How Many Moving Totes Do I Need? Kelowna Guide
Updated: 2 days ago
How many moving totes do you need for a move in Kelowna? A good rule of thumb is about 15 to 20 totes for a studio, 25 to 30 for a one-bedroom apartment, 35 to 45 for a two or three-bedroom home and 55 to 65 for a larger family home. Those numbers assume 102L totes, which is the only size Bin Ready rents. This guide breaks the count down room by room so you can pick the right moving tote rental package for your Kelowna, West Kelowna or Lake Country move, without running short on move day or paying for totes you never fill.
Start with the size of one tote
Every Bin Ready tote is the same: a 102L black tote with a yellow snap-on lid, cleaned and sanitized between rentals. That's a bit bigger than a standard medium cardboard box, and because every tote is identical, they stack square in a truck, an SUV or a closet corner while you pack.
One size also makes counting simple. You don't need to guess how many small, medium and large boxes to buy. You just count totes. Pack heavy things like books, tools and canned food in the bottom half of a tote and fill the top with lighter items such as linens or pillows, so each one stays comfortable to lift.
Moving tote count by home size
These ranges are based on a typical household. Use the lower end if you've already decluttered, and the higher end if you have a full garage, a hobby room or kids' toys to pack.
Studio or bachelor suite: 15 to 20 totes. The Start package (20 totes, $99 for 14 days) covers most studios and partial moves.
One-bedroom apartment or condo: 25 to 30 totes. The Apartment package (30 totes, $149) fits most one-bedrooms and smaller two-bedrooms.
Two to three-bedroom home or townhouse: 35 to 45 totes. The Home package (40 totes, $189) is our most popular choice for Kelowna houses.
Four bedrooms or more: 55 to 65 totes. The Family package (65 totes, $249) suits larger homes and busy households.
Every package includes free drop-off, free pickup of the empty totes and a dolly at no extra charge. You can compare everything side by side on our FAQ page.
Room-by-room tote estimates
If your home doesn't fit neatly into a category, walk through it room by room and add up the numbers below.
Kitchen: 8 to 12 totes
The kitchen is almost always the room people underestimate. Dishes, glasses, small appliances, pots, the pantry and that drawer of containers add up quickly. Wrap breakables in dish towels and tea towels you're packing anyway, and keep each tote light enough to lift easily.
Bedrooms: 4 to 6 totes each
Clothes that fold, shoes, bedding and the things on top of dressers and nightstands. Hanging clothes can often stay on hangers and go straight in the vehicle. A kid's room usually needs one or two more totes for toys and books.
Living room and family room: 4 to 6 totes
Books, games, decor, electronics and throw blankets. Books are heavy, so split them across a few totes rather than filling one to the top.
Bathrooms: 1 to 2 totes each
Towels, toiletries and cleaning supplies. The snap lids help keep spills contained, but still seal liquids in a zip bag.
Office, garage and closets: 3 to 10 totes
This is the category that varies the most. A small home office might need three totes. A garage in Rutland or Lake Country full of camping gear, lake toys and tools can easily need ten. Count shelves, not rooms: one full shelf of mixed items is roughly one tote.
Quick example: a three-bedroom house in West Kelowna
Here's how a typical count works out for a family moving from West Kelowna to Glenmore:
Kitchen: 10 totes
Three bedrooms: 15 totes
Living room: 5 totes
Two bathrooms: 3 totes
Office and hall closets: 4 totes
Garage shelves: 6 totes
That's 43 totes, so the Home package (40 totes) would be a little tight and the Family package (65 totes) would leave plenty of room. If you're close to the line, it's usually worth going up a size. Spare totes are handy for the last-minute items that always turn up on move day, like the shoe pile by the door and the cleaning supplies.
Tips to make every tote count
Declutter before the totes arrive. Every bag you donate is space you don't need to pack.
Pack out-of-season items first, such as patio gear in fall or ski gear in summer.
Write the room name on a label card and slide it into the clear plastic label sleeve on the side of each tote, so it lands in the right room at the new place.
Keep a first-night tote with sheets, towels, chargers, a kettle and basic tools.
Use the included dolly to roll three totes at a time from the house to your vehicle.
One reminder about how we work: Bin Ready drops off the empty totes and the dolly, you or your movers pack and move the full totes, and we pick up the empties when you're done. We don't haul full totes and we aren't a moving company. For more planning help, see our free Kelowna moving tips and checklists and our totes vs cardboard boxes cost comparison.
Pricing and the 25% off first-week offer
All prices cover 14 days: Start $99, Apartment $149, Home $189 and Family $249. That brings the packages down to $74.25, $111.75, $141.75 and $186.75.
We deliver across Kelowna, including Glenmore, Dilworth, Upper and Lower Mission and Rutland, plus West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Vernon and Penticton.
Moving tote FAQ
How many totes do I need for a two-bedroom apartment?
Most two-bedroom apartments need 30 to 40 totes. If you've downsized or don't have much in the kitchen, the Apartment package (30 totes) is often enough. If you have a lot of books or a packed hall closet, choose the Home package (40 totes).
What if I run out of totes?
Call or text us at (250) 826-6990 before you run out and we'll help you sort out more. It's easier to plan with a few spare totes, which is why we suggest sizing up if you're between packages.
How heavy should a packed tote be?
Aim for a tote that one person can lift comfortably, roughly 20 kg (about 45 lb) or less. Put heavy items on the bottom and fill the rest with light things. Use the dolly to roll stacks to the vehicle instead of carrying them.
How long do I keep the totes?
Each package covers 14 days. If you need longer, let us know: extra weeks are $2 a tote. More answers are on our FAQ page, and you'll find other guides on the Bin Ready blog.
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