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The kitchen is almost always the last room anyone wants to pack, and the first room where things go wrong. Between the fragile glassware, the oddly shaped appliances, and the half-empty spice jars you keep telling yourself you'll use, it can feel like an endless puzzle. But with a solid plan and a little patience, your kitchen can go from fully stocked to safely boxed in a single afternoon. Here is how to do it room by room, shelf by shelf.
Start With What You Rarely Touch
Before you even grab a roll of packing tape, take stock of what you actually use day to day. That fondue set collecting dust above the fridge? The holiday cookie cutters tucked behind the mixing bowls? Pack those first. Most kitchens have an entire layer of "occasional" items that can be boxed up weeks before moving day without affecting your daily routine. This approach works whether you are in a compact San Francisco apartment or a spacious home outside Sacramento.
Pro Tip: Keep one "last meal" box aside with a skillet, a pot, plates for each person, utensils, dish soap, and a sponge. You will thank yourself on the final night when you can still make dinner without digging through sealed boxes.
Wrapping Dishes and Glassware
Plates and bowls should be wrapped individually in packing paper and stacked vertically in a sturdy box, like records in a crate. Standing them on edge actually reduces the chance of cracking compared to flat stacking. For glasses and stemware, stuff crumpled paper inside each one first, then wrap the outside. Place them upright in a box with cardboard dividers if you have them. If not, a grid of rolled-up newspaper works surprisingly well.
Tackling Small Appliances and Gadgets
Blenders, toasters, stand mixers, and coffee makers are bulky and often awkwardly shaped. If you still have the original box, use it. Otherwise, wrap each appliance in a towel or packing paper, secure cords with rubber bands or twist ties, and place them in medium-sized boxes with padding on every side. Resist the urge to toss loose utensils in around them. One bump in the moving truck and a stray spatula can scratch or crack a housing.
Pro Tip: Take a quick photo of how your appliances are set up before unplugging them. It makes reassembly at your new place much faster, especially for multi-part coffee machines or food processors with specific blade arrangements.
Pots, Pans, and Bakeware
Heavy cookware belongs at the bottom of a box, with lighter items layered on top. Nest pots and pans together with a sheet of packing paper between each one to prevent scratching. Lids can be paired and wrapped together, then placed on edge. Cast iron should be wrapped in towels or old T-shirts for extra cushion. Baking sheets and cutting boards can be packed vertically in a tall box alongside cookie sheets and cooling racks, much like filing folders in a drawer.
The Pantry Problem
This is where most people lose momentum. Open bags of flour, half-used bottles of oil, and spices from three apartments ago can turn a packing session into a sorting marathon. Be honest with yourself about what is worth transporting. Sealed, unexpired items make the cut. Anything open, expired, or nearly empty should be used up, donated, or tossed. For what you keep, group pantry items in small boxes and seal any open containers in zip-top bags to prevent spills during transit. Families moving across the Portland metro or down the coast to San Diego will appreciate lighter loads over holding onto that dusty bag of quinoa.
Labeling That Actually Helps
"Kitchen" written on the side of a box is a start, but it will not help much when you are staring at fifteen boxes all labeled the same thing. Add a second line describing the contents: "Kitchen: everyday plates and mugs" or "Kitchen: baking supplies." Use a different colored marker or tape for fragile boxes so the moving crew can handle them with extra care.
Let Us Help You Move
A well-packed kitchen sets the tone for the entire move. If you would rather leave the wrapping and heavy lifting to experienced professionals, request a free quote from Chipman Relocation and let the team handle every plate and pan with care.
