Kids' Room, Living Room, Bathroom, Office, Storage.
2. Contents description A brief description of what is inside: Dishes, Books, Winter Clothes, Bathroom Cabinet, Kids' Toys.
3. Handling notes Any special instructions: FRAGILE, HEAVY, THIS SIDE UP, KEEP UPRIGHT (for boxes with liquids).
Where to Write It
Write on the top and two sides of every box. This means the label is visible no matter how the box is stacked or oriented in the truck. A label only on the top is invisible when boxes are stacked. A label only on one side is invisible when that side faces the wall.
Use a thick permanent marker (Sharpie or similar). Write large enough to read from a distance. Thin markers or pencil are hard to read on cardboard.
The Colour Coding System
For larger moves, colour coding by room is highly effective.
How it works:
- Assign a colour to each room (e.g., red = kitchen, blue = master bedroom, green = living room)
- Mark each box with a strip of coloured tape or a coloured marker dot in addition to the written label
- At the new address, put a matching coloured dot or strip on the door of each room
The crew can place boxes in the right room at a glance, without reading every label. This speeds up unloading significantly.
Coloured tape is the most practical option — it is visible from a distance and sticks to cardboard well. Buy a roll of each colour at a hardware or office supply store.
The Priority System
Mark boxes you need to unpack first with a star or "OPEN FIRST" label. These are the boxes with your first-night essentials, kitchen basics, and anything you need immediately.
Boxes that can wait — seasonal items, books, decorative objects — can be marked "LOW PRIORITY" or "STORAGE."
The Inventory List (Optional)
For large moves or items going into storage, number each box and keep a simple inventory list:
| Box # | Room | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kitchen | Pots and pans |
| 2 | Kitchen | Dishes and glasses |
| 3 | Master Bedroom | Books |
This is most useful if you are moving some items to storage and need to find specific things later.
Quick Reference: Label Checklist
Before sealing each box, confirm:
- Destination room written on top and two sides
- Contents description written
- Handling notes added (FRAGILE, HEAVY, etc.)
- Colour code applied (if using colour system)
- Priority marked (OPEN FIRST or LOW PRIORITY) if applicable
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