Tips for Packing Kitchen Essentials During a Move

Diane E. Schmidt is a relocation specialist who draws from her extensive personal experienceshe has relocated more than 28 times and has resided in four different countries, 10 cities, two towns, and a seaside village.

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 6 hours
• Overall Duration: 24 hours

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: Between $50 and $100

Packing the kitchen can be one of the most challenging tasks when relocating to a new home. This space is filled with a variety of small items, cookware, utensils, and storage solutions, along with food items, making it more cluttered than any other room. Additionally, there are usually few items to discard or donate, as most kitchen tools and appliances will be needed in the new place. To make the process more manageable, think about packing the kitchen in stages, allowing you to continue cooking and preparing meals right up until the move. A methodical, step-by-step strategy is crucial when it comes to organizing kitchen items for a move.

Essential Containers and Additional Materials

To relocate a standard family kitchen, a range of boxes is essential. You can find kitchen packing boxes at numerous retailers that focus on moving supplies and equipment. Additionally, home improvement stores offer moving box kits and related materials. You can modify the quantities based on the size of your kitchen, whether it’s larger or smaller than average. Below is a checklist of the box types required for your kitchen move:

• Oversized containers are ideal for lightweight items that are difficult to pack, including plastic kitchen items, dish drying racks, compact appliances, and baking trays.
• Medium-sized boxes are ideal for packing heavier objects like small appliances, pantry goods, cookware, kitchen tools, cutlery, drawer contents, and cookbooks.
• Sturdy boxes feature robust, double-layered walls, making them ideal for securely packing delicate items like dishes, glassware, stemware, wine bottles, and canisters.
• Unprinted newsprint paper is ideal for wrapping delicate items, such as food products and small appliances. Consider buying a bundle weighing between 4 and 5 pounds.
• Cell kits are highly effective for safely packing glasses, stemware, wine, and liquor bottles. Additionally, they are suitable for packing items like figurines, vases, and canisters. Be sure to verify the dimensions of your cell kits to confirm they will fit inside the boxes you possess.
• You can buy packing and sealing tape along with labels in large quantities, as they will be essential for packing up every room in your home.

Requirements

Devices / Instruments

• Markers
• Adhesive tape holder

Materials

• Five oversized boxes measuring 18 by 18 by 24 inches.
• Ten medium-sized boxes measuring 18 by 18 by 16 inches.
• Five robust containers measuring 18 x 18 x 28 inches.
• Unprinted newsprint paper weighing between 4 and 5 pounds.
• Between 5 and 10 cell kits measuring 18 by 18.
• Adhesive tape for packaging and sealing
• Labels

Instructions

Tips for Packing Kitchen Supplies

Organize, Choose, and Streamline

Prior to your relocation, decide which belongings you will bring along and which ones you will leave behind. Ensure you have designated places for the items you won’t be taking, and verify that you aren’t packing anything that shouldn’t be included. Carefully inspect every cabinet and drawer, exercising discernment. Consider donating unnecessary items to shelters or food banks, hosting a garage sale, or passing them on to friends and neighbors.

Assemble a Basic Necessities Kit

A crucial tip for packing your kitchen is to designate a separate area for items you’ll require during the final two days in your current residence and the initial two days in your new one. This essentials box should contain items such as plates, utensils, food supplies, small appliances (like a coffee maker or toaster), a dish towel, a dishcloth, cleaning supplies, and soap.

Gather Packaging Supplies

To prepare a kitchen suitable for a family, gather the necessary supplies mentioned earlier. Having all the boxes and packing materials on hand will facilitate a quick and effective packing process. Utilize leftover newspapers to fill gaps around items in the boxes, but opt for unprinted news-wrap paper when possible, as it won’t leave ink stains on your belongings.

Bundle Up Infrequently Used Items

Begin organizing and packing away kitchen items in your cabinets and drawers that you don’t utilize every day, such as:

• Crystal containers
• Containers for storing food
• Vessels for wine
• Blending dishes
• Baking trays, tart dishes
• Compact kitchen gadgets, like mixers and blenders, can be stored in boxes.
• Cookbooks
• Additional kitchen towels, cleaning cloths, and pot holders.
• Unique cooking tools, including grilling tongs, meat tenderizers, serving spoons, and turners.
• Dishes designed for special occasions, including serving platters, condiment bowls, and containers for cream and sugar.
• Images and wall decorations

Prepare Wine, Spirits, and Other Sealed Bottles for Packing

You can start packing wine and alcohol early in the moving process. Choose the bottles you intend to use before the move and pack the rest. Additionally, consider packing sealed food items in glass bottles, like cooking oils, specialty oils, and high-quality vinegar. It’s important to evaluate whether the weight of each item justifies the expense of moving it. For high-value items like aged olive oils, balsamic vinegar, or truffle oil, the moving cost might be justifiable. However, for many items, it might be more practical to purchase new bottles once you arrive at your new location.

Fill the drawers and shelves.

Begin with the most cluttered drawer. Eliminate any unnecessary items or those you haven’t utilized recently. A good guideline is: if you haven’t touched it in the past six months, it shouldn’t be packed. Organize the cutlery drawer, retaining just one set for each family member, which will be stored in your essentials box. If you need to pack your cookbooks, now is the time to do so. Ensure the books are packed flat to avoid damaging the spines. Arrange the books in the box based on your preferences, placing the most frequently used ones on top. If there’s a specific book you want to keep in your essentials box, set it aside, but limit it to just one—this box should contain only the most essential items.

Wrap Utensils

Put together the boxes for glasses and stemware. Make sure to proceed carefully during this stage to guarantee that the items are securely packed. This is also the moment to include plates, bowls, and any miscellaneous items.

Prepare the cookware for packing.

Make sure to retain at least one versatile pot for your essentials kit. Store the remaining items, such as lids and dishes, away.

Stock the Pantry

The pantry ought to be organized by this point, with only the items you intend to take set aside. Begin with the spices, then progress to the bulkier items. It’s generally not worth the effort to transport canned goods unless you are handling the move on your own. Be sure to assess the weight of each item and take into account the expenses associated with moving them. Seal any opened food packages with tape and dispose of all perishable items, including those from the freezer, unless your new residence is nearby.

Get the Devices Ready

Ensure that you adequately prepare your large appliances ahead of your move, ideally 24 hours prior. Failing to do so can result in gas leaks, damaged components, and appliances that may not function properly. Consult the user manuals, and if you have any doubts about the preparation process, consider reaching out to a professional for assistance.

What items should you avoid packing when relocating?

When preparing for your move, there are certain kitchen items you should avoid packing. These include perishable items, the majority of plants, and cleaning supplies. Perishable foods are likely to go bad during the move, plants may not survive the journey, and cleaning products can leak, potentially leading to fires and hazardous conditions if stored in a moving vehicle for an extended time.

What is the number of boxes required to pack up a kitchen?

You may require a greater variety of box sizes than anticipated when packing a typical kitchen. To begin, think about using five small boxes, ten medium boxes, and five large boxes. Additionally, three extra-large boxes will be useful for storing small appliances.

What are the best ways to pack appliances when you don’t have a box?

When it comes to transporting large appliances, boxes are unnecessary. If you hire a moving company, they might offer to wrap your appliances as part of their service, but you can also do it yourself with stretch wrap and moving blankets. Before moving, make sure to disconnect your appliances and use moving tape to fasten the cords to the units. If you’re moving a refrigerator, ensure it is fully defrosted to prevent any leaks. Take out the racks from your oven and dishwasher, and pack them securely in a box. For washers and dryers, it’s important to properly secure the drums, so refer to the owner’s manual for guidance. If you’re moving the appliances yourself, a moving dolly will be essential.