If you’re getting ready for an apartment move in Los Angeles, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and low‑key panic.
Parking rules. Staircases. Tiny elevators. Heat. Traffic. Neighbors. And on top of all that — packing.
I move people around LA all the time with United Prime Van Lines, and I can tell you this: the move itself is rarely the hardest part. The stressful part is almost always the packing. So let’s take that off your plate as much as possible.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to pack for an apartment move in Los Angeles step by step — LA‑style, with real‑life examples, not generic advice that ignores things like street sweeping, building managers, and that one impossible couch.
Getting Real About LA Apartment Moves
Before we dive into boxes and bubble wrap, let’s talk about what makes packing for an LA apartment move different from, say, moving in a small town.
- Street parking + moving truck logistics: You can’t just park a big truck anywhere in Los Angeles. Between red curbs, tight alleys, hills, and “No Parking” signs, where your truck can go will actually affect how you should pack.
- Walk‑ups and long carries: Fourth‑floor walk‑up in Hollywood? Long hallway in Woodland Hills? Tight staircase in Los Angeles? The more walking your movers have to do, the more strategic your packing needs to be.
- Narrow doors and elevators: Many LA apartments have older layouts, tight turns, and low ceilings in hallways. Oversized boxes or poorly packed items slow everything down.
- Heat & time of day: Moving in the Valley at noon in July is a different beast than moving in December. Heat affects what should be packed last, how to protect certain items, and your own stamina.
If you plan your packing around these LA realities, the whole move becomes more predictable — and a lot less stressful.
Step 1: Create a Packing Timeline That Actually Fits LA Life
Most people severely underestimate how long packing will take. Especially in LA, where you might be juggling work, kids, and an hour‑plus commute.
2–3 Weeks Before:
- Start with storage‑type items: closets, seasonal clothes, decor, books.
- Decide what’s getting donated or sold.
- Order supplies (or have us bring packing materials if you’re using our Apartment Moving Services).
10–14 Days Before:
- Pack non‑essential kitchen items: extra dishes, baking tools, specialty appliances.
- Start on the bathroom overflow.
- Box up decor, artwork (properly protected), and books.
3–4 Days Before:
- Pack almost all kitchenware except a minimal set of dishes & utensils.
- Pack extra bedding, guest linens, extra pillows.
Night Before:
- Pack toiletries, last load of laundry, chargers.
- Set aside your “Day One in the New Place” essentials.
If this already feels like too much, that’s exactly why a lot of people in LA ask us at United Prime Van Lines to handle full packing services for them.
Step 2: Get the Right Packing Supplies (LA‑Friendly Version)
You don’t need to overspend, but skimping on supplies often leads to broken items or miserable carrying distances in long hallways.
- Small boxes (1.5 cu ft): For books, small heavy items.
- Medium boxes (3.0 cu ft): Your workhorse box for most belongings.
- Wardrobe boxes: Great for hanging clothes — they stack well on dollies.
- Dish barrels / double-wall boxes: Ideal for fragile kitchenware.
- Giant reusable bags (IKEA‑style): Perfect for walk‑ups and long corridors — clothes, shoes, linens.
Step 3: Decluttering — LA Style
Packing is the most natural moment to get rid of things you don’t actually want to pay to move. In Los Angeles, storage space is limited and expensive.
The Rule: If you wouldn’t pay someone $5–10 to carefully pack, carry, and move that item… do you really need to keep it?
Good decluttering targets:
- Old electronics & tangled cables.
- Duplicate kitchen gadgets.
- Clothes you haven’t worn in a year.
- Cheap furniture that won’t survive another move.
Step 4: Room‑by‑Room Packing Strategy
Living Room
- TV & Electronics: Take clear photos of cable setups before disconnecting. Pack remotes and wires in one clearly labeled box.
- Books: Use small boxes — they get heavy fast.
Kitchen (The Slowest Room)
- Dishes: Wrap individually and stand plates vertically (like records).
- Glasses: Wrap fully. Place heavier items at bottom, lighter at top.
- Label Clearly: “KITCHEN – DISHES – FRAGILE”.
Bedroom & Closet
- Hanging Clothes: Use Wardrobe Boxes to move clothes straight from closet to box.
- Valuables: Keep jewelry, passports, and cash with you, not in the truck.
Step 5: Labeling Like a Pro (Saves Hours in LA)
In LA apartment buildings, movers often work around shared elevators and long hallways. Clear labeling prevents a chaotic pile in the wrong room.
The System:
- Room Name: Big and bold (e.g., “BEDROOM 1”).
- Short Content Description: (e.g., “Winter Clothes”).
- Fragile / Heavy Indicators.
- Color‑Coding: Assign a color to each room (Blue = Kitchen, Yellow = Bedroom) using stickers. Put a matching sticker on the door at the new place.
Step 6: How LA Buildings Affect Your Packing
Every city has its quirks. LA’s quirks show up in your building rules.
Check Before You Pack:
- Elevator Reservations: Does your building require a reserved window?
- Restricted Hours: No moves after 5 PM or on weekends?
- COI Requirements: Do you need a Certificate of Insurance for movers?
- Parking: Where can the truck legally park?
If you move with us, we’re used to dealing with LA building managers and HOAs — we can help you navigate the rules.
Step 7: The “Essentials” Strategy
Pack these in one or two clearly marked boxes or bags that stay with you:
- Personal Essentials: Wallet, keys, IDs, meds.
- Next‑24‑Hours Comfort: Change of clothes, toiletries, towels.
- First Night Box: A few plates/cups, coffee maker, toilet paper, soap.
This turns "moving chaos" into "we're tired but okay."
Step 8: When to Let Pros Handle the Packing
You absolutely can pack an apartment move yourself. But in Los Angeles, it’s often worth bringing in help if:
- You’re on a tight timeline.
- You have a lot of fragile items.
- You’re moving in/out of a building with strict time windows.
With United Prime Van Lines, we can do Full-Service Packing (you don't touch a box) or Partial Packing (we just do the kitchen and fragile items).
Check out our Full Packing Services to see how we can save you days of work.
Making Your LA Apartment Move Manageable
Apartment moves in Los Angeles don’t have to feel like a production. With a plan, the right supplies, and a little help where you need it, packing becomes structured instead of overwhelming.
Whether you want full packing support or just help with the heavy lifting, reach out to us at United Prime Van Lines. We’ll talk through your situation—no pressure, just straight answers and options that make sense for your move.
