Moving Checklist: 8 Steps For Packing A Kitchen

blue and white platesWhen you make a moving checklist , packing the kitchen is bound to be one of the biggest jobs. It may seem overwhelming (all those drawers and cabinets …), but we can help. Use these eight simple steps, and you’ll be ready to go faster than you thought possible.

1. Simplify. This should be the first step of your kitchen moving checklist. Go through each drawer and cabinet and get rid of anything you don’t really need. Why pack chipped glasses, nearly empty condiment bottles, or things you never use? Donate useful items to friends or a thrift store.

2. Gather your packing materials. Next on your moving checklist, purchase packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and a variety of sturdy boxes. Use medium boxes for glass and heavier items. Large boxes work well for light but bulky items like baking pans.

3. Set aside the essentials. As part of your moving checklist, group the items you will need up until you leave your current apartment and as soon as you arrive in your new place. This might include paper towels, dish soap, a can opener, a sauce pan, coffeemaker, and a few dishes, glasses, and utensils.

4. Pack the nonessentials. You can get a jump on your moving checklist by starting with items you don’t use much. This may include cookbooks, vases, aprons, baking pans, and rarely used small appliances.

5. Pack breakable items. The next step on your moving checklist should be to pack up dishes, glasses, and any other fragile items. Wrap them carefully to prevent breakage. Extra dishtowels can be used as cushioning between plates.

6. Pack pots, pans, and utensils. Next on your moving checklist, pack your cookware. You can also wrap groups of utensils and cutlery and place them in this box.

7. Pack food items. As a last step on your moving checklist, pack your pantry. If you’re paying for your move, check the weight of each item and ask yourself if it’s worth the cost. Wrap glass items. Use medium-sized boxes, and don’t pack them too heavy.

8. Label and tape. To finalize your moving checklist, label each box clearly. This will make unpacking much easier. If some boxes aren’t quite full, use packing paper or newspaper to fill them in and keep items from shifting. Then tape each box securely.

That’s it! We know that packing the kitchen is just one step of a relocation, so we’ve created a printable moving checklist you can use to help you stay organized throughout the moving process. And keep in mind that if you find an apartment through us, you could get up to $200 back in Renters’ Rewards!