What you need
- Double-wall or sturdy small boxes
- Plain packing paper, and plenty of it
- Cell dividers for glasses and stemware
- Bubble wrap for fine china and crystal
- Packing tape, a marker, dish towels
Use plain paper, not newspaper. Newsprint ink smudges onto your plates and glasses.
Pack the kitchen in the right order
Start a week or two ahead with rarely used pieces: holiday platters, serving bowls, spare glasses, the slow cooker. Next, pack everyday dishes, but keep out one plate, one bowl, one mug and one glass per person. Finally, pack that small set into one box marked OPEN FIRST.
How to pack plates
- Tape the bottom across the seam.
- Line it with crumpled paper.
- Wrap each plate, then stack three or four and wrap the bundle.
- Stand each bundle on its edge. Never lay plates flat.
- Fill gaps with paper so nothing slides.
- Add a top layer, close the box and shake it. If nothing moves, it is ready.
Bowls, mugs and cups
Wrap each bowl singly, then nest two or three with paper between. Stand groups on edge, or set them rim down. Give mugs extra paper, and pack them on their side or rim down.
Glasses and stemware
Give glassware its own box with dividers. Stuff paper inside each glass, then roll it in more paper. Wrap stems first, then stand glasses upright. Keep boxes light and stack them on heavier boxes, never under.
Pots, small appliances and the pantry
Nest pots and pans with paper between, then fill a medium box. Wrap small appliances in a towel and fill the gaps. Tape lids and cords in place.
Use up the pantry before the move. Bag oils and sauces. Tape open dry goods shut. Give away perishables for long-distance moves.
Label every kitchen box the same way
Label each box KITCHEN, FRAGILE, and “This Side Up.” Number them and keep a short list so the crew knows where each one goes.
Moving across the river or into a high-rise
On a move between New York City and New Jersey, dishes ride freight elevators, loading docks and long hallways. Strong, full boxes hold up; weak, half-empty ones crush. If the boxes go into storage, pack them full so the tops stay flat.
Unpacking at the new kitchen
Open the OPEN FIRST box, then the dishes. Wipe and line the shelves before anything goes in. Unwrap each piece over its box, checking every sheet. Keep a few flattened dish-pack boxes in case something goes back into storage.
Or let us pack the kitchen
Packing dishes and glassware is slow work. Book partial kitchen packing and we supply materials, pack, and unpack at your new home. See packing services.
How many dish-pack boxes do I need?
It depends on your cabinets. At the estimate we look at the kitchen and tell you what to order, or we bring the materials if we pack.
Can I use towels and clothes instead of paper?
For sturdy pieces, yes. Towels and T-shirts pad pots and bowls and save space. Keep paper for fine china and glass.
Do you unpack the kitchen too?
Yes, if you book it. Unpacking is part of our packing service, for the whole home or only the kitchen.
