How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving — Step-by-Step Guide

The kitchen is almost always the most time-consuming room to pack. You've got fragile crockery, heavy appliances, oddly shaped utensils and food cupboards that somehow expanded since you last looked. Pack it well and moving day is easy. Rush it and you'll be picking up shards of your favourite mugs at the other end.

What to pack first

Start with items you rarely use: rarely-used appliances (bread maker, slow cooker, fondue set), seasonal baking tins, cookbooks, decorative items, and anything stored in the back of cupboards. These can be packed weeks ahead. Leave everyday plates, cups and cooking kit until the day before.

How to pack plates

Plates travel better on their edge than flat — they're structurally stronger that way, like a wheel. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, then stack them vertically in the box with crumpled paper between each layer. Never stack heavy plates on top of delicate ones.

How to pack glasses and mugs

Stuff the inside of each glass with crumpled paper first, then wrap the outside. For stemware, wrap the stem separately with extra paper. Pack glasses upright in a divided box if you have one, or nest them with plenty of padding. Never overfill — a box that can't close is a box that will break.

How to pack appliances

Original boxes are ideal, but most people have thrown those away. Wrap each appliance in a layer of bubble wrap, secure the cord, and pack in a sturdy double-walled box with padding beneath and around it. Kettles, toasters and microwaves can be heavy — keep boxes to a manageable weight and label them clearly.

What to pack last

• Kettle, mugs and coffee — you'll want these on arrival day
• Daily plates and cutlery
• Dish soap and a sponge (for the first clean at the new place)
• Bin bags and kitchen roll

Box labelling that actually helps

Write the contents and the destination room on every box, and mark fragile boxes on all four sides — not just the top. On arrival, your removals team will place boxes directly in the right rooms, saving you double-handling.