How to Pack a Kitchen for a Move (Without Breaking Anything)

Kitchens hold more fragile, oddly shaped items than any other room. With the right supplies and a little patience, everything can arrive in one piece.

Get the right supplies

• Small and medium sturdy boxes. Heavy dishes in large boxes are hard to lift and more likely to break.
• Packing paper, which is cleaner than newspaper.
• Bubble wrap or towels for the most fragile pieces.
• Strong packing tape and a marker.

Plates and bowls

Line the bottom of each box with crumpled paper. Wrap plates individually and stand them on their edges, like records, rather than stacking them flat. Fill gaps so nothing shifts.

Glasses and stemware

Stuff each glass with paper, then wrap the outside. Pack them upright in a box with dividers if you have one, and add a layer of padding between rows.

Small appliances

Clean and dry appliances before packing. Use original boxes if you still have them, and tape cords to the appliance so they don't tangle.

Pantry and fridge

Use up what you can in the weeks before. Seal open packages, and keep perishables for a cooler that travels with you instead of on the truck.

Label clearly

Mark every box with "Kitchen", a short list of what's inside and "Fragile" where needed. It helps your movers and makes unpacking much faster.

Short on time? Our packing and unpacking service can handle the kitchen, or the whole house, for you.