April 2, 2026
Moving house is one of those things that sounds simple until you are standing in front of a pile of boxes and a shiny van from Sky Van Hire wondering where on earth the sofa is supposed to go. If you have never done it before then it can feel a bit like a giant game of Tetris but with much higher stakes because your telly is involved. We see people at our depot in Ilford all the time who are excited to get going but look a bit worried about the actual packing bit. That is why we have put together this guide to help you get it right the first time.
When you are looking at how to pack a removal van you need a plan before you even pick up the keys. You do not want to figure out what goes where while the clock is ticking on your rental. Getting your boxes sorted and your furniture prepped is half the battle. We always tell our customers that a bit of prep goes a long way.
Before you even start lifting anything you need to make sure you have the right tool for the job. If you hire a van that is too small you will end up doing three trips and wasting money on fuel. if it is too big everything will slide around like it is on ice. At Sky Van Hire we have everything from small transit vans for those moving out of a flat to big luton vans with tail lifts for a full family home. The luton van is usually the best choice for a big move because it has that extra space over the cab which is perfect for bedding and lighter bits.
The first rule of packing a van is to keep the weight balanced. You do not want all the heavy stuff on one side because it makes the van tilt and it is actually quite dangerous to drive like that. Start by putting your heaviest items at the front of the loading area which is the part closest to the driver. This keeps the centre of gravity stable.
Heavy appliances like washing machines and fridges should go in first. Make sure you drain the washing machine properly before it gets anywhere near the van. There is nothing worse than arriving at your new house to find your sofa is soaking wet because the washer leaked everywhere. Put these heavy things against the bulkhead and secure them with straps if you can. Most of our vans have tie down points so use them.
Next you want to look at your furniture. Take the legs off tables and dismantle wardrobes if you can. It takes up way less space that way. If you have a large sofa try standing it on its end. It sounds weird but it saves a massive amount of floor space. Just make sure you wrap it in old blankets or bubble wrap so the fabric doesn’t get scuffed on the floor.
Once the big stuff is in you can start on the boxes. This is where people usually go wrong. They put the light boxes on the bottom and then wonder why their kitchen plates are in pieces when they open the doors. Always put the heaviest boxes on the floor and stack the lighter ones on top.
Try to create “walls” of boxes. You want to stack them from the floor to the ceiling in rows. This stops them from shifting back and forth while you are driving. If there are gaps between the boxes and the roof of the van, fill them with soft things. Bags of clothes or cushions are perfect for this. It keeps everything snug.
Safety is the most important thing when you are on the road. If you have to slam on the brakes you do not want a microwave flying towards the back of your head. If you are using one of our luton vans use the space above the cab for fragile items or light things like pillows. It is out of the way and keeps them safe from being crushed.
Make sure you leave your “essentials” box until the very end. This should have your kettle and some mugs and maybe the remote for the tv. You are going to be exhausted when you get to the new place and the last thing you want to do is dig through forty boxes just to find a tea bag. Put this box right by the back doors so it is the first thing you take out.
Another thing to remember is the tail lift if you have one. They are brilliant for saving your back but you have to be careful. Never stand on it while it is moving and make sure the load is steady before you lift it up. We can show you how it works when you come to pick up your van from us.
Driving a van is different to driving a car and it is even more different when it is full of your life’s possessions. The weight makes the steering feel heavier and it takes longer to stop when you hit the brakes. Keep a good distance from the car in front and take corners wider than you usually would.
If you are driving through places like Romford or Loughton, remember that vans are wider and taller than cars. Watch out for low hanging branches on side streets and be careful with wing mirrors. Our vans are well maintained and easy to drive but you still need to keep your wits about you.
At the end of the day moving is always going to be a bit of a hard work but if you follow these steps it does not have to be a nightmare. Take your time and do not rush the loading process. If you pack it tight and keep the heavy stuff low down you will be fine.
If you are still looking for a vehicle then check out our fleet at sky van hire. We are a family run business and we pride ourselves on being cheaper than the big national chains. We don’t do hidden costs and we are always happy to give you a bit of advice on which van is best for your specific move.
Packing a van is a bit of a science but once you get into a rhythm it goes quickly. Just remember to lift with your knees and keep the kettle handy. If you need to book a van or just want to see what we have available you can head over to our website to fill out our online contact form and get a quote. Good luck with the move and we hope to see you at the depot soon.