If you’ve ever moved before, you know the kitchen is one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack.
And for good reason–virtually everything in it is breakable, sharp, large, or perishable, and it’s hard to know how to move any of it safely or efficiently. In this post, we’ll share our top tips for packing your kitchen and how to go about moving your kitchen like a pro.
Let’s dive in.
5 Pro Tips for Packing and Moving Your Kitchen
Does your kitchen feel like chaos? Don’t worry–you’ll be cooking again in no time with these five tips:
1. Focus on preparation
Before you start packing your kitchen, prepare as much as possible. Dispose of or donate items that you don’t need (duplicate utensils, for example, or outdated appliances) and gather the right moving materials for the job.
As you go through your kitchen, build a mental “must-have” list. Be ruthless about discarding duplicates, broken items, or anything you don’t use.
Once that’s done, bring your moving boxes (we sell high-quality moving materials that are perfect for packing the kitchen) and arrange them in the kitchen, so you’ll have them handy when you start packing.
2. Keep your kitchen functional until the last minute
We’re all for advance packing, but your kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. This means it needs to stay functional until the day you walk out of your home for the last time.
With that in mind, we recommend setting aside a few essentials, even as you work on packing up your cabinets and drawers. These include:
Enough cutlery, glasses, and plates/bowls for each member of your family.
Important utensils you use daily, like a cutting knife and a wooden spoon.
A frying pan and pot.
A strainer and a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Cleaning and sanitizing products for kitchen counters and appliances.
Optional extra appliances you often use, like a toaster or a coffee maker.
By keeping these things handy, you’ll make it possible to continue cooking in your kitchen, even as you get it ready to move.
3. Begin packing
Now that you’ve set aside your must-pack and must-bring items, it’s time to start packing your kitchen. Have your boxes, packing materials, and a few markers handy.
We recommend starting with seldom-used items like baking supplies, special event dishes, and accessories.
Keep in mind that kitchen boxes can get very heavy, and it’s essential to avoid overpacking boxes. Not only does this make the boxes hard to move, but it increases the risk that the items inside of them will break or sustain damage.
Here are a few additional packing tips to keep in mind:
Line the inside of the box. Use scrunched-up packing paper, clothing, dish towels, or other items to cushion and protect your items during the move.
Wrap plates, bowls, and mugs individually in packing paper. Secure the packing paper with cling wrap.
Place plates horizontally into boxes to help reduce the risk of damage.
If you intend to add two layers of items to a box, place a cushion of packing paper between the two layers first.
Never place breakables like glasses at the bottom of a box.
Wrap utensils into groupings of 4-6 to keep them uniform and make them easy to move.
Pack sharp knives into a large Tupperware container, or wrap them in a kitchen towel secured with rubber bands to prevent cuts and injury.
Pack pantry items and canned goods into a small box. Wrap breakables that contain liquid into a plastic bag to help prevent leaks.
Pack small- and medium-sized appliances into individual boxes that keep them secure during transport.
4. Be especially careful with stemware and delicate items
Fragile stemware is one of the most challenging kitchen items to move. To keep it safe, wrap each item individually and purchase specially-designed boxes with cardboard dividers to protect each glass from pressing against the others during transit.
Even if you have room left over in the box, avoid stacking anything above stemware. Instead, pack paper into the box securely and make the entire thing as fragile, with items indicating which side should stay upright.
5. Move your own perishables
Even if you’ve hired a moving company, movers typically won’t transport perishable food for you. While it’s best to phase out grocery shopping a few days before your move, any leftover items can be moved with you in your vehicle, packed securely into a cooler with ice.
Gallo’s White Glove Service is Here for You
If you’re facing an upcoming move, Gallo Moving & Storage is here to help you pack and move your kitchen safely and securely.
Our skilled movers will pack your entire kitchen, from your stemware to your appliances, and load it into our secure, contained moving trucks. The result is a fast, painless move that protects your items and helps you arrive at your new home as quickly as possible.
5 Professional Tips for Packing and Moving Your Kitchen
If you’ve ever moved before, you know the kitchen is one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack.
And for good reason–virtually everything in it is breakable, sharp, large, or perishable, and it’s hard to know how to move any of it safely or efficiently. In this post, we’ll share our top tips for packing your kitchen and how to go about moving your kitchen like a pro.
Let’s dive in.
5 Pro Tips for Packing and Moving Your Kitchen
Does your kitchen feel like chaos? Don’t worry–you’ll be cooking again in no time with these five tips:
1. Focus on preparation
Before you start packing your kitchen, prepare as much as possible. Dispose of or donate items that you don’t need (duplicate utensils, for example, or outdated appliances) and gather the right moving materials for the job.
As you go through your kitchen, build a mental “must-have” list. Be ruthless about discarding duplicates, broken items, or anything you don’t use.
Once that’s done, bring your moving boxes (we sell high-quality moving materials that are perfect for packing the kitchen) and arrange them in the kitchen, so you’ll have them handy when you start packing.
2. Keep your kitchen functional until the last minute
We’re all for advance packing, but your kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. This means it needs to stay functional until the day you walk out of your home for the last time.
With that in mind, we recommend setting aside a few essentials, even as you work on packing up your cabinets and drawers. These include:
By keeping these things handy, you’ll make it possible to continue cooking in your kitchen, even as you get it ready to move.
3. Begin packing
Now that you’ve set aside your must-pack and must-bring items, it’s time to start packing your kitchen. Have your boxes, packing materials, and a few markers handy.
We recommend starting with seldom-used items like baking supplies, special event dishes, and accessories.
Keep in mind that kitchen boxes can get very heavy, and it’s essential to avoid overpacking boxes. Not only does this make the boxes hard to move, but it increases the risk that the items inside of them will break or sustain damage.
Here are a few additional packing tips to keep in mind:
4. Be especially careful with stemware and delicate items
Fragile stemware is one of the most challenging kitchen items to move. To keep it safe, wrap each item individually and purchase specially-designed boxes with cardboard dividers to protect each glass from pressing against the others during transit.
Even if you have room left over in the box, avoid stacking anything above stemware. Instead, pack paper into the box securely and make the entire thing as fragile, with items indicating which side should stay upright.
5. Move your own perishables
Even if you’ve hired a moving company, movers typically won’t transport perishable food for you. While it’s best to phase out grocery shopping a few days before your move, any leftover items can be moved with you in your vehicle, packed securely into a cooler with ice.
Gallo’s White Glove Service is Here for You
If you’re facing an upcoming move, Gallo Moving & Storage is here to help you pack and move your kitchen safely and securely.
Our skilled movers will pack your entire kitchen, from your stemware to your appliances, and load it into our secure, contained moving trucks. The result is a fast, painless move that protects your items and helps you arrive at your new home as quickly as possible.
Ready to learn more? Contact us or start your free quote today.