The kitchen is the hardest room in the house to pack. More fragile items, more awkward shapes, more categories of stuff — appliances, glassware, ceramics, dry goods, cleaning products — than any other room. Done poorly, it’s also the biggest source of damage on a move. This guide gives you a 7-day plan, a materials list, and the step-by-step technique to pack your kitchen right.
Why Kitchens Are the Hardest Room
Three things make kitchens unusually difficult:
- Volume: A typical kitchen has more individual items than any other room in the house — sometimes hundreds of individual pieces when you include cutlery, crockery, pantry items, and small appliances.
- Fragility: Glass, ceramic, and porcelain are unforgiving of poor packing. A cracked plate or a shattered wine glass is recoverable. A set of family heirloom china is not.
- Timing: Unlike your bookshelf (which can be packed 3 weeks out), the kitchen stays in use until the day before the move. This means the window for packing is compressed.
The 7-day plan below accounts for all three of these constraints — working backwards from moving day so you’re not trying to pack everything in the final 24 hours.
The 7-Day Kitchen Packing Plan
Day 7 — Declutter
Open every cupboard, every drawer, every shelf. Be ruthless. For each item, ask: “Would I buy this again?” Not “Do I want to keep it?” — but “Would I pay to move it and unpack it at the other end?”
- Bin anything expired, cracked, chipped, or rarely used
- Donate to Vinnies, Lifeline, or Salvos: duplicate items, unused appliances, excess crockery
- Use up pantry perishables — plan meals around what’s open
- Set aside a “daily use” box: the things you’ll need right up until packing day (kettle, 2 mugs, 1 saucepan, basic cutlery, a plate or two)
Day 6 — Categorise
Group everything into categories before touching a box:
- Everyday crockery (plates, bowls, mugs)
- Glassware (wine glasses, tumblers, tall glasses)
- Pots, pans, and baking trays
- Small appliances (toaster, blender, food processor)
- Large appliances (coffee machine, KitchenAid, air fryer)
- Pantry dry goods (sealed cans, jars, dry pasta, rice)
- Spices and condiments
- Utensils and cutlery
- Cleaning products (pack last, transport separately from food)
Day 5 — Pack Dry Goods & Non-Fragile Items
Canned and jarred goods are heavy — use small boxes only. No box with food should weigh more than 15kg. Sealed dry pantry items (pasta, rice, cereal) pack fine in medium boxes. Discard anything open that you won’t finish before moving day — liquids in particular are risk items.
Day 4 — Pack Pots, Pans & Baking Items
These are bulky and relatively robust, but they need padding to prevent scratching non-stick surfaces. Nest pots inside each other with a folded tea towel or a sheet of packing paper between each one. Baking trays and chopping boards pack well vertically, standing on edge in a box (like books in a box).
Day 3 — Pack Appliances
Original boxes are best — if you have them, use them. If not, wrap each appliance in moving blanket or bubble wrap and place in a box with paper padding around it. Remove and pack accessories and attachments separately. Wipe any residue from inside the toaster, blender jug, etc. before packing.
Day 2 — Pack Glassware & Ceramics
See the detailed technique below — this is the section that matters most for preventing breakage. Glassware takes longer than most people expect. Allow 45–90 minutes for a full set of glasses and crockery.
Day 1 (Moving Eve) — Pack Remaining Items & Appliance Prep
Pack your “daily use” box, clean out the fridge (defrost if moving with it), pack cleaning products, and label everything. See appliance prep section below.
Materials Checklist
The right materials make a significant difference to both protection and packing speed. Don’t substitute — using old newspapers for fine glassware is a false economy.
- Small boxes (20–25L): for heavy items — canned goods, books, small appliances. One of the most common packing mistakes is using large boxes for heavy kitchen items.
- Medium boxes (40–50L): for most crockery, pots, dry goods
- Large boxes (60–80L): for lightweight bulky items — pot lids, large baking trays, plastic containers
- Packing paper (acid-free): essential for wrapping ceramics and glassware. Don’t use newspaper — the ink transfers onto ceramics and is hard to clean.
- Bubble wrap: for fine glassware, crystal, and anything fragile-to-a-fault
- Packing tape: strong tape, not masking tape
- Foam cell dividers: optional but excellent for wine glasses and crystal — divide the box into individual cells so glasses can’t touch each other
- Markers: permanent, wide-tip. Label everything on two sides of the box.
Relocation Rangers offers packing materials bundles that include the right mix of box sizes, tape, and paper for your home size:
- Small bundle — $258: suited to studios and 1-bedroom flats
- Medium bundle — $436: suited to 2-bedroom apartments
- Large bundle — $656: suited to 3-bedroom houses
- XL bundle — $994: suited to 4+ bedroom homes
See our materials bundles and packing services page for full contents of each bundle.
Glassware & Ceramics Technique
This is where most amateur packers go wrong. Glass and ceramic are not fragile in the same way — glass is shock-sensitive, ceramic is compression-sensitive. Treat them differently.
For Glassware (Wine Glasses, Tumblers, Mugs)
- Wrap each glass individually in 2–3 sheets of packing paper, starting from the base. Twist the paper into the bowl of the glass, then wrap the stem and base.
- Pack glasses upright in the box — not upside-down, not on their side. Upright is the strongest orientation.
- Use foam cell dividers or crumple packing paper between glasses so they can’t touch each other
- Fill any air space at the top of the box with scrunched paper — the goal is zero movement inside the box when you shake it
- Label the box: “FRAGILE — GLASSES — THIS SIDE UP” on two sides and the top
- Don’t stack other boxes on top of glass boxes
For Ceramics (Plates, Bowls, Serving Dishes)
- Wrap each plate or bowl individually in packing paper
- Pack plates vertically (on their edge, like vinyl records) — this is the strongest orientation for transit. Flat-stacked plates concentrate weight and crack under compression.
- Alternate the orientation of bowls when nesting: one face-up, one face-down, with paper between
- Pad the bottom and top of the box with crumpled paper — at least 5cm of padding on all sides
- Label: “FRAGILE — CROCKERY — THIS SIDE UP”
Appliance Prep
Fridge & Freezer
- Defrost at least 24 hours before moving day — ideally 48 hours for large freezers
- Remove all food, clean the interior, and dry thoroughly — any moisture will produce mould in a sealed truck
- Leave the fridge doors slightly ajar overnight to air out
- Secure glass shelves and crisper drawers with packing tape so they don’t slide around in transit
- A fully defrosted, dry fridge can travel on its side if necessary (check your manufacturer’s manual — most modern fridges are fine, but some have restrictions)
Oven & Rangehood
- Clean the oven before moving — nobody wants to unpack a greasy appliance
- Remove and pack oven racks separately in packing paper
- Rangehood filters can be cleaned or replaced — if they’re beyond cleaning, replace them before packing
Dishwasher
- Run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaning tablet the day before the move
- Disconnect and drain the hose — your removalist can help with this if needed
- Leave the door slightly open during transit
Foods to Use Up vs Pack
| Pack safely | Use up before moving | Bin or donate |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed cans and jars | Open condiments and sauces | Anything past expiry |
| Dry pantry goods (pasta, rice, cereal in sealed bags) | Frozen food | Opened spices (or pack if small) |
| Sealed spices in small jars | Fresh fruit and vegetables | Cooking oils in large bottles (heavy, leaky risk) |
| Honey, peanut butter, sealed condiments | Dairy, meat, fresh food | Cleaning products with full bottles (consider replacing at new home) |
Liquids are the biggest risk item. A bottle of olive oil that opens in the truck can ruin a box of books. Tape the lids of any liquids you’re taking, place them in a ziplock bag, and pack them upright in a box marked “liquids.”
Labelling — The Step That Saves Unpacking Time
Every kitchen box should have two pieces of information on two sides of the box:
- The destination room (e.g. “Kitchen”)
- The contents category (e.g. “Glassware”, “Pantry”, “Pots and Pans”)
Add “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” in large letters on fragile boxes. Add “OPEN FIRST” to the box with your daily-use items — kettle, mugs, coffee, one set of cutlery, one plate per person. This is the first box you want to find when you arrive at the new house.
When to Upgrade to Expert Kitchen Prep ($599)
If you’ve read this far and you’re thinking “I don’t have time for this” — that’s exactly when our Expert Kitchen Prep service makes sense.
For $599 fixed, our team professionally packs your entire kitchen — every drawer, every cupboard, every appliance — using our materials and our technique. It typically takes 2–3 hours and is completed the day before or on the morning of your move.
It’s worth considering if:
- You have a large kitchen with fine crockery, crystal, or sentimental pieces
- You’re time-poor in the lead-up to the move
- You’ve never moved before and don’t want to risk your glassware on trial and error
- You’re doing an interstate move where transit time increases risk
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to pack a kitchen?
A typical family kitchen takes 3–5 hours to pack properly if you spread it over the 7-day plan. Trying to do it all in one go the day before the move typically takes 5–7 hours and produces worse results. The 7-day plan distributes the work and keeps it manageable.
Should I pack plates flat or standing up?
Standing up — vertically on their edge, like vinyl records. Flat-stacked plates are far more likely to crack under the compression and vibration of transit. Pack each plate individually in packing paper, then stand them vertically in a medium box with paper padding on all sides.
Can I move a fridge with food in it?
No. A fridge needs to be defrosted, emptied, and dried before moving. Any moisture or food residue inside will cause problems during transit — mould, odour, and potentially damage to the interior. Defrost at least 24 hours before moving day.
What’s the best way to pack wine glasses?
Wrap each glass individually in 2–3 sheets of packing paper, starting at the base. Pack upright in a box with foam cell dividers (or crumpled paper between glasses). Don’t pack glasses on their side — upright is the strongest orientation. Label the box “FRAGILE — GLASSES — THIS SIDE UP.”
Should I use newspaper to wrap dishes?
No. Newspaper ink transfers onto ceramics and glassware and is difficult to clean. Use acid-free packing paper. It’s inexpensive and purpose-made for the job. If you’re using a Relocation Rangers materials bundle, packing paper is included.