Ask anyone what went wrong on their last move and a surprising number will describe a specific broken plate. The kitchen is dense, fragile, and full of awkward shapes, and it's usually packed last by someone who is out of energy.
Pack it first instead, minus a few days of dishes.
Plates go on edge, not stacked flat
This is the single biggest change most people can make. Plates stacked flat crack under vertical pressure. Plates stood on edge, like records in a crate, distribute force through their strongest axis.
Wrap each one in packing paper, band them in groups of three or four, then stand the groups up with paper wadded between them.
Glassware and stemware
- Wrap each glass individually — nested unwrapped glasses chip and stick
- Stuff paper inside the bowl of stemware before wrapping the outside
- Glasses go upright, never on their side
- Fill every gap. Movement is what breaks things, not weight.
Weight distribution
Heavy on the bottom, light on top, within every container and across the stack. Cast iron and small appliances make a good base layer; mugs and plasticware ride on top.
Keep any single kitchen container under about 40 lbs. Our totes are rated to 65, but your back isn't.
Knives, oils, and the pantry
- Sheathe knives in a folded towel and tape the roll shut, then label it clearly
- Bag anything liquid — oils, vinegars, syrups — separately from textiles
- Toss open, half-used pantry items rather than moving them
- Keep spices together; they're the thing you'll want first in the new kitchen
Label for the unload, not the pack
"Kitchen — daily dishes" is a useful label. "Kitchen 4 of 9" is not. You want to know which container to open first when you get there at 9 p.m. and want coffee in the morning.
Latched lids, stackable, rated to 65 lbs
Add a packing paper bundle to your rental and pack the kitchen properly.
