Let’s admit that packing a kitchen for a move is crucial and sometimes a nightmare. This is mainly because dishes, fragile glassware, and pans are awkwardly shaped, breakable, and vulnerable to deformation.
The hardest to pack are kitchen appliances, which are heavy to lift, tricky to disassemble, and cost a fortune.
In such scenarios, the best way to pack the kitchen is to get the right packing supplies, moving boxes, and moving equipment to transport things safely.
Alternatively, you can hire professional packing services to pack and move kitchen items.
In this blog, we walk you through a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the challenges of packing kitchen items when moving to your new home.
Step 1: Less is More! – Declutter and Donate Your Kitchen Items
Before packing your kitchen, organizing the items you don’t need anymore is imperative.
Toss and Purge Items That Are No Longer in Use.
The first thing to do is find all the extra kitchen appliances, canister sets, plastic kitchenware, counter organizers, and old pantry items expiring soon.
Then, grab a cardboard box, stack these items, and purge them, as they are no longer used by you or someone else.
Decluttering is the best way to make room for more in your new kitchen when you move.
Donate Perishable Items That You Can’t Carry With You.
Before packing, check each drawer and the refrigerator for items you no longer need. Make a list of extra frozen berries, pantry items, vegetables, olive oil, sauces, etc., that are hard to carry but still in good condition. Some condiments sitting on your shelves and gathering dust can be easily given to donation centers, shelter homes, charities, or community centers.
Donating excess kitchen items will help those in need and allow you to carry fewer items when moving.
Step 2: Intelligent Packing is the Key – Gather Supplies
Now that you’ve made a list of items you will purge, it’s time to gather the right packing supplies, papers, and moving boxes for the safety of your kitchen items during the move.
You must set aside a moving budget for them.
Moving Boxes of all sizes
You need small, medium, and large boxes to transport your breakable items and oddly shaped utensils.
- The 6.0 cu. ft. moving box is heavy-duty and perfect for packing appliances such as panini sandwich makers, glassware, and stemware sets.
- The 4.0 cu. ft. boxes are large boxes appropriate for packing plastic containers, dish racks, baking trays, etc.
- The small 1.5 cu. ft. box is suitable for keeping small and medium-sized items such as cookbooks, plates, silverware, etc.
How Many Boxes Do You Need When Packing a Kitchen?
Estimating how many boxes you require to pack a kitchen varies from person to person. Since your kitchen items come in different shapes and sizes, you need specific boxes suitable for your unique needs.
However, here’s a rough estimate:
- Small boxes- 8-10
- Medium boxes- 3-5
- Large boxes – 2-3
- Specialty boxes – 1-2
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is ideal for packing fragile items such as plates, vases, and glassware, as the extra cushioning layer protects them from breaking during the move.
Glass Divider Kit
Glass divider kits are recyclable boxes that are highly useful for packing valuables of varied sizes.
For example, a single glass divider helps you sort and accommodate 20-30 glasses, wine bottles, stemware collection, vases, and oil dispensers in a medium, heavy-duty moving box during the move.
This moving box prevents kitchenware from shifting and sliding when the box is lifted.
Packing Tape
Your kitchenware will require many boxes, each sealed with secure adhesive tape. Hence, consider buying strong, durable, and high-quality packing tape and dispensers to seal the boxes and prevent your items from getting thrown or dropped.
Permanent Markers
With many boxes ready to move, it’s essential to label them. When packing and labeling your boxes, use a permanent marker, highlight what is included in the box, and mark “fragile,” “handle with care,” and “this side up” instructions.
Step 3: Set Aside a Few Essentials (Not everything needs to be packed!)
You know when they say, “Ate and left no crumbs?” In this case, leaving some essentials before the moving day is advisable.
In other words, ensure you don’t pack your entire kitchen, leaving no item accessible towards the end.
We recommend making a box solely to keep essentials you will need until the last day of moving.
Keep a list of running items and place them inside an essentials box for the final day of moving:
- Essential utensils include a handful of plates, spoons, and one knife.
- Breakfast essentials such as your single-serve coffeemaker, toaster, mugs, etc.
- One pan or a bowl.
- Countertop cleaning cloths, all-purpose cleaner.
The list can be modified according to your requirements, but keeping aside a medium-sized box with essential grab-and-go items will make a significant difference on the final moving day.
Step 4: Pack Items you Rarely Use
The best way to get packing done is to start somewhere.
Once you’ve set aside your essentials, you can focus on packing unused or seasonal items from your kitchen.
Some items, like cookbooks, fancy dinnerware, glassware, stemware, and artwork, are used only occasionally.
Packing these first will help you complete most of the packing, reducing last-minute chaos and confusion.
Step 5: Master How to Pack Pots and Pans
When packing a kitchen, the trickiest task is determining how to pack heavy and oddly shaped pans, pots, and other cookware.
Knowing the right packing techniques can help avoid damage during the move.
Here’s how to pack pans and pots when moving:
Clean each pot and pan
Before wrapping, ensure all your pots and pans are cleaned and washed.
Place two layers of bubble wrap at the bottom of the moving box, adding extra cushioning and preventing the bubble wrap from chipping.
Wrap each pot and pan
Wrap one pot with packing paper or bubble wrap and place it inside the box. Do the same with another pot and place it inside the larger pot.
Nest smaller pans and pots inside the larger ones.
The next step is to stack your pots and pans in groups of three, using the Russian doll-packing method. To save space, you place the smaller pans inside the larger ones.
Fill the gaps
Use a medium-sized box that can accommodate heavy pots and pans. After packing all of them, ensure there are no gaps in between.
To add cushioning, you can fill those gaps by placing lighter kitchenware or other moldable items, such as sponges, all-purpose cleaning cloths, or towels.
Step 6: Know How to Pack Silverware and Flatware Safely
Your silverware, knives, or flatware sets are the easiest to pack but risky.
Here’s how you can pack silverware and flatware:
Place packing paper at the bottom of the box
Again, you place crushed packing paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the moving box. This prevents the silverware from chipping and clinking.
Bundle all the knives and put packing tape.
Next, bundle all the knives and silverware together, place the sharp ends facing one direction, and secure them with packing tape.
Place the silverware inside the box and label it.
Once these knives and spoons are stacked together, carefully put them inside a small box and label it “sharp.”
Tip: If your silverware is loose, don’t fret. Secure the edges, bundle it with plastic stretch wrap, and carefully place it inside the box.
Step 7: Learn How to Pack Glasses and Stemware
Packing glassware and stemware can be the most overwhelming part of the process, but it’s manageable.
The steps are similar to packing pans and silverware except for slight changes.
Here’s how you can pack your glasses when packing a kitchen for a move –
Choose the correct moving box
Investing in the proper moving box is crucial. For packing glasses, you should go for glass divider kits or dish pack kits, which allow you to vertically place bottles, wine glasses, or other fragile items.
Use packing paper and bubble wrap.
Wrap each glass like folding a burrito. Before placing the wrapped glasses inside the dividers, cushion the box with crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap.
Fill the empty spaces.
Use packing peanuts to fill gaps in between. Remember, you can use kitchen cloths or towels to add extra cushioning.
Step 8: Know How to Pack Dishes
Packing your dishes is crucial as they are too much in quantity and delicate. Here’s how you can pack your dishes safely:
Organize them
Firstly, take your dishes out of your drawers and sort them aside. Keep your medium-sized boxes ready with packing paper and packing tape.
Secure the bottom of the box.
Use good-quality packing paper and create 2-3 layers at the bottom. The added cushioning helps prevent cracks and damage.
Place items in rows
Wrap each dish individually and arrange them in rows. The key is to keep heavier items at the bottom and the lighter items above.
Fill the gaps
Remember to keep the box packed with no empty gaps between the dishes. Use packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or dish towels in between.
Packing dishes with the best packing paper or bubble wrap is the key to preventing damage during the move. Yet, there are a few questions that you still need to ask when packing them:
Should I pack dishes vertically or horizontally?
It is good to wrap all your dishes together and pack them vertically. The chances of breaking are lower this way. To know how professional packers pack dishes, check the video below –
Step 9: How to Pack Wine and Liquors
You need the right moving supplies to pack wine and other liquor bottles. Follow this step-by-step approach to packing wine for moving:
Choose the right packing supplies.
Use towels, glass dividers, and bubble wrap cushioning roll to keep your glass bottles intact and safe from breaking.
Wrap and keep them in an upright position.
Wrap each bottle safely with bubble wrap and keep them upright while pacing inside the box.
Avoid putting them next to each other.
While placing the bottles inside the box, ensure you use cardboard separators, towels, or layers of packing paper in between. Avoid placing two bottles together, as the chances of colliding increase.
Step 10: How to Pack Pantry Items
Your fridge and pantry are the essential kitchen items you must set aside well in advance. Things to keep in mind before packing the kitchen pantry:
Go easy on the grocery 2-3 weeks before the moving day.
Before your moving day, ensure you don’t overstuff your refrigerator with vegetables, fruits, and other items.
Toss the items that are expiring soon.
Canned items or other pantry items close to expiration need no packing, especially for long-distance moving.
Use plastic boxes and zip-locks
Pantry items can be heavy to carry; hence, to save space, use plastic boxes with snapping lids, ziplock packets, or put them inside your holloware.
Donate your pantry items.
Let’s face it: Your unopened kitchen pantry items have taken up extra space in your kitchen for a long time. They need to be moved to a better place.
Hence, donate your pantry to someone who needs it, such as a charity, food shelter, or community center.
Step 11: How to Pack Sharp Knives for Moving
Pack your knives in bundles so they don’t touch each other during loading and unloading. Here’s how you can pack sharp knives for moving:
Organize them
First, categorize your knives as (butter, chef’s, or carving knives) and cover them in four bundles.
Wrap them from one end to another.
Take one end of the knife, roll a piece of packing paper, and take it to the other end. Repeat the same with the other knives and wrap the edges with straps.
Secure the bottom of the box with packing paper.
Before putting your knives, place bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper at the bottom of the box. Leave 1-2 inches gap between the knives.
Label the box and occupy the space.
Place a layer of crumpled packing paper or paper towels in a labeled small moving box. Place your bundles of knives into the box and fill any space with extra dishcloths, paper, or bubble wrap.
Step 12: Learn How to Pack Small Kitchen Appliances
Your small kitchen appliances are delicate to wrap, mainly when wrapping them for a long-distance move.
From packing air fryers to rice cookers, toasters, and coffee makers, you need to learn how to disassemble the removable parts of the appliance, safely pack them, and carefully place them inside the box.
Here’s how you can pack your kitchen appliances for moving:
Clean your appliances
The first thing to do is remove all crumbs or dirt from the appliances. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth to wipe the dirt off.
Disassemble detachable parts
No appliances can be packed as they are. To pack them safely, remove any removable parts from the coffee maker, such as the water reservoir or a drip tray.
Pack these parts separately and label them. Ensure you also carry a user manual for reassembling the parts later.
Pack them with bubble wrap.
Pack the main body of the appliance with extra layers of bubble wrap. The appliance is vulnerable to shocks and vibrations during the move, so pack it with 2-3 layers of bubble wrap.
Fill the spaces with foam peanuts.
Foam peanuts or crumpled packing papers at the bottom or between the gaps provide additional padding and secure your appliances from smashing into each other.
Seal the box with tape.
After placing the appliances, seal the box tightly with adhesive packing tape and mark “fragile” and “handle with care” labels.
Step 13: How to Pack Large Kitchen Appliances
Packing large kitchen appliances for a move is daunting, considering their fragility. Stoves with glass tops, ovens, refrigerators, etc.
have removable parts that need careful disassembly and reassembly. Whether you hire professional movers or do it yourself, use the proper technique to avoid huge damage costs.
Follow a step-by-step approach for packing large appliances, such as a refrigerator:
Clean the appliance
Ensure your appliances are clean and empty before packing. Remove leftovers from the fridge, unplug it, and defrost it.
Detach parts
Remove drip pans, hinges, and shelves and pack them separately.
Use appliance movers
Fridge and flat appliance dollies are ideal for carefully moving the appliances. Once you place the appliance upright on the dolly, secure it with moving straps for better protection.
Moving a fridge requires extraordinary effort. Enlist the help of friends, relatives, or moving companies to ensure it reaches your new home safely.
Step 14: Secure the Boxes and Label them Correctly
Your packed kitchen items are an army of boxes. To have them easily accessible, ensure you use permanent markers and mark down even the minute details on the boxes.
Labeling boxes for moving helps you spot what you need, how to carry the boxes, and how to sort them inside the moving trucks.
To keep your valuables and fragile items safe, label boxes with instructions such as “handle with care,” “fragile,” and “this side up.”
Once labeled, use dollies, hand trucks, and other sturdy moving equipment to load these boxes and transport them onto the trucks safely.
Step 15: Hire a Moving Company
Moving a kitchen is a manageable task, but it requires special attention. You have numerous plates, bowls, or silverware to pack and safely handle delicate appliances and fragile glassware.
You can trust a professional moving company‘s expertise in appliance assembly and disassembly, specialty moving, packing your garage, and fragile item packing.
They are also well-versed in using the right packing supplies. They can easily navigate the challenges of wrapping oddly shaped utensils or moving a dishwasher, giving you the peace of mind of packing a kitchen.
Wrapping Up
Voila! The challenging and most complex part is over. Now, you only need to clean up the kitchen, cabinets, drawers, and countertops before you bid adieu to your home.
Considering the delicate items involved, moving and packing kitchen items is challenging.
Remember, you must know how to pack fragile glassware, detach appliance parts, or ensure your utensils are not prone to damage or cracks when laying them inside a moving box.
FAQs
How long does it take to pack a kitchen for moving?
Packing a kitchen varies as every kitchen has different sets of items, but for the most part, it takes 1-2 days to pack the entire kitchen.
If your kitchen items include large appliances and dishes, it may take up to 3-4 days to pack thoroughly.
How much does it cost to pack a kitchen?
Packaging a kitchen costs around $100-$400 when done alone. Alternatively, packing a kitchen with the help of movers can increase the costs, as the cost of hiring professional movers can reach $500-$1,000.
How to pack cookware for moving?
Gather necessary moving supplies and boxes before packing your cookware. First, clean all the pots and pans.
Next, place the smaller cookware or pans inside the larger ones. Then, fill the gaps between them using packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
Lastly, seal the box with packing tape and label it correctly.
How far before a move should you start packing the kitchen?
It’s best to start packing your kitchen at least one month before your final moving day.
The key is to pack the rarely used items first and then the frequently used items. Remember to keep essentials aside and pack them separately.
How do you pack dishes to move without newspapers?
Newspapers are a big no-no for packing dishes. This is because they leave ink that doesn’t come off quickly.
Dishes can only be packed with bubble wrap or packing paper. Stack the plates vertically in the box and put crumpled packing paper or packing peanuts to fill empty spaces, reducing the risk of chips or breaks.
What to put between plates when packing?
Place foam sheets, bubble wrap, or kitchen towels around the plates to add cushioning. This prevents the plates from colliding and shattering during the move.
