When it comes to packing, everyone has a room that seems to be the most difficult one for putting in a box. The kitchen seems to be the most dreaded one by far. All of the oddly shaped, breakable, pointy and sharp objects truly attest to its reputation of being the hardest room for packing. But, have no fear! This simple guide will give you all the necessary information in order to pack your kitchen without breaking a sweat.

Categorize and simplify

Before the packing itself, select what you want to take with you to your new home. All the rest should be sent to a proper home or donated to shelters and food banks. Don’t be too picky. Be honest with yourself when deciding what you really need. Some of those items haven’t been used for years, right? If you weren’t moving, you wouldn’t have known that you’ve had them all this time. 

Important packing supplies

• Let’s start off with boxes. Go for all sizes, but load on medium and small-sized ones. Bigger can be filled with lightweight items such as plastic kitchenware, small appliances, baking tins, and dish racks. Pantry items, silverware, pots and pans, drawers contents, cookbooks and such should fin their place in medium-sized boxes. Heavy duty boxes are perfect for fragile items, such as plates, glasses, and stemware, since they have thick, double walls.
• Paper beats rock, so this is what you wrap your fragile items with. Old newspapers come in handy for plates and glasses. To save your silverware and good quality china from tarnishing, use acid-free tissue paper.
• Ducktape. Get lots of it. You’ll be needing it for all of the rooms. We also suggest investing in a packaging tape dispenser. They’re on the cheap side and will save you some time and nerves.
• Cell kits show their full potential when packing wine and liquor bottles. You can also use them for packing vases, figurines, and canisters. Be sure to check their sizes so that they fit nicely into the boxes they’re meant for.
• You’ll need an abundance of marker pens and stickers, having that they are applicable for every box in the house. Label each box carefully and precisely. Going through 20 of them named ‘kitchen’ when you’re looking for plates is not that helpful. Start with color coding, since a visual reference is always a good way to go. Each room should have its own color. So, now that you’re packing your kitchen in, let’s say, red boxes, proceed with specific labeling. One should have everyday bowls, the other place, and so on.

Essentials box

If you want to pack your kitchen right, you should have a box like this one. It is for the last days in your old home and first days in a new one. Some of the items you can find in there include cutlery, dishes, some food items, dishcloth, cleaner, soap and such.

Start to pack your kitchen

Items that you don’t use on a daily basis should go first. These are usually stacked on the high shelves or in the deep, dark and forgotten drawers. They include vases, crystals, some special utensils such as spatulas, meat mallets, and barbecue tongs. Special-event dishes belong here as well. Also, let’s not forget the pictures and wall hangings.

Next, come the bottles

Wine and alcohol can be packed earlier than other things. Put aside a few that you plan on opening before the move, and pack the rest. All glass bottles can go with this tour. Quality cooking oils and fine vinegar are worth the cost of moving, so it is wise not to throw them away, as you would any plastic contained one.

Drawers and shelves get their turn now

The messiest ones should get the priority. Make sure to get rid of all the stuff you no longer need. A simple rule to follow: haven’t used it in six months – you’ll do fine without it. When packing the cutlery drawer, single out only one set per each family member. They will be stored in your essentials box. If you have cookbooks, this is also the time to pack them. Don’t forget to pack them flat, so that you may avoid bending the spines. Put the most used ones on top. If you think one belongs in the essentials box, don’t exceed that number. That box is reserved for the most vital items.

Moving to the dishes

Start by covering the bottom of the box with some bubble wrap. Proceed by wrapping each plate with packing paper, and stacking them neatly one at a time. An extra layer of packing paper or bubble wrap in between every three dishes is a nice safety touch. Wrap wine glasses and coffee mugs in t-shirts or any other piece of cloth. You’ll pack your kitchen a bit cheaper if you save the expense of extra bubble wrap. If you acquired them, cell kits would also do an excellent job.

Pots and pans take the main stage

Find the right-sized box by placing your biggest pan into it both horizontally and diagonally. If the lid can be closed, you’re good to go. If not, a larger one should do the trick. Pots and pans should stack up easily since no breakage is a threat. Packing paper should go around the glass lids, just in case. One all-purpose pot should find a place in your essentials box.

Food time

If there ever was a time to unclutter your pantry, this is it. Throw away anything past the expiration date, and sort out the rest. Any usable food that you no longer want can be donated. When packing, begin with spices, and work your way to bigger items. Unless you’re moving on your own, canned goods aren’t worth the move. Every item has its cost of moving based on its weight, so keep that in mind.