How to Pack Your Kitchen Like a Pro: Room-by-Room Guide

The kitchen is consistently ranked as the most difficult room to pack when moving. Between fragile glassware, heavy cast iron, sharp knives, awkward appliances, and half-used pantry items, it is easy to feel overwhelmed before you even start.

The good news? With a systematic approach and the right materials, packing your kitchen does not have to be a nightmare. At iHaul iMove, our professional packing teams have packed thousands of Colorado Springs kitchens over 17+ years. This guide shares the exact techniques our pros use every day.

Gather Your Packing Supplies First

Before you touch a single plate, make sure you have everything you need on hand. Running out of materials mid-pack wastes time and leads to shortcuts that can damage your belongings.

Essential Kitchen Packing Supplies

• Dish pack boxes (dish barrels): These are taller, thicker-walled boxes designed specifically for fragile items. They are essential for dishes, glasses, and bowls.
• Medium boxes: Perfect for small appliances, pots, and pantry items.
• Packing paper: Use unprinted newsprint — actual newspaper ink can transfer to your dishes.
• Bubble wrap: Reserve this for your most fragile items like wine glasses, crystal, and delicate ceramics.
• Cell dividers: Cardboard inserts that create individual compartments for glasses and stemware.
• Packing tape and markers: Heavy-duty tape and dark markers for clear labeling.

Need supplies delivered to your door? Our packing supplies service includes everything listed above, plus specialty boxes for items like wine bottles and cutting boards.

Step 1: Declutter Before You Pack

Packing items you no longer need wastes time, materials, and space on the truck. Before packing a single box, go through your kitchen and sort items into four categories:

• Keep: Items you use regularly and want in your new kitchen.
• Donate: Working items you no longer need — shelters and thrift stores appreciate kitchen donations.
• Sell: Valuable items you will not use, such as duplicate appliances or specialty cookware.
• Discard: Expired food, chipped dishes, worn-out utensils, and broken items.

What to Toss Before Moving Day

• Expired spices, canned goods, and condiments
• Partially used cleaning supplies (many cannot be transported safely)
• Mismatched food storage containers with no lids
• Worn-out dish towels and oven mitts
• Duplicate gadgets and utensils

Step 2: Pack Dishes and Plates

Plates and bowls are surprisingly resilient when packed correctly, but vulnerable to chips and cracks when packed poorly.

The Professional Method

1. Create a cushion base. Place 3-4 inches of crumpled packing paper at the bottom of a dish pack box.
2. Wrap each plate individually. Lay a plate in the center of a sheet of packing paper, fold the corners over, and secure with tape.
3. Stack plates on edge. This is counterintuitive, but plates are strongest on their edge, not flat. Stand them vertically like records in a record store.
4. Fill gaps with paper. Crumple packing paper between plates and around edges to prevent shifting.
5. Top it off. Add 2-3 inches of crumpled paper on top before sealing.
6. Label clearly. Write “KITCHEN - PLATES - FRAGILE” and mark which side is up.

Step 3: Pack Glassware and Stemware

Glasses require the most careful attention. Here is how our professional packers handle them:

• Stuff the inside. Crumple a small piece of packing paper and push it inside each glass.
• Wrap the outside. Roll each glass in packing paper, tucking the ends in.
• Use cell dividers. These cardboard inserts create individual compartments that prevent glasses from touching each other.
• Place upside down. Glasses and wine glasses should go into the box rim-down for stability.
• Never overpack. Heavy boxes lead to crushed items and strained backs. Keep glass boxes under 30 pounds.

Pro Tip: If you are packing wine glasses or champagne flutes, consider using bubble wrap in addition to packing paper. The stems are the most vulnerable part.

Step 4: Pack Pots, Pans, and Cookware

Heavy cookware is durable but can scratch and dent if not packed properly:

• Nest pots and pans by size, placing packing paper between each piece to prevent scratching.
• Wrap lids separately and place them vertically along the sides of the box.
• Cast iron: Wrap in packing paper to prevent rust transfer to other items. These are heavy — use small boxes.
• Non-stick pans: Always place paper between non-stick surfaces to protect the coating.

Step 5: Pack Small Appliances

Small appliances like blenders, toasters, and stand mixers need thoughtful packing:

1. Clean and dry each appliance thoroughly.
2. Remove detachable parts (blades, attachments, shelves) and wrap them separately.
3. Wrap cords neatly and secure with rubber bands or twist ties.
4. Use original boxes if you saved them — they provide the best protection.
5. Wrap in packing paper or bubble wrap and place in medium boxes with plenty of cushioning.

Step 6: Handle Knives and Sharp Items Safely

Kitchen knives are dangerous when loose in a box. Here are safe packing methods:

• Use a knife block: If you have one, wrap the entire block in packing paper and secure with tape.
• Create a cardboard sleeve: Fold a piece of cardboard around each knife blade and tape it shut.
• Bundle knife sets: Wrap individually, then bundle together with rubber bands.
• Label clearly: Mark boxes containing sharp items with “CAUTION - SHARP” on all sides.

Step 7: Pack Pantry Items

For pantry items you are keeping, sort by type and pack strategically:

• Sealed cans and jars: Pack in small, sturdy boxes. These get heavy quickly.
• Opened dry goods: Transfer to zip-lock bags or sealable containers to prevent spills.
• Spices: Place in a small box, padded with paper to prevent rattling.
• Oils and liquids: Seal caps with plastic wrap and a rubber band, then place upright in a box lined with a trash bag for extra leak protection.

When to Call the Pros

If the thought of spending an entire weekend packing your kitchen sounds exhausting, you are not alone. Our packing services team can pack your entire kitchen in a fraction of the time, using professional-grade materials and techniques.

Whether you need full-service packing for your entire home or just help with the kitchen, iHaul iMove has you covered. We serve families throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, and the surrounding communities.

With 700+ 5-star reviews and 17+ years of experience, we know how to get your kitchen from Point A to Point B without a single crack, chip, or missing piece.

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