The kitchen is almost always the most time-consuming room to pack for a move. Between the fragile dishes, heavy appliances, oddly shaped gadgets, and the fact that you need your kitchen until the last possible minute — it takes real strategy to pack it well. Here’s how we’d do it.
What to Pack First in the Kitchen
Start 2–3 weeks out with items you rarely use:
- Seasonal items (holiday dishes, serving platters, cake stands)
- Rarely-used appliances (bread maker, fondue set, ice cream maker)
- Extra sets of dishes or glassware beyond your daily set
- Cookbooks
- Decorative items (vases, art, canisters you don’t use)
Pack these first, label the boxes clearly, and set them aside. You won’t need them before the move.
How to Pack Dishes and Plates
- Use dish pack boxes (double-walled, heavier than standard boxes) — worth the extra cost
- Pack plates vertically, not flat. Vertical stacking distributes weight better and dramatically reduces breakage
- Wrap each plate individually in packing paper or newsprint — don’t skip this step
- Place a 2–3 inch layer of crumpled packing paper on the bottom of the box before loading
- Fill every gap with crumpled paper — boxes should be full with no movement when shaken
- Heavier items on the bottom, lighter items on top
How to Pack Glasses and Stemware
- Wrap each glass individually, tucking paper inside the glass as well as around the outside
- Use cell dividers (cardboard inserts) inside boxes for glasses — they prevent contact between glasses
- Pack glasses upside down on their rims — more stable than rim-up
- Never pack glasses in the same box as plates — weight difference increases breakage risk
- Stemware (wine glasses, champagne flutes) should always get their own box with cell dividers
How to Pack Pots and Pans
- Nest smaller pots inside larger ones, with a layer of packing paper between each
- Wrap lids separately and pack them on their sides or in a separate “lids” box
- Cast iron doesn’t need wrapping — it’s heavy, so pack it at the bottom of a sturdy box
- Non-stick pans: wrap each one to protect the coating from scratches
How to Pack Small Appliances
- Original boxes are ideal — if you have them, use them
- Remove any detachable parts (blender jars, food processor blades) and wrap them separately
- Secure cords with a rubber band or twist tie, then wrap them around the appliance
- Label cords if you have several similar appliances
- Coffee makers: empty the water reservoir completely and let it dry before packing
What to Pack Last in the Kitchen
The day before or morning of your move, pack:
- Your everyday dishes and glasses (keep out just enough for moving day meals)
- Cleaning supplies you’ll need for the final wipe-down
- Coffee maker — pack it absolutely last
- A “first night” box with paper plates, plastic cutlery, a few snacks, and whatever you need for breakfast the next day
Kitchen Packing Tips from Our Movers
- Use your pots as packing containers for pantry items — fill a large stockpot with canned goods or dry goods
- Don’t move open food. Eat down your pantry in the weeks before the move. Donate what you can’t finish.
- Label every box with contents AND room. “Kitchen – Dishes” is better than “Kitchen.” “Kitchen – Fragile – Stemware” is better still.
- Defrost your freezer at least 24 hours before moving day
- Budget more time than you think. The kitchen almost always takes twice as long as people expect.
Need Help Packing Your Kansas City Home?
Metro Wide Movers offers full-service packing for Kansas City area moves — we bring all the supplies and handle everything from fragile china to large appliances. Call (913) 681-7700 or request a free packing quote.
