Kitchens are consistently one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack, thanks to the sheer mix of fragile items, bulky appliances and everyday essentials still needed right up until moving day. A clear sequence makes the process considerably faster and less stressful than tackling it without a plan.
Start With What You Rarely Use
Begin packing with items used only occasionally, seasonal serveware, the fondue set, specialist baking equipment, rather than everyday essentials. This allows packing to start well ahead of moving day without disrupting normal cooking and eating routines in the run-up to the move.
Pack Fragile Items Properly
Wrap plates individually and pack them vertically, like records, rather than stacked flat, since this distributes pressure more evenly and reduces breakage risk. Glasses and mugs should be wrapped individually and packed with padding both beneath and around them, using smaller boxes that are easier to handle carefully than large, heavy ones.
Handle Appliances Correctly
Where possible, use original packaging for small appliances, since it is specifically designed to protect them in transit. For larger appliances without original boxes, clean and dry them thoroughly before wrapping, and secure any loose parts, such as blender blades or mixer attachments, separately to avoid damage or injury during handling.
Keep an 'Open First' Box for the Kitchen
Pack a clearly labelled box with kitchen essentials, a kettle, basic cutlery, a couple of plates and mugs, tea and coffee, and simple cooking equipment, so the first day in a new home does not require digging through every box to make a cup of tea. This is one of the most consistently appreciated small planning decisions among people who have moved house before.
A Practical Kitchen Packing Order
- Start with rarely used items several weeks before the move, working toward everyday essentials in the final days.
- Pack plates vertically and wrap glassware individually, using smaller boxes for genuinely fragile items.
- Use original packaging for small appliances where available, and secure any loose or sharp parts separately.
- Prepare a labelled 'open first' box with kitchen essentials for the first day in the new home.
- Leave a small set of everyday plates, cutlery and a kettle unpacked until the very last stage, since the kitchen is used right up until moving day.
A kitchen does not need to be the most stressful room to pack, provided it is approached in a clear sequence rather than all at once close to moving day. Starting early with rarely used items and finishing with a dedicated essentials box covers most of what makes kitchen packing feel overwhelming.
For anyone short on time, professional packers and movers can take on the kitchen specifically, since it is one of the more time-intensive rooms to pack properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to pack a kitchen when moving?
Starting with rarely used items several weeks ahead, and finishing with everyday essentials in the final days, tends to be the most manageable approach.
How should plates be packed to avoid breakage?
Plates should be wrapped individually and packed vertically, like records, rather than stacked flat, since this distributes pressure more evenly.
What should go in a kitchen essentials box for moving day?
A kettle, basic cutlery, a couple of plates and mugs, tea or coffee, and simple cooking equipment should be packed together and clearly labelled to open first in the new home.
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