The kitchen is the most time-consuming room to pack. It has fragile items, awkward shapes, appliances, and food that needs planning. Done wrong, it costs you broken plates and wasted hours on moving day.
This guide walks you through packing a kitchen step by step.
What You Need
- Small, medium, and large double-walled cardboard boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper (newsprint)
- Packing tape
- Marker pen
- Box cutter
- Zip-lock bags for small parts
- Kitchen towels or tea towels for wrapping
- A cooler bag for fridge items
Get materials from our packing service or a local supplier.
Step 1: Declutter First
Before packing, remove anything you will not use at the new home:
- Expired food
- Duplicates (3 garlic presses? Keep one)
- Chipped or cracked plates and mugs
- Old plastic containers without lids
Every item you remove is one less to pack and move.
Step 2: Plan the Order
Pack the kitchen last if possible, and unpack it first at the new property. Work in this order:
- Items you rarely use (holiday dishes, cake tins)
- Cookware and utensils
- Glassware and plates
- Food and cleaning products
- Everyday items (kettle, mugs, toaster) last
Step 3: Pack Plates and Bowls
- Use a medium or large double-walled box
- Place a layer of packing paper at the bottom
- Wrap each plate individually in packing paper
- Stand plates on edge, not flat
- Place smaller plates in the middle of larger ones
- Fill gaps with crumpled paper
- Label the box: KITCHEN - PLATES - FRAGILE
Standing plates on edge prevents cracking under pressure.
Step 4: Pack Glassware
- Wrap each glass in packing paper or bubble wrap
- Use a divided box if you have wine glasses
- Place glasses upside down if you do not have dividers
- Do not nest glasses (they will get stuck)
- Fill gaps with crumpled paper
- Label as FRAGILE
Step 5: Pack Cookware
- Stack pots and pans with paper between each
- Nest smaller pans inside larger ones
- Pack lids separately or tape them to their pans
- Utensils can be bundled together with tape
- Place heavy cookware in small boxes to prevent box failure
Step 6: Pack Appliances
Small Appliances
- Kettle, toaster, blender: wrap in paper or bubble wrap
- Keep cords wrapped with tape or an elastic band
- Put small parts (blades, jars) in zip-lock bags and tape to the appliance
Large Appliances
- Clean and dry before moving
- Defrost the freezer 24 to 48 hours before
- Secure doors with tape
- Remove and pack any shelves separately
- Do not tip a fridge or freezer on its side during transport
Step 7: Pack Food
- Use up perishables in the week before the move
- Transfer open packets into zip-lock bags or sealed containers
- Label and date everything
- Pack dry goods (rice, pasta, flour) in one box
- Pack fridge food in a cooler bag for the journey
- Take anything that can leak or spill separately
Do not pack opened liquids, oils, or sauces in with clothes or books.
Step 8: Pack Cleaning Products
- Seal bottles in zip-lock bags
- Tape lids shut
- Pack in a separate box, clearly labelled
- Do not pack cleaning products with food
Step 9: Label Everything
Use a consistent labelling system:
- Room: KITCHEN
- Contents: PLATES, GLASS, COOKWARE
- Handling: FRAGILE, THIS WAY UP
- Priority: OPEN FIRST for essentials
A first-night kitchen box should include: kettle, mugs, tea or coffee, sugar, spoons, tea towels, and a small dish soap.
Step 10: Load the Van Correctly
- Heavy boxes at the bottom
- Fragile boxes on top
- Nothing stacked on top of a FRAGILE box
- Do not double-stack heavy kitchen boxes
Common Kitchen Packing Mistakes
- Packing plates flat (they crack under pressure)
- Nesting glasses (they stick and shatter)
- Overloading large boxes with heavy items
- Forgetting to defrost the freezer
- Packing cleaning products with food
- Not labelling FRAGILE boxes
How Long Does It Take?
| Kitchen Size | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Studio kitchenette | 2 to 3 hours |
| 1-bed kitchen | 3 to 5 hours |
| 2-bed kitchen | 4 to 6 hours |
| 3+ bed kitchen | 6 to 8 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wash dishes before packing?
Yes. Washing everything avoids moving dirt and makes unpacking at the new home much easier.
Can I leave food in the fridge during the move?
No. Empty and clean the fridge 24 hours before the move. Use a cooler bag for perishables you want to bring.
Do I need special boxes for plates?
Yes. Use double-walled cardboard boxes designed for heavy or fragile items. Standard boxes are too weak.
Should I tape box lids shut?
Yes. Tape the bottom and top securely. Use two strips on the bottom for heavy boxes.
How do I protect wine glasses?
Use a divided box or wrap each glass individually in bubble wrap and place upright. Do not stack them.
Need Help Packing?
Our professional packing service handles the entire kitchen for you. Call 07459 180023 or request a free quote.
Written by the Vano Removals team. We provide packing, removals, and storage across London and the UK.
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