Proper packing is the foundation of a successful move. Whether you’re moving across Santa Barbara or relocating up the coast to Ojai, how you pack your belongings makes all the difference between a clean handoff and a box of chipped dishes.
Our packers at Black Horse Delivery have packed thousands of homes across Ventura and Santa Barbara County, and the same techniques come up again and again. Here’s the system we use, broken down so you can copy it.
Gather the right supplies
Before you start packing, get all your supplies in one place — running back to the store mid-pack is how things get rushed and broken. You’ll want:
- Sturdy moving boxes in small, medium, and large sizes (plus a few dish-packs)
- Packing tape (always more than you think — at least 2 rolls for a 2BR home)
- Bubble wrap for fragile items, packing paper for everything else
- Permanent markers and color labels
- Mattress bags and furniture pads if you’re loading the truck yourself
Skip newspaper — the ink transfers onto plates and glass. We can drop a full boxes and supplies kit at your door anywhere in Santa Barbara or Ventura County.
Pack room by room
The most efficient approach is one room at a time. Start with rooms you use least — guest rooms, storage, the garage — and work toward the kitchen and bedrooms last.
Inside each box, heavier items go on the bottom and lighter on top, with packing paper filling any gaps so nothing shifts in transit. Keep boxes under 50 lbs each — your back (and ours) will thank you.
Pack one essentials box separately and label it loudly. It should travel with you, not in the truck:
- Toiletries and a change of clothes for the first day
- Phone chargers and the laptop power brick
- Important documents (passports, lease, IDs)
- Any prescriptions and basic tools
Special care for fragile items
Fragile items earn extra time and the right materials. Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap or packing paper — never bare against another fragile item.
A few field-tested rules:
- Dishes: stand them vertically on edge like records, not stacked flat. Use a dish-pack box with cell dividers.
- Glasses and stemware: wrap each one fully and use cell dividers; fill the box with paper to keep them from shifting.
- Electronics: original packaging is ideal. If it’s gone, anti-static bubble wrap and a snug box with extra padding is the next best thing.
- Lamps and shades: disassemble and pack the shade separately in its own box.
For a full deep-dive on glassware, electronics, art, and antiques, see our companion guide: how to pack fragile items like a pro mover.
For artwork, antiques, or anything you’d genuinely hate to lose, talk to us. Our packing service includes custom crating and mirror cartons, and we’ll inventory high-value pieces so they’re tracked door to door. When you’re ready, get a free quote and we’ll build a packing plan around what matters most.
