Why the Kitchen Is the Hardest Room to Pack
Of all the rooms in your home, the kitchen consistently causes the most stress when moving. It’s full of fragile items, odd-shaped cookware, half-empty bottles, and appliances with removable parts that go missing easily. Pack it poorly and you’ll be dealing with broken crockery and leaking bottles at the other end. Pack it well and you’ll be cooking in your new home the same night you arrive.
What You’ll Need
- Sturdy double-walled boxes (medium and small)
- 2–3 packs of packing paper (2.5 kg each)
- Bubble wrap for fragile items
- Foam dividers or cell kits for glasses and wine
- Strong packing tape
- Permanent marker for labelling
- Zip-lock bags for small parts
Start With What You Don’t Use Daily
Begin packing the kitchen 1–2 weeks before moving day, starting with items you rarely use: the good china, special occasion glassware, baking equipment, seasonal items. This clears space and means your daily cooking isn’t disrupted.
Plates: The Right Way
Never stack plates flat in a box — they’re far more likely to break. Instead, wrap each plate individually in packing paper and stand them on their edge, like records in a crate. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper. A box of plates packed this way can survive a rough ride without a single chip.
Glasses and Mugs
Invest in cell-divided box inserts if you have a lot of glasses — they’re worth it. Otherwise, wrap each glass in two sheets of packing paper and pack them upright. For stemware, stuff the inside of the glass with crumpled paper first, then wrap the outside. Never put glasses on top of heavy items.
Pots, Pans and Cookware
These are your most durable items — they just need protection from scratching each other. Place a sheet of packing paper between each pan when nesting them. Lids can go in a separate box standing upright. Heavy cast-iron pieces should go in small boxes on their own — never heavy items in large boxes.
Appliances
If you have original boxes, use them. If not, wrap appliances in moving blankets or bubble wrap. Remove any detachable parts (blender jugs, coffee machine carafes, mixer bowls) and pack these separately in a labelled box. Make sure appliances are clean and dry before packing.
Liquids and Pantry Items
Use your move as an opportunity to declutter the pantry — don’t pack things you won’t use. For items you are keeping, seal any open bottles with plastic wrap under the lid, then pack them upright in small boxes. Never pack liquids in large boxes with heavy items.
Label Everything Specifically
Don’t just write “Kitchen” on the box. Write “Kitchen — fragile glasses”, “Kitchen — pots and pans”, “Kitchen — pantry dry goods”. This makes unpacking significantly faster and tells the removalists how carefully to handle each box.
Need Professional Packing Help?
Safepack Removals offers full and partial packing services across the Gold Coast. Our team uses quality materials and knows exactly how to pack every room efficiently and safely. See our packing service, add it to your cart and we’ll call you to arrange everything, or call 0452 158 226. You can grab all the boxes, paper and tape on this list from our box shop.