Pack Your Kitchen Like the Pros for Your Next Move

When you’re packing for a residential move into a new home, there’s one particular room that tends to inspire a bit of dread — the kitchen.

Not only is this important room packed with lots of fragile, oddly-shaped, breakable, and various-sized objects, it’s hard to know what to pack and when. After all, you still want to be able to grab a snack or a glass of water, even as moving day approaches.

Packing up such a bustling, highly-trafficked room can feel intimidating. Fortunately, a bit of planning and organization simplifies the kitchen packing process. Read on to learn how to pack and move your kitchen like a pro.

Edit Your Items

Start the kitchen packing process well before moving day. Your first mission — to eat as much perishable food from the freezer, fridge, and pantry shelves as you can. This will both cut down on waste and optimize packing space.

Next, edit the non-edible contents of your cupboards and drawers. Separate the essentials that you’ll keep from the items you can donate, sell or give away.

Focus on duplicates or items you don’t use regularly; they’ll simply take up valuable space in your moving boxes. Do you really need three colanders? Can you get rid of that ice cream maker that you forgot you even owned? As a general rule, if you haven’t used something for over a year, get rid of it.

Gather Packing Materials

Your kitchen is filled with items of all sizes, shapes, and levels of fragileness — and that makes it hard to know what kind of packing materials you need to keep it secure.

Start by gathering the basics:

  • Sturdy cardboard packing boxes in various sizes
  • Packing and labeling tape
  • Plastic and bubble wrap
  • Newspaper or packing paper
  • Appliances’ original boxes and packaging (if you still have them)

Plan Ahead

Make a list of the kitchen essentials that you need to get by until moving day. After all, you don’t want to pack up the whole kitchen too soon and get stuck eating take-out three times a day for any longer than necessary.

Think about which items each family member needs: a cup, plate, mug, and set of utensils. Then think about the cookware you may need to make simple meals. Usually, a couple of pans and bowls will do. Keep out a few cleaning supplies, too, such as dish soap and a sponge.

Finally, consider items such as a coffee maker, dish towels, napkins, and a few spices that you can’t live without. All of these items can go into a special “essentials” box on moving day. Bonus: they’ll be easy to find once you’re in your new kitchen.

Pack Smart

Kitchen items can get heavy quickly, making them difficult to move. Pack larger boxes with lightweight items such as plastic dishware, dish racks, small appliances, and light metal bakeware.

Use medium and small boxes for heavy items, such as pots, pans, cookbooks, utensils, and silverware. For breakable items, such as dishes and glassware, choose thick, heavy-duty boxes that add a layer of protection.

Wrap each fragile item in bubble wrap, place them in the box, then fill in the gaps with packing paper to keep breakables safe. Consider packing dishes vertically, rather than horizontally, whenever possible. This will prevent the delicate items on the bottom from getting crushed from the weight.

As for glasses and stemware, use cardboard separators (often found at liquor or wine stores), so each piece has its own separate compartment.

A Little Prep Goes a Long Way

Packing your kitchen doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of preparation, you’ll be packed and ready for moving day in no time.

If you need help with your household packing and moving, contact us. We can make your move simple.

How to Wrap Breakables for Safe Transport When Moving

Moving is a busy time with many tasks to manage. One important detail you don’t want to overlook is prepping your breakable items for safe transport during your move. Taking proactive steps before and during your fragile items’ packing goes a long way toward ensuring they arrive at your new home fully intact.

Wrap Each Piece Individually

Separately wrapping each delicate piece is the best way to prevent any cracks or breaks because it helps prevent items from accidentally hitting up against one another during transport. Use a combination of bubble wrap to cover the item entirely and packing peanuts to cushion it in the box. If you’re looking to pack with less waste, repurpose old clothing, towels, or use thick layers of recyclable packing paper to wrap and cushion your belongings.

Use Extra Padding and Double Box

Using extra padding for fragile items, especially those valuable and sentimental objects, provides additional protection. Padding, along with a double box strategy, ensures safe and sturdy packing to accommodate delicates.

Pro Tip: Be sure to fill up all available space in both boxes to ensure there is no shifting of your belongings while in transit.

Use the Right-Sized Boxes

When moving breakables, be sure the boxes you choose to pack your items in are:

  • Small to medium size for ease of handling.
  • Sturdy enough to hold the size and weight of your belongings.
  • Contain enough extra room to fit packing materials to cushion your possessions.

Whatever type of boxes you choose, be sure not to overpack any of them because this can increase breakage during the moving process.

Position Heavy Items on the Bottom

After you wrap your fragile possessions, strategically pack these items by positioning the heaviest items on the bottom. This approach helps to prevent heavier items from crushing the lighter and more delicate pieces. It also ensures enough weighted support at the box’s base to keep it firmly in place during the move.

Tape the Bottom of All Boxes

Securing the bottom of any cardboard packing boxes with a generous amount of packing tape ensures they don’t separate under their contents’ weight. Be sure to avoid using rope, duct tape, masking tape, or another type of tape that is not designed for this purpose. Use packing tape that is at least two inches wide and apply it using the H-taping method to secure your boxes.

Clearly Label Each Box

Clearly labeling any box or plastic bin containing fragile items lets anyone handling them know to take extra care. Use a black Sharpie marker or buy packing tape that is stamped with the word “fragile.” After labeling, write “this side up” on the box to ensure that people handling them don’t accidentally turn the boxes upside down.

Looking for Help With Your Next Move?

When it comes to packing your breakable possessions, this is one job you don’t want to rush or take any shortcuts. Hiring an excellent moving company can ensure your valuable and sentimental items arrive safely to your new home. Our experienced movers have the experience and the equipment to get the job done right. For help with your move, call us today for a price quote.