How to Pack Kitchen Items When Moving

Make packing a breeze with tips on sorting and protecting your best kitchenware

By
Diane Schmidt
Diane Schmidt

Diane E. Schmidt is a moving expert who writes from experience; she has moved over 28 times and has lived in four countries, 10 cities, two towns, and a coastal village.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/14/22
kitchen items laid out for packing

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 6 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 day
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $50 to $100

The kitchen is probably the hardest room to pack when you are moving your household to a new residence. With all its small supplies, pots, pans, utensils, drawers, and cupboards, not to mention food, a kitchen has more objects of dissimilar shapes and sizes than any other room in the home. And kitchens typically don't have too many things to give away or donate, since most kitchen supplies and appliances will be used in the new home. Consider packing your kitchen in phases so you can still cook or prepare a meal until the last minute. A systematic, step-by-step approach is essential when it's time to pack kitchen items for moving.

Necessary Boxes and Other Supplies

A variety of different boxes are needed to move a typical family-sized kitchen. Kitchen packing boxes are available at various retailers specializing in moving vans and equipment. Home improvement centers also sell kits of moving boxes and supplies. Quantities can be adjusted if you have a particularly large or small kitchen. Here's a checklist of the types of boxes you'll need to move your kitchen:

  • Large boxes are best for lightweight, hard-to-pack items such as plastic kitchenware, dish racks, small appliances, and baking tins.
  • Medium boxes are best for heavier items such as small appliances, pantry items, pots and pans, kitchen utensils and silverware, contents of drawers, and cookbooks.
  • Heavy-duty boxes have thick, double walls, perfect for packing fragile items, such as plates, glasses, stemware, wine, and canisters.
  • Unprinted news-wrap paper will help you pack fragile items, including food items and small appliances. Purchase a 4- to 5 -lb. bundle.
  • Cell kits are extremely useful for packing glasses, stemware, wine, and liquor bottles. They can also be used to pack figurines, vases, and canisters. Check the sizes of your cell kits to ensure they'll fit into the boxes you have.
  • Packing/sealing tape and labels can be purchased in bulk, as you'll need them for packing all your rooms.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Markers
  • Tape dispenser

Materials

  • 5 Large boxes (18 x 18 x 24)
  • 10 Medium boxes (18 x 18 x 16)
  • 5 Heavy-duty boxes (18 x 18 x 28)
  • Unprinted news-wrap paper (4 to 5 lbs.)
  • 5 to 10 cell kits (18 x 18)
  • Packing/sealing tape
  • Labels

Instructions

How To Pack Kitchen Items

items for packing up the kitchen

The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  1. Sort, Select, and Simplify

    Before you move, select the items you're taking with you and cull out the items you're leaving behind. Make sure you have "homes" for the things you won't be taking, and check to make sure you're not moving items that shouldn't be packed. Go through each cupboard and drawer and be very selective. Donate unneeded items to shelters or food banks, have a garage sale, or give them to friends and neighbors.

    deciding what to part with prior to packing

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  2. Prepare an Essentials Box

    One of the most important kitchen packing hacks is to set aside the things you'll need for your last two days in your current home and the first two days in your new home. The essentials box can include dishes, cutlery, food items, appliances (coffee maker/toaster), dishtowel, dishcloth, cleaner, and soap.

    preparing a kitchen essentials box

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  3. Collect Packing Materials

    For a family-sized kitchen, you'll need the items listed above. It is best to have all boxes and packing materials you'll need to ensure a swift and efficient packing experience. Use leftover newspaper to pack spaces around items in boxes, but unprinted news-wrap paper is better since it has no ink to rub off on items.

    gathering packing materials

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  4. Pack Items Not Frequently Used

    Start packaging kitchen items in your cupboards and drawers that you don't use on a daily basis, including:

    • Vases, crystal
    • Food storage containers
    • Wine glasses
    • Mixing bowls
    • Cookie sheets, pie pans
    • Small kitchen appliances can be packed in boxes, such as mixers and blenders
    • Cookbooks
    • Extra dish towels, dishcloths, and oven mitts
    • Special utensils, such as barbecue tongs, meat mallets, ladles, and spatulas
    • Special-event dishes, such as serving plates, condiment dishes, and cream and sugar containers
    • Pictures and wall hangings
    packing up items that aren't frequently used

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  5. Pack Wine, Liquor, and Other Unopened Bottles

    Wine and alcohol can be packed early on in the process. Select the bottles you plan on opening between now and the move, and pack everything else. Other items you may want to pack now are food items that are in glass bottles that are still sealed, such as cooking oils, specialty oils, and fine vinegar. Remember to ask yourself if the weight of each item is worth the cost of moving it. For expensive items such as aged olive oils, balsamic vinegar, or truffle oil, it may be worth the cost of moving. For many items, though, it may be more efficient to buy new bottles when you reach your new home.

    packing up wine and unopened liquor

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  6. Pack the Drawers and Shelves

    Start with the messiest drawer. Get rid of extra items or items you no longer use. Rule of thumb: If you haven't used it in the last six months, don't move it.

    Pack the cutlery drawer, keeping only one set per family member. These sets will be kept in your essentials box.

    If you still need to pack your cookbooks, do it now. Remember to pack books flat to prevent bending the spines. Place the books in the box according to preference; keep the books that are most used on top. If there's a book you'd like to include in your essentials box, keep it out, but make sure you only set aside one—your essentials box should be only for the most critical items.

    packing up the kitchen drawers

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  7. Pack Dishes

    Assemble the cell boxes for glasses and stemware. Take your time with this step, ensuring items are packed well. This is also the time to pack plates and bowls, and any odds and ends.

    packing up dishes and plates

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  8. Pack the Pots and Pans

    Keep at least one all-purpose pot for your essentials box. Pack the rest, including lids and crockery.

    packing up pots and pans

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  9. Pack the Pantry

    The pantry should've been sorted by now, with only those items you want to move separated out. Start with the spices, then work your way to the larger items. Canned goods aren't worth moving unless you're performing the move yourself. Again, check the weight of each item and consider the cost to move it. Tape up any opened food packages and get rid of all perishables, including freezer items, unless your new home is quite close.

    packing up pantry items

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

  10. Prepare the Appliances

    Make sure you properly prepare large appliances for your move. It should be done at least 24 hours in advance. Improper preparation can lead to gas leaks, broken parts, and appliances that won't work. Read the manuals, and if you're unsure of how to prepare them, call a professional.

    making sure appliances are emptied out

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

FAQ
  • What should you not pack when moving?

    Items from your kitchen you should not pack for your move include perishable food, most plants, and household cleaners. Foods can spoil in transit; plants can die while being moved long distances; and cleaners can leak and cause fires and other toxic situations if left in a moving van for long periods of time.

  • How many boxes do I need to pack a kitchen?

    You'll probably need more different-sized boxes than you think to pack an average kitchen. To get started, consider five small boxes, 10 medium-sized, and five large ones. Three extra-large boxes can hold small appliances.

  • How do you pack appliances without a box?

    Large appliances don't need boxes. If you're using a moving company, they may include wrapping the appliances as part of their services or you may need to do it yourself using stretch wrap and/or moving blankets.

    To prepare appliances, disconnect them and use moving tape to secure the cords to the appliances. If you're taking a refrigerator, make sure it's completely defrosted (so it won't leak). Remove racks from your oven and dishwasher and secure them in a box. Washer and dryer drums need to be secured properly so check the owner's manual for instructions. If you're moving your own appliances, you'll need a moving dolly.