Packing up your kitchen is probably one of the most tedious rooms to pack up, but no need to panic! With a little planning and a few helpful tips, you’ll be on your way to moving your stuff to storage in no time flat.
Just like any job you’ll need the right tools. Here’s our suggestion for a regular sized kitchen:
- 6 to 8 large storage boxes (for added strength, be sure to double tape the bottom of the box) – Use this sized box for small appliances, plastic-ware, mixing bowls, etc.
- 10 or so medium sized storage boxes – food from the cupboards, cookbooks, etc.
- 5 or 6 small storage boxes – flatware, cooking tools, canned goods, etc.
- Specialty boxes like cell kits are also available at a little higher price, but are terrific for fragile items like stemware.
- Newspaper, non-print paper, bubble-wrap and tissue paper (I personally like using plain white tissue paper for packing because it’s clean, easy to work with and eco-friendly)
- Packing tape
- Sharpie marker pens
Make a Plan
First off, it’s very easy to underestimate how much time it will take to pack up your kitchen. Be sure to give yourself ample time so you don’t end up rushing and not packing properly. As a good rule, add 4 hours to however much time you think it will take. For example, if you think it will take you 6 hours, add 4 more for a total of 10 hours. Besides, it’s better to overestimate and possibly be pleasantly surprised if it takes less time.
Packing is a great time to get rid of stuff you no longer use or need. Have a couple of boxes ready and keep close by while you’re packing, one for charity and one for trash. And you’ll end up packing less!
If you’re not moving the entire contents of your kitchen to storage, be sure to label a few boxes for those particular items.
Begin with stuff that you don’t use as often, you’re “good” china, fancy glassware, bread-maker, etc. Wrap them with your choice of wrap, but be careful not to use newspaper on items where the ink could transfer. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it and use non-printed paper.
Once you start filling a box, fill the voids with bubble-wrap, various kitchen towels/washcloths (bathroom towels work well too). This will help stuff from shifting and potentially causing damage during transport.
Be careful not to overload the storage boxes making them difficult to move.
Once you’ve filled up a box, properly tape it closed and label it. Move it to a location in your home where it’s not in the way. Working your way through the kitchen in this manner will have you packed up in no time at all!
Here are the top 5 best kitchen packing tips we’ve gathered over the years:
- Leading up to the day of packing, try to limit how much groceries you buy. Instead, eat your way through what you already have in the cupboards. Eating more means packing less.
- Wrap your silverware tray in plastic wrap. This will keep it fully intact.
- If you’re not taking the fridge and stove, be sure to pull them out. You’ll be surprised what you might find!
- If you’re like most people, there’s a junk drawer somewhere in your kitchen. This is a great opportunity to clean it out, but don’t wait until the day your packing to do it. For stuff that’s ended up in the drawer that has a proper home like tools and office supplies, put them away where they belong. Minimize the “junk” and get organized!
- You’re a big kid now, buy “good” sturdy boxes and supplies. Cheap supplies will only risk your stuff getting damaged or broken when transporting to storage.