The kitchen is the most time consuming room to pack in the entire house — and the most likely place for things to break if you rush it. Between the fragile dishes, heavy pots, sharp knives, and full pantry, there’s a lot going on. The good news is that with the right order and the right supplies, it’s very manageable.
Here’s how our movers recommend tackling it.
Declutter First
Before you pack a single box, do a sweep of every cupboard and drawer. Get rid of anything chipped, cracked, or broken. Donate duplicate appliances and gadgets you haven’t used in a year. Check your pantry for expired items and condiments that aren’t worth the move. The less you pack, the less you carry — and the less you have to unpack at the other end.
Get the Right Supplies
The kitchen requires more packing supplies than any other room. You’ll need packing paper — not newspaper, which leaves ink on everything — bubble wrap for your most delicate items, dish pack boxes for plates and glassware, medium boxes for pots and small appliances, and cell divider inserts for stemware and wine glasses. Pick up more packing paper than you think you need. You’ll use it all.
Pack in the Right Order
Start with things you don’t use regularly — holiday dishes, specialty appliances like the panini maker, vases, cookbooks, extra baking trays, and anything stored at the back of the cupboard. Work toward the items you use daily, leaving out only what you need for the final few days before moving day.
Dishes and Plates
Use dish pack boxes for plates — they’re double-walled and built for the weight. Place a thick layer of crumpled packing paper at the bottom of the box. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, then stack them on their edges — not flat. Plates are significantly less likely to break when standing upright. Add packing paper between every layer and fill any gaps before sealing.
Glasses and Stemware
Cell divider boxes are the safest option for glasses and wine glasses. Wrap each piece individually in packing paper, place them upright in the dividers, and never stack anything on top of glasses. Fill every gap with crumpled paper so nothing moves in transit.
Pots, Pans and Lids
Nest smaller pots inside larger ones to save space and pack them in medium boxes. Place a sheet of packing paper between each pot to protect the finish. Glass lids should be wrapped separately in bubble wrap — they’re far more fragile than the pots themselves. Keep box weight under 45 lbs for pots and pans.
Knives and Sharp Utensils
Wrap knife blocks in plastic wrap and place them in a box with soft items around them. For loose knives, wrap each one individually in several layers of packing paper, folding the paper over the blade first. Label the box clearly — your movers need to know what’s in there before they pick it up.
Small Appliances
Original boxes are ideal for small appliances if you have them. If not, wrap each appliance in bubble wrap, place it in a medium box, and fill gaps with packing paper. Wrap cords neatly and tape them to the appliance so they don’t get lost.
Pack an Essentials Box Last
The night before your move, pack one clearly labeled essentials box with everything you’ll need in the first 24 hours at the new place — a mug, coffee maker, kettle, a plate and set of cutlery for each person, dish soap, a sponge, and paper towels. Load this box last so it comes off the truck first. You’ll be very glad you did.
Brothers Moving has been helping families and businesses relocate since 2008. We serve Metro Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Langley, Abbotsford, White Rock and Horseshoe Bay. We also move clients across Vancouver Island including Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River and Parksville, and throughout BC including Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Chilliwack and Prince George.
Ready to move? Call us at 604-720-0931 or get a free quote online today.