How to Pack Your Kitchen for Moving House

Moving home can be exciting—but let’s face it, packing the kitchen is usually the toughest part. With hundreds of fragile items, odd-shaped appliances, and everyday essentials you still need to use, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But don’t worry — with the right plan, materials, and expert tips, you can pack your kitchen efficiently, safely, and stress-free.

Why the Kitchen Is the Hardest Room to Pack?

The kitchen has more fragile, heavy, and irregularly shaped items than any other room. From glassware and dishes to appliances and pantry goods, it’s a mix that demands extra care.

On average, a UK household has over 14,000 items, and nearly half of them sit in the kitchen — many unused! So before you start boxing up, it’s the perfect time to declutter and simplify.

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Step 1: Declutter Before You Pack

Before you start wrapping and taping, clear out what you don’t need.

• Toss expired food or half-empty jars

• Donate duplicate utensils, mugs, and gadgets

• Sell or recycle small appliances you never use

A decluttered kitchen means fewer boxes to move, less packing time, and a fresh start in your new home.

💡 Tip: Don’t move what you don’t love or use — moving costs are based partly on volume!

Step 2: Gather Your Packing Materials

You’ll need quality packing materials to keep your kitchen items safe.
Here’s your essential list:

• Sturdy double-walled boxes (small, medium, and large)

• Packing paper or newspaper

• Bubble wrap and stretch film

• Tape and markers for labelling

• Dividers for glasses and mugs

• Sealable bags for food and small parts

👉 Pro Tip: Heavy items (like tins or dishes) go in small boxes, while light bulky items (like plastic containers) go in larger boxes.

Step 3: Create a “First Day Kitchen Box”

Keep a separate box with the essentials you’ll need right away after moving in:

• Kettle, tea, and coffee

• A few plates, mugs, and utensils

• Dish soap and a sponge

• Snacks and basic cookware

Label this box “Open First – Kitchen Essentials” and make sure it travels with you, not in the moving van.

Step 4: Pack in Logical Order

Pack from least-used to most-used items:

1. Rarely used gadgets (blender, slow cooker, etc.)
2. Glassware and dishes — wrap each item in paper or clothing. Find out more about how to pack the glasses and dishes.
3. Pots and pans — nest them together with paper between layers
4. Small appliances — clean, dry, and wrap cords neatly
5. Food — pack dry goods, discard perishables
6. Utensils and knives — wrap securely and label “Sharp Items”

Use bubble wrap and soft materials to cushion each box. Label every box clearly by category: Plates, Cups, Appliances, Food, etc.

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Step 5: Label Everything Clearly

Labelling is your best friend when unpacking.
Use a permanent marker to note:

• The contents of the box

• The room it belongs to

• A FRAGILE warning if needed

Consider colour-coded stickers — e.g. blue for kitchen, yellow for living room — to help movers know where each box belongs.

Step 6: When to Start Packing the Kitchen

Ideally, start packing your kitchen one to two weeks before moving day.

• Week 1: Pack non-essentials (decor, glassware, seasonal cookware)

• Week 2: Pack daily items last (plates, pans, cutlery, kettle)

This gives you enough time to stay organised without disrupting daily meals.

Step 7: Can You Use Bags for Packing?

While reusable bags can be handy for light items like plastic bowls or kitchen towels, avoid them for fragile items.
Boxes provide much better protection and can be stacked safely in the moving van.

Step 8: Consider Hiring Professional Packers

If you’re short on time or want peace of mind, hiring professional packers and movers are worth it.

Expert packers can:

• Save you hours of stress and physical work

• Use industry-grade materials for fragile items

• Ensure every item is safely labelled and packed efficiently

How Many Boxes Will You Need?

Here’s a rough guide based on your property size:

This includes small boxes for heavy items (dishes, tinned food) and larger ones for lighter goods (pans, plastic containers).

How Long Does It Take to Pack a Kitchen?

Packing a kitchen is one of the most time-consuming parts of moving house, simply because of the number of fragile, irregularly shaped, and essential items you use daily. The exact time depends on the size of your home, how organised you are, and whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professional packers.

Below is a practical guide based on average UK homes:

🏠 1-Bedroom Home: Around 3–4 Hours

If you live in a small flat or one-bedroom property, expect to spend about half a day packing your kitchen.
This includes:

• Sorting and decluttering cupboards and drawers

• Wrapping delicate dishes and glasses

• Boxing up small appliances (kettle, toaster, blender)

• Packing pantry items and cleaning supplies

💡 Tip: Start early and set aside a sturdy “essentials” box with a few items you’ll need for your first night, like mugs, cutlery, and a kettle.

🏡 2-Bedroom Home: Around 5–7 Hours

A two-bedroom property usually has a busier kitchen with more cookware, food storage containers, and family dishes. It can easily take most of the day to complete.

Here’s where the extra time goes:

• Carefully wrapping larger quantities of crockery and glassware

• Sorting through multiple drawers and cabinets

• Cleaning and preparing appliances like the microwave or coffee machine

• Organising pantry and fridge items

💡 Pro Tip: Have two people packing together — one wrapping items and the other taping, labelling, and stacking boxes. This teamwork can cut your packing time in half.

🏘️ 3-Bedroom Home (or Larger): 8–10+ Hours

In a family-sized kitchen, you’re dealing with a higher volume of items — from children’s lunch boxes and cookware sets to extra appliances and utensils. Packing can easily stretch into a full day or more if you’re doing it alone.

Here’s what adds to the time:

• Larger quantities of fragile glassware and serving dishes

• Bulky pots, pans, and baking trays that need careful stacking

• Cleaning and disconnecting appliances like the dishwasher or air fryer

• Sorting frozen, chilled, and dry food safely before moving day

Other Factors That Affect Packing Time

Several factors can change how long it takes to pack your kitchen:

• Level of organisation: Declutter first to avoid wasting time packing unused items.

• Quality of materials: Having the right boxes and wraps on hand speeds things up.

• Number of helpers: Two or more people can pack twice as fast.

• Experience: Professional movers can work 3x faster than first-time packers.

If you’re on a tight schedule, pack your kitchen over two evenings before moving day — one for decluttering, one for wrapping and boxing.

Common Kitchen Packing Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Overfilling boxes — they may split during lifting:
Overpacked boxes become too heavy to handle safely and are more likely to tear or collapse, risking damage to your items.

❌ Forgetting to label fragile items:
Without clear “Fragile” labels, movers might stack or handle boxes roughly, increasing the chance of breakage.

❌ Using bags for dishes or glasses:
Bags offer little protection and no structure, leaving delicate items vulnerable to cracks and chips during transit.

❌ Leaving perishable food for moving day:
Fresh or frozen foods can spoil quickly, leak, and create unnecessary mess during the move.

❌ Not packing an essentials box:
Without a clearly marked essentials box, you’ll waste time digging through multiple boxes just to find basic kitchen items on your first day.

FAQs: Kitchen Packing & Moving

1. When should I start packing my kitchen before moving?
Start 1–2 weeks before moving day, beginning with items you rarely use.

2. What’s the best way to pack dishes?
Wrap each one individually, place vertically in a small box, and fill gaps with paper.

3. Should I pack food items?
Pack sealed dry goods only. Use coolers for perishable food or donate them locally.

4. How do I pack knives safely?
Wrap them in thick paper or bubble wrap, secure with tape, and label as Sharp Items.

5. Is it worth hiring packers for the kitchen?
Yes—professional packers save hours and reduce breakages.

6. How do I label kitchen boxes properly?
List contents clearly, mark fragile boxes, and note the destination room.

7. Can I use clothing to protect breakables?
Absolutely—soft fabrics make great eco-friendly padding.

8. Should I clean appliances before packing?
Yes, ensure all are dry and cords are wrapped neatly.

9. What’s the best size box for heavy kitchen items?
Use small boxes — they’re sturdier and easier to lift.

10. How can BookAMover help me move?
BookAMover connects you with vetted, insured local movers who offer competitive quotes — saving you time, money, and stress.