A practical starting guide by home size
For a studio or compact one-bedroom apartment, start with 15 to 30 crates. A typical two-bedroom apartment or home often starts around 40. Three-bedroom homes commonly need 60, while four- and five-bedroom homes may need 70 or 90.
These are starting points rather than strict rules. A minimalist apartment with little storage may need less, while a home with a garage, study, shed or a large book collection may need more.
Count the rooms people forget
Bedrooms are easy to count, but they are not the whole move. Add the kitchen, linen cupboards, home office, laundry, garage, shed, playroom and outdoor storage to your estimate. Those spaces often contain more loose items than expected.
If you are moving between suburbs and do not want a second supply run, it is safer to choose a package with a little room rather than rely on a stack of random spare cartons.
Books and kitchens change the estimate
Books, canned food, crockery and cookware are dense. They take less space than clothing but can make a container too heavy to carry safely. Spread heavy categories across several crates instead of filling one container with a single dense load.
Clothing, linen and soft toys need more volume but are lighter. They are useful for filling gaps around fragile items and can make a larger crate count worthwhile even when the home does not feel full.
Leave room for packing safely
A crate that is filled to the lid is not automatically a well-packed crate. Leave enough room to close the lid without compressing glassware, and use towels, sheets or packing paper to stop items moving.
If you are between package sizes, the next package can be a calmer choice than forcing every item into the smaller one. A few spare containers are easier to manage than a last-minute cardboard run.
Use the package selector before you book
Packshift packages are organised by crate count and home size, from 15 to 90 reusable crates. Each package includes a 10-day hire, delivery and pickup within the standard service area, dollies and basic packing materials.
Choose the package that matches your home, then adjust for storage and belongings. If you are still unsure, start with the next size up or contact Packshift with the number of rooms and any unusually full spaces.
Ready to move? Packshift delivers clean, reusable plastic moving boxes across Sydney and collects them after you unpack. Choose your package and make your next move simpler.