How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving: A Comprehensive Guide

Packing up a kitchen can seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of planning and some smart strategies, it can be much easier than you might think. Whether you're moving across town or to a new state, getting your kitchen packed efficiently ensures that your cooking essentials arrive safely and ready to use. Here's your ultimate guide on how to pack a kitchen for moving.

1. Start Early and Make a Plan

First things first – give yourself some time to plan. Start early to avoid last-minute stress. Begin by assessing your kitchen items and creating a packing timeline. This will help you manage your time effectively and avoid any last-minute packing rush.

2. Sort and Declutter

One of the essential first steps in packing up your kitchen is sorting and decluttering. When you're moving, it’s a great opportunity to declutter and lighten your load. Take a moment to sift through your kitchen stuff and figure out what you really need. It’s easy to hold onto things like that fancy crème brûlée set you’ve never used, thinking you might need it one day. But if you haven’t touched it in over a year, it’s probably safe to let it go.

If your kitchen items are still in good shape, consider donating them to friends, family, or a local charity like Goodwill. You could also check with food banks or soup kitchens to see if they could use them.

3. Gather Necessary Boxes and Supplies for Packing Your Kitchen

Packing up a kitchen requires a variety of boxes and supplies to ensure everything is organized and protected during the move. Here’s a handy checklist to guide you:

1. Large Boxes: These are great for lighter, hard-to-pack items like plastic kitchenware, dish racks, small appliances, and baking tins. They help keep everything together without being too heavy.
2. Medium Boxes: Ideal for heavier items such as small appliances, pantry goods, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, silverware, drawer contents, and cookbooks. They strike a balance between size and weight.
3. Heavy-Duty Boxes: These sturdy boxes with thick, double walls are perfect for fragile items like plates, glasses, stemware, wine bottles, and canisters. They offer extra protection to keep your delicate items safe.
4. Unprinted News-Wrap Paper: Essential for wrapping fragile items, including food items and small appliances. A 4- to 5-pound bundle should cover most of your needs.
5. Cell Kits: These are super useful for packing glasses, stemware, wine, and liquor bottles. They can also be used for packing figurines, vases, and canisters. Make sure the cell kits fit into the boxes you have.
6. Packing/Sealing Tape and Labels: Stock up on these supplies as you’ll need them for sealing all your boxes and labeling each one to keep track of what’s inside.

Adjust quantities based on the size of your kitchen and the amount of stuff you have. With the right boxes and supplies, your kitchen packing will be more efficient and organized.

4. Pack an Essentials Box

To make your first few days in your new home more comfortable, pack an essentials box with the kitchen items you'll need right away. Include items like a few dishes, utensils, a cutting board, a knife, and some basic cookware. Don’t forget to pack a can opener and a few cleaning supplies.

To keep things manageable, it’s helpful to set aside a few essentials that you’ll need right up until moving day. Here’s a quick list of what to pack last:

1. Essential Tableware:
• A set of cutlery, glassware, and plates/bowls for each person in your household.
2. Basic Utensils:
• A wooden spoon and a bread knife, essential for preparing meals.
3. Cookware:
• A general-use frying pan and a medium-sized pot.
4. Prep Tools:
• A strainer and a mixing bowl for your cooking and baking needs.
5. Cleaning Supplies:
• Cleaning products for washing up, including a sponge.
6. Optional Breakfast Items:
• If you’re a breakfast fan, consider packing a kettle, toaster, and a mug for each person.

This might seem like a lot to remember, but it’ll pay off when you start packing the rest of your kitchen. Identify a specific cupboard or area to keep these essentials so they’re easy to access while you pack up the rest. Additionally, set aside a medium to large-sized box to pack these final items the day before your move, ensuring you have everything you need until you’re fully settled in your new home.

5. How To Pack Your Kitchen Items

• Plates and Bowls: Use dish packs or medium-sized boxes to pack your plates and bowls. Wrap each item individually with packing paper or bubble wrap, placing them vertically in the box for added protection. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper to prevent movement during transit.
• Glasses and stemware: For your glasses and stemware, using specialty dividers in standard boxes is the way to go. Even though these dividers offer great protection, wrap each piece in packing paper for extra safety. Avoid stacking anything on top of your glassware — glass is too delicate to handle extra weight.
• Pots and Pans: Nest your pots and pans together, placing a layer of packing paper between each item. Wrap each set with bubble wrap or plastic wrap to keep them secure. For lids, wrap them separately and place them in the same box or a small box to avoid breakage.
• Utensils and Gadgets: Group your utensils and kitchen gadgets into categories and pack them into smaller boxes. Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect more delicate items. You can also use kitchen towels or dishcloths to provide extra cushioning.
• Small Appliances: If you’re packing small appliances like toasters, coffee makers, or blenders, remove any detachable parts and pack them separately. Wrap the appliances in bubble wrap and place them in their original boxes if available. Otherwise, use sturdy moving boxes and fill any empty space with packing material.
• Knives: When it comes to knives, roll each one in a sheet of packing paper, then wrap them in a dish towel and secure it all with a rubber band. Pack knives on their side, never upright, to avoid accidents.
• Food Items: For non-perishable food items, pack them into boxes or plastic bins. Check expiration dates and dispose of anything that’s past its prime. For pantry staples, group similar items together and use dividers or smaller boxes to keep things organized.
• Pantry: By now, you should have already sorted your pantry, keeping only the items you plan to take with you. Begin with packing the spices first, and then move on to the bulkier items. Moving canned goods might not be worthwhile unless you're handling the move yourself. Evaluate the weight and cost of each item to decide if it's worth transporting. Seal any opened food packages securely and dispose of perishables, including freezer items, unless your new place is nearby.
• Perishable Food: For safety and health reasons, moving companies typically won’t transport perishable food items like milk, eggs, frozen cakes, meat, or fruit on moving day. These items won’t be packed onto the truck. To avoid waste, it's a good idea to gradually reduce your grocery shopping as moving day approaches. If you have any essential perishable food you want to take to your new home, pack it yourself in a cooler, icebox, or insulated bag and transport it by car or your chosen method to ensure it arrives fresh and safe.
• Other Items: For everything else in the kitchen, like mixing bowls, cookbooks, baking sheets, oven mitts, and food storage containers, just pack them like you would anything else. Group similar items together to make unpacking smoother, and be careful not to overload any box.

Read more: How To Wrap Chairs For Moving.

6. Label Everything

Labeling your boxes is crucial for an organized unpacking process. Clearly mark each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. For fragile items, write "Fragile" and use arrows to indicate the box’s right-side up. This will help you and the movers handle the boxes with care and make unpacking much easier.

7. Pack Wine, Liquor, and Other Unopened Bottles

When it comes to packing wine, liquor, and other sealed bottles, you can get a head start before your move. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Sort and Pack: Begin by selecting the bottles you plan to use before moving day. Pack the rest of your collection early. This includes any food items in glass bottles that are still sealed, such as cooking oils, specialty oils, and fine vinegars.
2. Consider Weight vs. Cost: Think about whether it’s worth moving each item based on its weight and value. Expensive items like aged olive oils or truffle oils might justify the cost of moving. However, for many items, it could be more practical to purchase new bottles once you’re settled into your new home.

8. Pack Items Not Frequently Used

As you prepare to move, start by packing up kitchen items that you don’t use every day. Here’s what to consider packing early:

1. Decorative and Specialty Items:
• Vases and crystal
• Special-event dishes (serving plates, condiment dishes, etc.)
• Pictures and wall hangings
2. Food Storage and Cooking Essentials:
• Food storage containers
• Mixing bowls
• Cookie sheets and pie pans
• Special utensils (barbecue tongs, meat mallets, ladles, spatulas)
3. Glassware and Appliances:
• Wine glasses
• Small kitchen appliances (mixers, blenders)
4. Miscellaneous:
• Cookbooks
• Extra dish towels, dishcloths, and oven mitts

9. Consider Special Kitchen Packing Tips

Kitchen Packing Hacks:

• Use dish towels as padding: Wrap fragile items like glasses and dishes in dish towels or cloth napkins for extra cushioning.
• Wrap entire sets: Keep matching sets of dishes and cutlery together by wrapping them in a bundle with packing paper.

Best Way to Pack Kitchen Items:

• Group similar items: Pack similar items together to make unpacking and organizing easier.
• Use clear bins: For non-perishable food and pantry items, consider using clear bins so you can easily see what's inside without opening every box.

10. Determine How Long It Takes to Pack a Kitchen

Packing a kitchen can take varying amounts of time depending on the size of your kitchen and the number of items you have. On average, it might take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to pack a standard kitchen. If you’re packing a large kitchen or have a lot of items, allocate more time.

How Many Boxes Do You Need To Pack A Kitchen?

The number of moving boxes you'll need depends on the size of your kitchen and the number of items you’re packing. For a small to medium kitchen, you might need around 10 to 15 boxes. For larger kitchens or those with a lot of items, you might need 20 or more boxes.

Get Help If Needed

If packing your kitchen feels overwhelming, consider hiring professional movers or packing services. Move4U offers expert packing services that can make your kitchen packing process smooth and efficient, saving you time and ensuring your items are packed securely.