There is no more important room than the room that feeds your belly. Packing up your kitchen can be tricky, as it is a room in use even on the morning of your move. Read on to learn some pro tips and tricks.
They say the way to the heart is through the belly. I couldn’t agree more! That’s why when it comes to packing up your entire house it’s best to plan ahead to know how to make everything feel as homey as possible while causing as little disruption to your daily life as manageable during the move.
1. Starting off right
The kitchen should be packed up in two stages
1. The extra clutter such as baking goods, non essential items such as pots and pans, extra plate sets and silverware.
2. Stage two is done during the last day leaving only the essentials so you’ll be able to make eggs, coffee, toast and the basics.
2. Stage Right Before One
Get those packing supplies in order! When going to buy packing items, consider buying in bulk or looking for deals and discounts to save money or getting some of the items from someone that just moved for free.
Having all the supplies on hand will make the kitchen packing process run smoothly.
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic bins
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Scissors
- Furniture covers
3. Stage One: The non essentials
- Start by boxing up cabinet by cabinet the less used items. Depending on how early on you are starting, take into consideration any big events that may require baking or major cooking.
- Declutter! As a general rule any baking or cooking appliance you haven’t used in the last 2 years should be given away or sold. Even though you may have dreamed of that professional taco maker and used it once, doesn’t mean it deserves a place on your limited shelving.
- When packing up extra cans and shelved goods, double check the expiration dates and expect to be grossed out of yourself and food waste.
- All pots and pans that are not the key couple used everyday should be stacked with packing paper in a box and labeled away.
- Appliances such as coffee makers, grinders, blenders, food processors, toasters, kettles and more should be boxed separately when applicable and kept together with all their separate parts. Wrap the cords around the item itself so nothing critical gets lost in the frenzy.
- As many dishes that are extra and non essential should be safely wrapped up and packed away at this stage.
Pro tip- Labeling as detailed as possible at this stage will save lots of headaches and confusion at a later point.
4. Before Stage Two: Share the Love Baked Home Cookies
Make the last hurrah a fun one! Bake some chocolate chip cookies to bring to your new neighbors at the new home. Cookie dough freezes well and can be popped in the oven simply for home baked goodness.
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- /2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
How to Make the Love:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use non-stick baking sheets.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients part by part to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Stage Two: The Essentials
Now that we are just days away from the move, get ready to live on take out. This is the part where we pack up all the major essentials and things left around the kitchen.
Pro tip- save the coffee maker packing for last! You’ll need it.
- Now the time has come to pack up those essentials such as last plates, forks, knives and the works. After cleaning the last of the dishes ensure to pack them with plenty of bubble wrap to make sure they arrive in one piece. Make sure to label this box clearly on all sides as KITCHEN ESSENTIALS so you’ll be able to unpack this critical box asap in the new home.
- Now you will likely be living off take away and Dunkin Donuts coffee and bagels, so embrace it, get a little unhealthy, and enjoy the indulgence.
- When packing up the essentials, don’t forget to eat beforehand. Enjoy your last moments in your current home to their fullest by being fully prepared and present with your own gear.
- The kitchen is a challenging room to pack up, but don’t get discouraged. Once this room is behind you this move has got nothing on you!
Wrapping things up- kitchen style
All in all, a move is a challenging thing, and planning the packing of a difficult room such as a kitchen ahead of time can help keep the peace of mind at home. Use your personalized inventory checklist when you arrive at your new home to ensure all pieces arrived safe and sound, and have all essentials ready and on hand.
The kitchen should be packed in two stages, non essential items, and then a few days before the move, the essentials join in. I hope this article has made the planning of your move a little simpler, and you can get a jump start on packing up your kitchen today!
Frequently Asked Questions: Packing Your Kitchen
When should I use a packing service?
Professional movers will work at lightspeed to get all your items packed up safely in record speed. While you might get stuck sorting through old nostalgia, they will have your entire home packed up and bubble wrapped in no time. If you can afford this service and don’t mind giving the control over to someone else, go with the packing service option.
How can I keep this moving goal realistic and attainable?
Every time you finish packing up another box or room, take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments. Acknowledging the small milestones helps you reach the bigger ones. This will keep you motivated and boost family morale. Finishing up packing a room and cleaning it out is a bigger task than usual. Reward yourself and your family.
How can I know if a mover I chose is a scammer or cheater?
Gut feeling is the best answer. If any company you are considering asked you to pay the entire amount up front or pay a huge down payment, this is a really bad sign of a scammer.
You shouldn’t pay more than 10% to a mover that has yet to do the job. While down payments are common, a huge amount of funds should not be spent on this. As well you should check your mover has a DOT registration number and no recent bad accident records or claims. Moving APT helps you avoid this mess.
How can I successfully pack up my whole house before my move?
Plan ahead, ensure to have a proper checklist of your items and enough packing materials on hand. Proper planning saves the stress of packing up at the last minute and having items get lost. Don’t think it’s possible to pack up an entire home in one day unless you are a professional moving service.
What is the best time of year to move?
If you are looking to save a dollar or two, the winter months especially mid week, and midday are the cheapest time to move. Most people move in the summer in order for their kids to start the academic year off and also prefer not to miss a day or work. You can potentially save hundreds of dollars by changing your schedule.
