How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving: A Step-by-Step Guide

The kitchen is the hardest room to pack when moving. It has more fragile items than any other room, more awkward shapes, and the most things that need to stay accessible until the last day. A typical 2-bedroom apartment kitchen takes 3 to 5 hours to pack properly when someone knows what they are doing, and significantly longer when packing blind for the first time.

This guide covers exactly how to pack a kitchen for moving, from supplies to the final “open first” box, with the same approach our Move Indy packing crews use on every job.

What You Need to Pack a Kitchen

Before you touch a single cabinet, gather your supplies. Using the wrong materials on kitchen items is the most common cause of breakage.

The essentials:

• Sturdy double-walled boxes in small and medium sizes. Small boxes for canned goods, jars, and heavy items. Medium boxes for appliances and general kitchenware. Do not use large boxes for kitchen items, they become too heavy and too risky.
• Dish barrels (also called dish pack boxes) for your most fragile items. These are double-walled boxes specifically designed for dishes and glassware, typically 18x18x28 inches. U-Haul, Home Depot, and Lowe’s carry them.
• Unprinted packing paper, at least two full packs for a standard kitchen. Do not use newspaper. The ink transfers to your dishes and requires washing everything before you unpack.
• Bubble wrap for stemware, ceramic pieces, and anything with thin edges or protruding parts.
• Heavy-duty packing tape and a second roll as backup.
• Permanent marker and labels.
• Ziploc bags in quart and gallon sizes for hardware, cords, and small parts.
• Plastic wrap or stretch wrap for silverware trays and liquid-prone items.

If you need boxes delivered before moving day, our packing supplies page covers box sets, tape, and packing paper delivered across the Indianapolis metro and Hendricks County. For free box options, see our guide on where to get moving boxes.

Before You Start: What to Throw Away Before Moving

The most efficient thing you can do before packing a kitchen is cut down what you are actually moving. Go through every cabinet and drawer and ask one question: have I used this in the last 12 months?

Pull and discard:

• Expired pantry items, spices, and condiments
• Duplicate utensils (most households have 4 spatulas, move 2)
• Appliances that are broken, rarely used, or that you already planned to replace
• Open containers of cleaning supplies that are less than half full
• Anything that will be cheaper to replace than to pack and transport

For a 2-bedroom apartment, cutting 20 to 30 items from the kitchen before packing typically saves an hour of pack time and one full box. Donate usable items to a local food bank or Goodwill before your move date.

After you purge, prep your boxes. Double-tape the bottom of every box before packing anything, including a second strip of tape across the center seam. Boxes fail at the bottom, not the sides. Line the inside bottom of each box with 2 to 3 sheets of scrunched packing paper before placing any items.

How to Pack Pots, Pans, and Cookware

Should you wrap pots and pans when moving? Yes, but the goal is preventing scratches and keeping lids secure, not fragile-item protection. Pots and pans are durable but expensive, and non-stick coatings scratch easily.

The nesting method works well and saves significant box space:

1. Start with the largest pot or pan.
2. Place a sheet of packing paper or a soft cloth inside it.
3. Nest the next size down inside, paper between each piece.
4. Continue nesting until you have a stack 3 to 4 pieces deep.
5. Wrap the entire stack in 2 to 3 sheets of packing paper and place it in a sturdy medium box.

For lids, wrap each one individually in a single sheet of packing paper and pack them vertically on their edges in a box lined with paper, like vinyl records. Do not stack flat lids, they slide and crack under weight. Alternatively, secure lids to their pots with rubber bands or stretch wrap before nesting.

For cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens: pack them individually in their own paper-wrapped bundle at the bottom of a small or medium box with heavy items on top. Cast iron is heavy enough that it can damage other items below it.

For cavities inside large pots, slow cookers, and mixing bowls: fill them with lightweight items like dishcloths, spice packets, or small utensils. Tape or stretch-wrap the lids closed before boxing. This is one of the best ways to save box space in the kitchen.

How to Pack Dishes for Moving

Dishes are where most kitchen damage happens. The key rule: plates pack vertically, not flat. Stacking plates flat puts all the weight and pressure on the bottom plate. Packing them on their edges (like vinyl records standing up) distributes weight evenly and dramatically reduces breakage.

Step-by-step for plates:

1. Start with a dish barrel or double-walled medium box, double-taped at the bottom.
2. Line the bottom with 4 to 5 inches of scrunched packing paper.
3. Wrap each plate individually in one sheet of packing paper. For china or fine ceramic, add a second sheet.
4. Bundle 3 to 4 wrapped plates together with an additional sheet of paper around the group.
5. Place each bundle vertically on its edge in the box, not flat. Lean bundles against each other like books on a shelf.
6. Fill all gaps with scrunched paper so nothing shifts in transit.
7. Add a top layer of packing paper, then close and label the box “FRAGILE, DISHES, THIS SIDE UP.”

For bowls: nest smaller bowls inside larger ones with a sheet of paper between each, then wrap the entire stack and place it on its side in the box. Keep heavy dishes at the bottom and lighter items on top.

How to Pack Glasses for Moving

Glasses break when they tip onto their sides during transit. Pack them upright, not on their sides.

Step-by-step for glasses and stemware:

1. Crumple a half-sheet of packing paper and stuff it inside the glass to add internal support.
2. Set the glass in the center of a full sheet of packing paper.
3. Roll the glass by tucking and folding the paper around it as you go.
4. Secure the wrapped glass with tape or a rubber band.
5. Pack glasses in rows, upright, in a dish barrel or sturdy medium box.
6. Place a layer of scrunched paper between each row.
7. Do not stack glasses directly on top of each other. Use paper between every row.

For wine glasses and stemware: wrap the stem separately from the bowl before rolling. Add a layer of bubble wrap around the outside of the rolled piece for stem protection. Stemware is best packed in a dish barrel, never a standard box.

The box should feel full and firm when you close it, no shifting. If you can hear items moving when you gently shake the closed box, open it and add more packing paper before moving on.

How to Pack Small Kitchen Appliances

For appliances you still have the original box for: use it. Original packaging is designed to protect the appliance in transit and is almost always the safest option.

For everything else:

1. Remove all detachable parts (blades, bowls, paddles, carafes).
2. Wrap loose parts individually in packing paper and place them in a labeled Ziploc bag.
3. Tape or wrap all cords and place them in a Ziploc bag attached to the appliance.
4. Wrap the appliance body in 3 to 4 sheets of packing paper, securing all edges.
5. Add a layer of bubble wrap for heavier or more fragile units like blenders or stand mixers.
6. Pack in a box sized to fit snugly. Pad all sides with scrunched paper so the appliance cannot shift.

Label each box with the appliance name and write “THIS SIDE UP” if it matters for orientation.

For coffee makers: drain all water from the reservoir and carafe. Remove and wrap the carafe separately. The reservoir is usually the part that cracks in transit.

For refrigerators and freezers: these need to be emptied, defrosted, and dried 24 hours before the move. Tape the doors shut or use moving straps. Our crew handles appliance moving as part of every local move at no extra charge.

How to Pack Kitchen Knives and Cutlery

Knives require special handling because they stay sharp even inside a box.

For the silverware tray: lay the entire organizer flat on a sheet of stretch wrap and wrap it several times to keep all pieces in place. Tape the ends shut. This keeps the whole tray intact and eliminates the risk of spills into the box.

For kitchen knives: do not pack knives loose in a box. Wrap each knife individually in several sheets of packing paper, folding over the blade and securing with tape or a rubber band. Write “SHARP” on the outside of the paper. Place wrapped knives in a small box with other soft or padded items, never mixed with glass.

For knife blocks: wrap the block with all knives still inside, then tape the block so no knives can slide out. Wrap in paper, then place in a box.

How to Pack Pantry Items and Liquids

Pantry packing has two rules: small boxes only, and liquids get extra protection.

For canned goods, jars, and dry goods: use small boxes. A full small box of cans is already 20 to 30 pounds. Medium and large boxes of cans are back injuries waiting to happen and they fail at the seams.

For open bottles of oil, vinegar, hot sauce, soy sauce, and similar liquids:

1. Place plastic wrap over the mouth of the bottle before screwing the cap back on.
2. Stand them upright.
3. Pack them inside a double-layered plastic trash bag placed inside the box. If anything leaks, the bag contains it.
4. Alternatively, place all liquid bottles in a plastic tote or bin, they can go straight into the truck without a box.

For spices: wrap individual spice jars in a single sheet of packing paper and pack them together in a small box. Spice jars tend to be light, so a small box of 15 to 20 jars is fine. If any caps are loose, add a layer of plastic wrap under the lid.

Movers will not transport certain items regardless of how they are packed. This includes open or partially used containers of bleach, paint, propane, and other flammables. Plan to use up or discard these before moving day.

Your “Open First” Kitchen Box

Pack this box last and label it clearly before loading it on the truck.

What goes in the “open first” box:

• Coffee maker and 2 to 3 mugs
• One skillet and one saucepan
• 2 plates, 2 bowls, and silverware for eating
• One sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Dish soap and a sponge
• Paper towels
• One roll of toilet paper
• Phone charger
• Any prescription medications

The goal is to function in your new home for the first 24 hours without digging through boxes. Pack this box the night before your move and keep it in your car rather than on the truck so you always know where it is.

How to Label Kitchen Boxes

Every kitchen box needs four things written on the outside before it leaves the room:

1. Room: Kitchen
2. Contents summary: Dishes, Glasses, Coffee maker, etc.
3. Fragile status: FRAGILE if the box contains glass or ceramic
4. Orientation: THIS SIDE UP on fragile boxes

Write on the top and at least two sides of every box. Movers stack boxes in the truck. A label that is only on one side may face the wall and be invisible. Writing on the sides means the label is visible no matter how the box is positioned.

What Are the 5 Biggest Kitchen Packing Mistakes to Avoid?

1. Using boxes that are too large. Oversized boxes get too heavy, break at the bottom, and require you to fill empty space with material you probably do not have. Use small and medium boxes for the kitchen without exception.
2. Stacking plates flat instead of vertical. Flat-stacked plates break. Vertical packing distributes weight correctly and is how professional movers pack every job.
3. Not double-taping box bottoms. Boxes fail at the bottom seam under weight. Double-tape before you put anything in the box.
4. Using newspaper instead of unprinted packing paper. The ink transfers permanently to dishes, glasses, and appliances. Unprinted packing paper is inexpensive and widely available, there is no reason to use newspaper.
5. Not labeling boxes until after the move. Unlabeled kitchen boxes are impossible to prioritize during unloading. Write the labels while you pack, before you seal each box.

Skip It Entirely: Move Indy’s Kitchen Packing Service

If you would rather have a professional packing crew handle the kitchen, that is exactly what we do.

Move Indy offers full-service packing where our crew brings all the supplies and handles every room or just the rooms you designate. Full kitchen packing typically takes our 2-person crew 1.5 to 3 hours depending on how much is in the kitchen. We bring all the boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and dish barrels. Nothing on your list to track down.

Partial packing is available if you want to handle the easy stuff yourself and have us focus on the fragile and difficult items. Just let us know when you book.

Packing service starts at $175/hr for 2 packers. Free box delivery is included with packing service bookings across the Indianapolis metro and Hendricks County.

We also offer local moving services across central Indiana starting at $175/hr for 2 movers plus 1 truck.

Ready to take the kitchen off your list? Call 317-520-1473 or get a free moving estimate and we will handle the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest room to pack when moving?

The kitchen is consistently the hardest room to pack. It has the highest concentration of fragile items (dishes, glasses, ceramic), the most awkward shapes (appliances, pots), and the most items that need to stay in daily use until moving day. A professional packing crew packs a kitchen first among all rooms precisely because it requires the most time and attention.

Should I wrap pots and pans when moving?

Yes, but primarily to protect the non-stick coating and prevent scratches rather than to protect against breakage. Use packing paper or soft cloths between nested pieces. Bubble wrap is not necessary for most cookware unless it includes ceramic or glass components.

What will professional movers not pack?

Professional movers will not pack flammables (gasoline, propane, lighter fluid), hazardous chemicals (bleach, paint, certain cleaning products), live plants, open containers of motor oil, and aerosol cans. Check with your moving company before packing day for a complete list specific to your move.