Hello World! Welcome Friends! When you’re about to move, you have to face the challenge that is packing everything you own. It doesn’t matter whether you’re moving out of a one-bedroom apartment or a mansion. Packing is a huge job that’s impossible to do even in a single weekend. The main issue people face is figuring out how to pack items, because there’s not a one-size-fits-all packing technique.
It’s best to focus on one room at a time when you’re ready to begin packing, and the hardest to navigate may be the kitchen. There’s plenty to pack and many ways to get the job done, but don’t feel overwhelmed. Read on for great tips that will help you figure out how to pack everything in your kitchen, so it’s ready to go when it’s time to move.
1. Wait on the Pantry Items
The key to doing your packing right is to get ahead of the game, but when it comes to your pantry, you should wait until the last minute. You’re going to be cooking and using kitchenware and food right up until you move, so you’ll save yourself from having to always open and unpack the pantry box. When it does come time to box up the pantry, you can secure the lids and containers of all pantry items, bag what you don’t think will stay closed and pad it all inside a small box with either bubble wrap or extra blankets.
2. Throw in the Storage Containers
Plastic storage containers may be one of the easiest kitchen items to pack. You can throw them in any small box and not worry about padding it. If you have glass storage containers, make sure to wrap those in bubble wrap or extra-thick cushioning, and space them out, so no one box is too heavy to lift.
3. Wrap up Your Vases
Lots of people keep vases in their kitchen for those special occasions when you get a bouquet. You can trust they’re safely packed away if you stuff them with plastic bags or packing paper, then wrap them in bubble wrap. That way, it’s less likely they’ll crack.
4. Place Cookie Sheets Flat
Cookie sheets, like cutting boards or drying racks, are another easy thing to pack. You can either place them flat at the bottom of a box or stand them up against the side of a tall box. They can also act as layering in boxes with lighter objects like storage containers.
5. Keep Cookbooks Separated
Cookbooks are often heavy and maybe a little bit awkward to carry. It’ll be easiest if you spread them out across a couple of boxes and cover them in lighter objects like blankets and jackets you don’t have room for. That way, they won’t slide around or get crushed by heavier objects that could rip paper.
6. Care for Your Picture Frames
The kitchen is where you’ve made some of your most cherished memories, so you’ll probably have a few picture frames to pack, too. Wrap them up in bubble wrap and keep them at the top of any box to move them safely to your new home.
7. Secure Any Bottles
Not everything is going to be empty when it’s time to pack, like wine or beer bottles. These should be extra padded and not stored right against each other. You can even save these for designated wine or beer bags you can move yourself on your big day.
8. Designate a Fine China Box
It’s crucial any movers you may hire know which boxes are the most fragile. Pick one that will securely fit the amount of fine china or stemware you have, and label it as fragile on all sides. Pack the insides with layers of bubble wrap, so nothing gets jolted in the moving truck.
9. Use Paper for Dishes
Sometimes you can find dish sleeves when you get your moving supplies, and they work great as a thin layer of padding in a stack of plates or bowls. Another money-saving option is to line your dishes with paper.
10. Clean Any Surfaces
You may feel inclined to wash everything anyway when you get to your new home, but clean any surfaces that might pose an issue, including indoor grills or casserole dishes that might dirty anything that shares their box.
11. Tape up Large Appliances
You may be moving large appliances like your fridge and microwave. If that’s the case, clean them out, and once you’ve unplugged them, use packing tape to secure the doors closed. It’ll make them much easier to move and store.
12. Stack Pots and Pans
Pots and pans can be bulky, so when you’re boxing them up, stack them inside each other to try to save room. Prepare to use an entire box or two exclusively for cookware, since the handles will be awkward to fit perfectly.
13. Bind up Any Lids
You can use the same stacking technique for lids and use packing tape or rope to secure them in place. It will make them more compact and easier to fit in a box with other cookware.
14. Bag up Your Silverware
Forks and spoons are easy to toss in a plastic bag and wrap up. You can even store them in the tiny spaces of boxes that might be otherwise close to being full. Just make sure to wrap any knives in bubble wrap and paper, so when you unpack, you don’t accidentally grab the sharp edges.
15. Store Magnets in a Container
It may seem like you can move your fridge with the magnets on it, but they can easily fall off when movers handle the unit and slide it into the moving truck. Save yourself from losing any of them by using a sandwich bag or small container to keep them all in one place.
Moving is a big job to take on, especially if you have an entire home to pack up. Focus on one room at a time, like the kitchen. You may need to pack certain items on the day of the move than too far ahead of time, but it’s all easy to figure out if you have the right equipment. Stock up on bubble wrap, packing paper and tape, so you have everything you need when you need it.
Click the links below for any posts you may have missed!
Things to Consider Before Starting a Bathroom Renovation
Differences in Marble Worktops
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
Hopefully this will be a post I will be referring back to later this spring or early summer. We took our home off the market for the winter but will be re-listing and hopefully moving to an edited and downsized version by summer.
Kathryn, these are such great tips. Especially #9. I had moved many times before I discovered packing paper. I just collected newspapers from everybody I knew and wrapped the dishes in them. So, of course, all the dishes had black ink on them! #MakeItPrettyMonday
Great tips. One thing I always did was put my pots and pans in my trash can. It was empty and clean but it sure helped lug those heavy cast iron pans without banging around too much.
That’s a really great idea, Christine! I’ve got to remember that in case of another move. Have a great week ahead!
Great tips for your kitchen and really good ideas to remember. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Great tips, Kathryn! Thanks for sharing on Homestyle Gathering! Hope to see you each week, friend!
I had to try to get here 4 times. It came up blank. Then it finally appeared but was frozen. When I tried to swipe it crashed. Just FYI. Congratulations! Your post was my Most Clicked at #OverTheMoon this week. Visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. https://www.marilynstreats.com. Please be sure to leave your link number or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Thank you so much, Marilyn! Happy weekend!
All good tips, thank you!
Thanks for linking up to us at Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Just as you would for every other room in your home, go through and pull out the items you no longer want or need before starting to pack. Moving is the best time to edit down your belongings and lighten your load, so take a moment to separate out the things that don’t serve a purpose for you.