Books may not seem like a packaging challenge at first. Until you realize how heavy and vulnerable they are. Whether you’re relocating from an apartment in Seattle, Washington, home, Austin, Texas, or rentals in Denver, Colorado, knowing how to pack books for your move is essential to protecting your collection and back.
This Redfin guide covers expert-supported strategies and creative book packaging tips to help you package this book safely and with minimal stress in book storage solutions.
1. Start by sorting the books
Take some time to organize your collection before reaching for the box. According to New Orleans, LA-based interior designer Nomita Joshi Gupta, Moving is a great opportunity to decide what you really want to keep. “Sorting books by category and considering donating or selling what you don’t need,” she says. Not only does this reduce the load, but it also makes it easier to unpack if the books are already grouped into the right rooms.
I would like to suggest alternating heavy and light books when packing, or Beaverton’s Cloud Nine Dental, or this strategy, to balance weight. We also recommend wrapping rare or vulnerable books with bubble wrap, paper or soft T-shirts.
2. Donate or sell unwanted books
Before you begin packaging, consider donating or selling books you don’t need. This is especially useful if you’re shrinking or want to reduce confusion. This not only makes packaging easier, but also gives others in the community access to affordable books. You can donate to your local library, school, or charity, or sell valuable titles online or at second-hand bookstores.
3. Collect packaging supplies
Before packing one book, assemble all the consumables you need to safely organize your collection. Having everything ready will streamline the process and help you avoid last-minute scrambling. What does this collect:
Soft items such as packing paper T-shirts and towels to safely equip small and sturdy boxes to prevent overload tapes to prevent bubble wrap or packing paper, wrap rare books and protect dust, or plague, or plague labeled boxes to fill in permanent markers with empty gap scissors and empty gaps to cut materials
4. Select the appropriate box (and don’t overload it)
One of the most common mistakes people make is to use a large box in their books. John Worden of XYZ Storage in Houston, Texas warns that “large boxes full of books are impossible to lift and can break.” Instead, choose a small box to keep the weight below 30-40 pounds. He also recommends lined up at the bottom with book wrapping paper.
Interior designer Jamie Naugle Interiors in Austin, Texas adds that if you’re recycling boxes, a liquor box is the best option. “They’re used to carrying glass jars, so they’re strong so tape them horizontally and vertically to keep them safe.” Boxes carrying straps can also make lifting safer and easier.
Living Moving & Storage Art in Brooklyn, New York emphasizes using small, sturdy boxes to reinforce the bottom with double tape to place soft items such as rolled-up t-shirts to fill in gaps during movement and prevent shifting.
Where to find the box
You don’t have to spend a lot of money moving the boxes. Many rugged options can be found for free or at low cost, provided you know where to look.
Liquor stores – Their boxes are built to carry strong, heavy luggage (recommended by Jamie Noggle) bookstores – they often have fully sized boxes in book grocery stores and retail stores.
Pro Tip: Always strengthen your recycle box with additional tape, especially along the bottom seams.
5. A safe orientation pack book
Once you have chosen the boxes, pack them correctly and all the differences will occur. Laura Parsons, interior designer at Parsons ID, advises book groupings by value and vulnerability. “For vulnerable titles, wrap them in tissue paper and pack them in rolling suitcases if you want a savings alternative.”
John Worden suggests three safe packaging directions: Flat (subvertebral), stacked spine, or page up. Don’t stuff your spine with books. This can be damaged by highlighting the binding.
Not all books are the same
Paperback: Fill tightly to avoid warping. Unless it’s worth it, individual wrapping is required. Hardcover: Wrap soft items or paper if they are collectible or in delicate condition. Oversized Book: Place flat on a box or suitcase to avoid spinal damage. Wrap them individually for additional protection. Unusual or Fragile Book: Use tissue paper or bubble wrap to pack it in an inverted suitcase or padded box for a gentle transport on the back.
6. Protect valuable and collectable titles
For those who have rare or sentimental books, paying extra attention is worth the effort. Tina Darflinger, a hunting book from around the world in Huntington Beach, California, suggests putting each book in a plastic bag and padding it with foam wrap to prevent rubbing. “A very large book should be flattened to avoid damaging the binding,” she explains.
Book blogger Jennifer Lynn shares similar tips. “For signed first editions or valuable titles, use a padded envelope or bubble bag to put them in your own box.” She also organizes them by size and fills each box completely to reduce shifts.
7. Use additional padding for safe transport
Even if your books are packed in, it’s important to keep them safe in the box. Carol George Everspulce of the Home Inventory App recommends “strengthen all corners with duct tape and fill in the gaps using kraft paper or old clothes.” This prevents the box from collapsed and the book from sliding while moving.
Similarly, Stephanie Crowder of Manarii Innovations, an interior design company in West Hollywood, California, suggests, “Bundle four to five groups of books with acid-free paper and plastic wrap before packing them in small thick cardboard boxes.” Her go-to trick? “H-taping method” (applying “H”-shaped tape to the top and bottom seams) seals all seams for added durability.
8. Strategically organize and label
When packing, consider unpacking first. Book Bolt recommends, a low-content book publishing service, “Label each box and write down how you organized them.” A simple planner note will save you time while restocking your shelves. They also suggest wrapping U-Haul’s specialist book boxes and bubbles, wrapping the edges for additional protection, a great idea for storing books.
Jeannette Ramos of Pack-Men Movers Inc in Los Angeles, California added:
Discover >> Organize and glorify your library: 10 ideas for saving books
9. Smart tools and creative tricks
Thinking outside the box (literally) makes moving your library much easier. Craig Risoli, founder of High Speed Daddy, says that veteran-owned backpacks were originally designed as diaper bags, but customers love them to move books. “They are toughly built with padded straps, reinforced construction and mol webbing. They’re great for carrying heavy loads,” he says.
Dad Diaries blogger Joseph Tito has another creative solution. A wine box with dividers. “They are eco-friendly and easy to find, and the compartments protect the cover from scratches,” he explains.
10. Tips from frequent initiators
For frequently migrant military families, through reading in San Diego, California, military nonprofit organization Melanie Sheridan offers smart and sentimental advice. “Create a list of titles, especially rare titles. Use a banker’s box to make it easy to lift and always wrap your sentimental book in paper.” She also recommends stretch-wrapping your sealed box to protect it from moisture and pests.
Shifters & Movers’s Festus Maina adds that size matching is important. Pack small and large books together. “This helps avoid bending and damage during transportation,” he explains. Stretch wrap paper is a good way to protect dust and water, and he reminds the mover to maintain clean hands during packaging.
FAQ: How to Pack Books for Travel
1. What is the best box to pack a book?
Use small, sturdy boxes made of thick cardboard or special book boxes. Avoid large boxes that can get too heavy and break.
2. How can I prevent my book from being damaged?
Wrap rare or vulnerable books in bubble wrap or acid-free paper. Pack them flat, blow your spine off, and safely pack gap soft items and tape boxes.
3. How do I organize my books?
For book organization ideas, please see group books by category, size, or room. Separately label each box and keep internal notes or lists to simplify packaging.
4. Can I use anything other than the box?
yes. A rolling suitcase, a construction backpack, or a wine box with a divider is all clever alternatives to packing books.
5. What is the easiest way to carry a heavy book box?
Use a box carry strap or select a box with a handle. Always lift it with your feet rather than your back, keeping the box below 40 pounds.
Final Thoughts: How to Pack Books for a Moving
Add these steps to your go-to checklist to make sure your book collection is safe, healthy and ready to be unpacked. Whether down the street or long distances, knowing how to pack books to travel the right way will ensure that your favorite reads arrive safely and are ready to organize on new shelves.
