Small Flat, Big Move: Packing Tips for Apartment Dwellers

Moving out of an apartment or flat comes with its own set of challenges ... narrow hallways, shared lifts, parking restrictions, and the logistical puzzle of getting everything out of a small space efficiently.

Whether you're moving by choice or because circumstances have forced your hand, this guide is here to make the practical side of things as straightforward as possible.

Before You Start Packing: Know Your Rights

If you're leaving your apartment because your landlord has issued a notice to quit - whether due to a sale, refurbishment, or other reason - it's worth knowing your rights before you do anything else.

• Notice periods under Irish tenancy law range from 28 days (tenancy of less than 6 months) to 224 days (tenancy of 8 years or more). Your landlord must follow the correct procedure.
• Notices to quit must be in writing and served correctly to be valid. An informal request to leave is not legally enforceable.
• If you believe your notice is invalid or your rights are being breached, contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), which provides free dispute resolution.
• If you are at risk of homelessness as a result of your tenancy ending, contact Threshold, Ireland's national housing charity, for free advice.

Sources: RTB — rtb.ie | Threshold — threshold.ie

Step 1: Audit What You Own Before You Pack a Single Box

A small flat has a way of accumulating more than you realise. Before you reach for a box, do a clear-eyed audit of everything you own.

• Go room by room and make three piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, Dispose
• Be honest about what you actually use ... moving is expensive, and every item you bring with you costs time, effort, and money
• Furniture that fitted your current apartment may not suit your next space - measure doorways and rooms before deciding what to bring
• Donate usable items to local charity shops or list them on Done Deal, Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle Ireland

The less items you have to move, the simpler and cheaper the whole process becomes.

Step 2: Choose the Right Box Sizes

This matters more in an apartment move than almost any other type of move. Large boxes can be hard to manoeuvre through narrow hallways, around tight corners, and into lifts. They're also heavier, which is a real issue if you're carrying things down stairs.

For apartment moves, smaller is usually better:

Step 3: Use Space-Saving Packing Techniques

When you're moving from a small space, making the most of every cubic centimetre matters.

Vacuum storage bags are one of the most useful tools for apartment moves. Duvets, pillows, blankets, and bulky winter clothing compress down to a fraction of their normal size — freeing up box space and reducing the number of trips needed.

Other space-saving techniques:

• Nest smaller items inside larger ones (pots inside pots, cups inside bowls)
• Use clothing, towels, and linens as padding for fragile items - reduces bubble wrap usage and fills dead space in boxes
• Keep drawers intact where possible - wrap the whole drawer in cling film or stretch wrap rather than emptying it into a box
• Use suitcases and bags you already own for clothing and soft items - they're designed to be carried and take up no extra space

Step 4: Navigate Building Rules Before Moving Day

Some apartment buildings, especially student accommodation, have rules around moving that can catch people off guard. Check with your management company or building manager well in advance.

Common requirements:

• Lift booking - some apartment buildings might require you to book the service lift in advance; moving without a booking can result in fines or being turned away on the day
• Parking permits - removal vans and hired vehicles may need a permit to park outside the building while you are moving your belongings.
• Time restrictions - some buildings only allow moves during certain hours (e.g. not before 8am or after 6pm, and not on Sundays)
• Notice to management - give your building manager advance notice of your moving date as a courtesy and to avoid conflicts with other residents

Source: Property Management Association of Ireland — pmai.ie

Step 5: Plan Your Packing Order Carefully

In a small apartment, space is at a premium while you're packing ... you can't afford to have half-packed boxes blocking every room for weeks. A structured packing order helps.

Pack in this order:

1. Items in storage (attic space, under-bed storage, press tops) - these are out of the way and won't be missed
2. Off-season clothing and bedding - vacuum bag these first
3. Books, DVDs, decorative items - things you won't need before moving day
4. Non-essential kitchen equipment - specialist appliances, extra crockery, baking equipment
5. Remaining clothing - leave out one week's worth until the last few days
6. Everyday kitchen items - pack these last, two to three days before moving
7. Bedding and toiletries - pack the morning of moving day; keep an Essentials Bag separate

Step 6: Prepare an Essentials Bag

This is especially important for apartment dwellers who may be moving into temporary accommodation, staying with family, or facing a gap between tenancies.

Pack a bag - not a box - that stays with you, not in the van:

• Phone charger and any essential electronics
• Medications
• A change of clothes for two to three days
• Toiletries
• Important documents (tenancy agreement, ID, bank details, RTB correspondence if relevant)
• Kettle, one mug, teabags - the first cup of tea in a new place matters more than you'd think
• Snacks and water for moving day

Step 7: Look After Yourself on Moving Day

Moving is physically and emotionally demanding - more so if the move is not entirely by choice. A few practical things that help:

• Eat properly before and during moving day ... it's easy to forget in all the chaos
• Ask for help - friends and family can make a significant difference, both practically and emotionally
• Take breaks - moving heavy boxes in and out of lifts and up and down stairs is hard work
• Be kind to yourself - if the day is harder than expected, that's completely understandable

If you're struggling with the stress of an involuntary move or housing insecurity, Threshold (threshold.ie) and the Society of St Vincent de Paul (svp.ie) can both offer practical support and advice.

What You'll Need: Packing Supplies for an Apartment Move

Apartment moves typically require fewer boxes than larger homes, but the right supplies still make a significant difference.

We're Here to Help

At Box Depot, we stock everything you need for an apartment move - small and medium boxes ideal for narrow hallways and lifts, vacuum storage bags, packing tape, and bubble wrap. Our Moving Kits include a mix of three different sized cardboard boxes as well as tape and various accessories. If you're not certain how much packaging you need, they can remove the guesswork on what might be an already stressful experience.

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