All-in-One Guide to Packing Your Kitchen

When it comes to packing for a move, most people dread the kitchen, with all the dishes, appliances, and odds and ends crammed onto shelves. And it’s not a job you can rush through, because if you’re not careful in your packing, you risk finding broken dishes and shattered wine glasses when you open the boxes in your new place.

But, believe it or not, you can avoid the common mistakes and get your kitchen packed in a weekend.

Appliances

If you still have your appliances’ original boxes and packaging, use them. If not, you’ll need medium-sized packing boxes and a little ingenuity. Before packing, make sure each appliance is clean and dry. Remove smaller parts and fragile items, such as glass bowls. Next, locate the owners manual and tape it to the front of the appliance for easier assembly later. Finally, wrap the fragile pieces in bubble wrap and use a double layer of newspaper or packing paper to wrap the metal or plastic pieces. Put the appliance in the box first and stack the lighter, smaller pieces on top.

Dinnerware

Start by placing two layers of bubble wrap or packing paper on the bottom of the box. Wrap each piece of dinnerware with a thin layer of packing paper and stack them one at a time in the box, adding an extra layer of bubble wrap or paper in between every three dishes. For extremely fragile items such as wine glasses and coffee mugs, wrap them individually in T-shirts or tank tops and save the expense of extra bubble wrap.

Silverware

Loose silverware is a pain to sort out during unpacking and can damage fragile items in shared boxes. To save yourself the headache, start by sorting your silverware according to type. Wrap each type with a rubber band or piece of string. Finally, place all of the silverware in a shoebox and tape the box closed with packing tape.

Pots and Pans

To find the right box for your pots and pans, grab your biggest pan and place it into a box both horizontally and diagonally. If you can close the lid securely, the box will work. If not, try a larger box. Once you find the right size, stack your pots and place them in the box. Once the boxes are in, wrap glass lids with thin packing paper and place them underneath the handles of the pans.

Packing Food

Packing is a great time to unclutter your pantry. Sort through the items there and toss out anything past the expiration date. Any food that’s useable but that you don’t want can be donated to a local food bank. For the food you want to keep, use tote bags to carry it to your new place.

Miscellaneous Items

To save on boxes, wrap your kitchen utensils and other odds and ends with a single layer of packing paper. Once wrapped, tuck the pieces into your other boxes to fill up the last bit of unused space. For heavier items, use a small packing box.