Moving to a new place involves juggling countless tasks, and one crucial aspect is creating an inventory list of your belongings. This is something many people will put off or try to avoid entirely but, trust us, it’s something that needs to be done, even though it can be tedious. 

Whether you're relocating across town or across the country, having a detailed inventory not only helps you stay organised but also ensures a smoother transition. From furniture to appliances and personal items, each piece documented makes it easier to track during packing, loading, and unpacking. 

Ensuring you haven’t overestimated or underestimated your inventory also ensures you are getting the most accurate quote on your moving truck, container or removalist. No one needs the added stress of finding out that they haven’t booked enough space for all of their belongings!

Moving Inventory Assistance with Best Rated Transport

When booking a removalist, you will be asked to estimate your cubic metre. Cubic metre is the volume of a metre-long cube and is the main unit of measurement in the moving industry. 

This will depend on how much stuff you have as well as the size of your items. 

As a basic guideline, the cubic metres are as follows:

Studio apartment - 10m3

One bedroom apartment - 12m3 to 17m

2 bedroom house or apartment - 20m3

3 bedroom house - 25m3 to 40m3 

4 bedroom house - 41m3 to 65m3

General Guidelines on Specific Items

These estimates are based on typical sizes and designs of each item. Actual cubic metre may vary depending on specific measurements and variations in design or packaging.

Always measure each item individually to accurately calculate the total cubic metres required for your move.

BEDROOMS:

King-sized bed: 2.5 to 3 cubic metres.

Single bed: 1 to 1.5 cubic metres.  

Tall boy: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Cot: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Change table: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Single wardrobe: 1 to 1.5 cubic metres.

Larger wardrobes or wardrobes with mirrors: Up to 2 cubic metres.

Standard bedside table: 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

LIVING AREAS:

Coffee table: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres. 

Television: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres, depending on the size and packaging. 

Small couch (2-seater): 1 to 1.5 cubic metres. 

Large couch (3-seater): 1.5 to 2 cubic metres. 

Dining table: About 0.5 to 1 cubic metre, depending on the size and shape.

Desk (standard):0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Executive desk or larger desks with drawers: Up to 1.5 cubic metres, depending on size and design.

Small to medium bookcase: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or multi-shelf bookcases: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard TV stand: 0.3 to 0.5 cubic metres.

Larger entertainment unit: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Standard armchair: About 0.5 to 1 cubic metre. 

Larger or reclining armchairs: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Upright piano: 2 to 3 cubic metres.

Grand piano: Up to 5 cubic metres, depending on size.

Single cupboard: Around 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or multi-door cupboards: Up to 2 cubic metres.

Standard size picture frame: About 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Larger or ornate frames: Up to 0.3 cubic metres.

Standard mirror: Around 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Larger or full-length mirrors: Up to 0.3 cubic metres.

LAUNDRY AND APPLIANCES:

Portable clothes rack: Around 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Front-loading or top-loading washing machine: Approximately 0.5 to 1 cubic metre, depending on size.

Commercial-grade washing machines: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard dryer: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Standard fridge (single door): 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger double-door or side-by-side fridges: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Chest freezer: Around 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger upright freezers: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Dishwasher: Approximately 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT:

Small to medium trampoline: Approximately 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or professional-grade trampolines: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Standard outdoor setting: 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or elaborate outdoor settings: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Standard BBQ: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or built-in BBQs: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard swing set: Around 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or multi-seat swings: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Push mower: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres.

Ride-on mower: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Kennel: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

How Many Boxes? 

This is another important question when taking inventory when moving house. In general, here is what you will need: 

Two Bedroom: 20 - 30 boxes

Three Bedroom: 25 to 30 boxes

Four Bedroom: 30 - 50 boxes