The kitchen is the hardest room in the house to pack. It has the most items, the most fragile items, the heaviest items, and the most emotionally significant items. And it is the one room you cannot really stop using until the day you move.
I have watched thousands of moves at Castle Express, and the kitchen is almost always where things go wrong when customers pack themselves. Here is how to do it right.
Start 5 to 7 days before move day
Most people leave the kitchen for the last 24 hours. That is a mistake. You will be exhausted, stressed, and you will cut corners.
Start a week out. On day one, pack the stuff you rarely use: fine china, seasonal items, the waffle maker, the Dutch oven you pull out twice a year. Leave the basics for last.
By 48 hours before move day, your kitchen should be mostly packed. Leave out only what you need for the last few meals: one pot, one pan, a couple of plates, basic utensils, and the coffee maker.
How to wrap plates
This is the single most common packing mistake I see. People stack plates flat in a box. Then the box gets moved, the plates shift, and the bottom ones crack.
Wrap each plate individually in packing paper. Then place them on their side, vertically, like records in a crate. A plate standing on its edge is far stronger than a plate lying flat. Pack them tightly so they cannot shift. Add a layer of paper on top before you close the box.
How to pack glasses
Glasses are the second most common thing to break on move day. The secret is stuffing.
Stuff a handful of packing paper inside each glass. Then wrap the outside with another piece of paper. Place each glass upside down in the box with crumpled paper between them. Do not pack them right side up. Heavy items on top will crack the rims.
For stemware, wrap the stem separately and use dividers if you have them. Liquor store boxes with built-in dividers are great for wine glasses.
Knives
Never pack knives loose in a box. Our guys have to unload boxes, and a loose knife is a serious injury waiting to happen.
- Blade guards are best if you have them. - If not, wrap each knife blade in a folded towel or heavy packing paper and tape it closed. - Put knives in their own small box and label it clearly: SHARP. - A knife block can go in a box with the knives still in it if it is sturdy enough.
Small appliances
- Coffee maker: Empty the water reservoir. Let it dry for 24 hours. Wrap the power cord. Pack in a box with padding around it. - Blender, food processor: Separate blades from the base. Wrap blades in paper. - Toaster: Shake out crumbs first. Wrap and pack. - Stand mixer: These are heavy and surprisingly fragile. Remove the bowl and attachments, wrap each separately, and use a dedicated box with lots of padding.
The pantry
- Expired food: Toss it now. Do not pack it. - Unopened items: You can pack these. Keep them in smaller boxes. Full pantry boxes get heavy fast. - Open boxes and bags: Toss or use them up. Do not move open bags of flour or pasta. - Oil, vinegar, liquid items: Tape the lids shut. Put them in a plastic bag before packing in case they leak. - Spices: Pack them in one box. Label it so you can find them easily in the new kitchen.
The fridge and freezer
This is the part everyone forgets.
- 72 hours before move day: Stop buying perishables. Start eating what is in the fridge. - 24 hours before: Defrost the freezer. Put a towel under it to catch drips. - Night before: Empty everything that is left. Wipe down shelves. - Move day: A cooler with ice packs for any perishables you need to keep. A refrigerator takes 24 hours to cool down in the new place before you can put food in it.
Boxes and materials
Get the right boxes. Kitchen items are heavy and fragile, which is a bad combination for regular boxes.
- Dish packs: Double-walled boxes designed for plates and glasses. - Small boxes: For heavy items like canned goods, spices, and appliances. A small box fully packed with canned goods weighs 40+ pounds. A large box would break. - Packing paper and bubble wrap: You need more than you think.
When to just let us do it
Our most common Princess Packing request is the kitchen. It is the room customers hire us for when they realize how much work it actually takes.
Our Princess Packing Pro tier covers the kitchen specifically at $595. Our crew shows up with all the materials, professional dish packs, and the experience to pack a full kitchen in a few hours. For customers who want help with just this one room, that is usually what they go with.
For the rest of the home, see our full packing services or our guide on packing tips from professional movers.
We pack kitchens in West Hartford and across Hartford County every week. If yours is starting to feel overwhelming, get in touch.
- Joe Caronna, Owner, Castle Express Moving & Storage