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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.
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.
Sources: RTB — rtb.ie | Threshold — threshold.ie
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.
The less items you have to move, the simpler and cheaper the whole process becomes.
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:
| Box Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Small boxes | Books, kitchen items, tools, heavy objects |
| Medium boxes | Clothes, linens, general household items |
| Large boxes | Lightweight bulky items only (pillows, duvets, lampshades) |
| Wardrobe boxes | Hanging clothes — saves folding and ironing |
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:
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:
Source: Property Management Association of Ireland — pmai.ie
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:
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:
Moving is physically and emotionally demanding - more so if the move is not entirely by choice. A few practical things that help:
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.
Apartment moves typically require fewer boxes than larger homes, but the right supplies still make a significant difference.
| Home Size | Boxes (approx.) | Sealing Tape | Bubble Wrap | Vacuum Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / bedsit | 10–20 | 2–3 rolls | 10 metres | 2–4 bags |
| 1-bed apartment | 20–35 | 3–4 rolls | 10-20 metres | 4–6 bags |
| 2-bed apartment | 35–60 | 4–6 rolls | 30-100 metres | 6–8 bags |
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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