Not every move requires heavy lifting or bulky furniture. For many college students, moving means only needing to bring clothes, small decor, or dorm essentials when moving into furnished housing. With a little planning and the right packing supplies, your small move can be quick, stress-free, and budget-friendly.
Planning your Small Move
Even a light move goes more smoothly when you plan. Start by sorting through your belongings and donating or recycling anything you no longer need. Once you’ve narrowed things down, label your boxes clearly and keep your essentials — including toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes — so you don’t have to unpack everything right away. If your move is local, ask a friend or roommate for help; it’s faster and makes the process a lot more fun.
Moving Supplies
Even without furniture, you’ll need a few basic supplies to keep your belongings protected and organized.
Small and medium boxes: Ideal for clothes, books, and school supplies.
Large boxes: Great for lightweight items like bedding and pillows.
Packing paper and tape: Keeps fragile belongings secure and prevents shifting during transport.
Stretch plastic wrap: Perfect for sealing drawers or bins without using too much tape.
Utility knife or box cutter: Makes unpacking fast and easy once you’re settled in.
Reusable bags or duffels: Great for soft items like towels or gym clothes
Pro Tip: Try Collegeboxes Supply Kit, which includes five boxes, tape, and packing materials designed specifically for dorm and apartment moves — all in one convenient bundle.
Choosing Transportation
When you’re only moving a few boxes, you don’t necessarily need a truck. If you’re staying nearby, your car or an SUV may be enough. For slightly larger moves, renting a cargo van gives you extra space without the cost of a full truck. And for long-distance or cross-country moves, using the Collegeboxes service and supplies lets you pack at your own pace, store your items safely, and have them shipped directly to your new location when you’re ready.
Making the Most of a Small Move
Moving without furniture saves time and money, but a few small habits can make it even easier. Try to move earlier in the day to avoid heat and traffic, share moving supplies with roommates to cut costs, and pack efficiently by placing heavier items in smaller boxes. Reuse your Collegeboxes boxes for future moves or storage. They’re sturdy, recyclable, and built to last through multiple semesters.
Storage Between Semesters
If you’re going home for the summer or studying abroad, you might not need to bring everything with you. Collegeboxes offers convenient pickup, storage, and delivery services tailored for students. Simply pack your items, and we’ll handle the rest, including picking them up from your dorm, storing them in a local U-Haul climate-controlled facility, and delivering them back to campus when you return. It’s a simple, stress-free way to protect your belongings while you’re away.
Move Smarter with Collegeboxes
Whether you’re moving into a dorm, heading home for breaks, or transitioning to your first apartment, Collegeboxes has everything you need to make the process simple. From high-quality moving supplies to convenient pickup, shipping, and storage, we make college moving easier than ever.
Start your next move with Collegeboxes today, the trusted student moving service that helps you save time, space, and stress.