By Expert Removals – The Movers Who’ve Packed More Boxes Than Your Local Amazon Warehouse
How Many Moving Boxes Do You Actually Need for a 3-Bedroom House?
Rough estimate? Around 80 to 120 moving boxes.
More precise estimate? It depends on how much stuff you’ve squirrelled away like it’s the end of the world.
But here’s the golden rule:
The average 3-bedroom home in Dublin contains 1,500–2,200 cubic feet of belongings. That typically translates into:
- 10–15 large boxes (for linens, duvets, etc.)
- 20–30 medium boxes (for kitchenware, books, décor)
- 40–60 small boxes (for toiletries, shoes, cables, Lego pieces that will end up stabbing you)
That’s not us guessing – it’s based on over 1,200 3-bed moves we’ve done across Dublin since 2016.
Why Is It So Hard to Estimate Moving Boxes?
Because your “3-bed house” might secretly be a storage unit in disguise.
A couple in Churchtown with no kids might need 65 boxes.
A family in Drumcondra with two kids, one hobby room, and a compulsive IKEA addiction? 120+ boxes.
And then there’s emotional clutter – stuff we keep not because we need it but because it reminds us of our wedding, childhood, or that one weekend in Westport where it didn’t rain.
“Packing isn’t about logistics. It’s emotional triage.”
– John, our senior move coordinator, after packing a box labeled ‘Misc – definitely not junk’
Can I Use Random Boxes from the Supermarket?
You can.
Just like you can try flying Ryanair with no seatbelt and hope for the best.
Supermarket boxes are not designed for heavy lifts, stacking, or guarding your Nana’s crystal.
Our professional boxes are:
- Double-walled corrugated cardboard
- Uniform in size (stack = stable)
- Weight-rated (up to 65kg)
- Label-friendly (pre-marked sides)
We sell them. We deliver them. We collect them after your move. Easy.
Let’s Break It Down: Box Estimates by Room
| Room | Small Boxes | Medium Boxes | Large Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Living Room | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Bedroom 1 (Main) | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| Bedroom 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Bedroom 3 / Office | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Bathroom(s) | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Misc / Garage / Loft | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Total (Est.) | 40 | 35 | 15 |
Note: Adjust by +10 boxes if you’re the sentimental type. +20 if you have a crafting hobby.
Can a Moving Company Supply Boxes?
Yes. A decent moving company does more than just lift furniture.
At Expert Removals, we:
- Deliver your boxes early
- Help estimate how many you need
- Offer packing kits (tape, bubble wrap, labels – the whole shebang)
- Even pack for you (no shame – just champagne)
Want a packing kit with a plan instead of a cardboard guessing game? Call us.
What Happens If I Underestimate how many boxes?
Three things happen, and none are good:
- You waste time making emergency runs to B&Q.
- You panic-pack. That’s how wine glasses end up wrapped in gym socks.
- You overload boxes. Your back, our movers, and your floorboards will not thank you.
Packing chaos = more hours on moving day = higher cost.
But What If I Overestimate Number of Moving Boxes?
Honestly? That’s smarter.
You can return unused boxes (ours are refundable). Or keep them for:
- Future storage
- Your next move
- Building a fortress for the kids (or yourself – no judgment)
Is There a Formula for Calculating Boxes?
Kind of. Try this:
Boxes needed = (Number of bedrooms × 30) + 10% buffer
So, for a 3-bed:
(3 x 30) + 10% = ~99 boxes
You can also base it on cubic footage:
- 1,000 cu ft = approx. 50–60 boxes
- 2,000 cu ft = 100–120 boxes
We calculate this during your survey, free of charge.
Final Tips for a 3-Bed Move That Doesn’t Involve Crying in Bubble Wrap
- Label EVERYTHING: Even if it’s “Random crap drawer – kitchen.”
- Use uniform box sizes: This saves time loading.
- Keep essentials separate: One box for kettle, phone charger, toilet roll, and dignity.
- Ask your mover questions: If they grunt and guess, find a new mover.
TL;DR – Your Box Plan by Expert Removals
- Expect 80–120 boxes
- Use professional-grade boxes
- We’ll estimate for you, deliver to you, and pick up after
- Avoid panic-packing (and emotional damage)
- Yes, we’ll pack for you – we’re not just muscle, we’re method
Need help planning your 3-bed move in Dublin?
We’ve packed over 1 million items, survived 17 attic spiders, and moved everything from bikes to babies’ cribs to 90-inch TVs with care.
📦 Call Expert Removals and let us do the heavy lifting (and the box-counting).