40% of Americans are considering a move in 2022. Are you getting ready for your next big move?
It’s no secret that moving can be quite difficult. From finding your new destination to packing everything up and getting it all in a moving truck, you have a lot of work on your plate.
Many people dread packing up their kitchens. There are so many items that you’ll have to get rid of, cleaning is a hassle, and many objects are oddly-shaped and breakable.
We’re here with a few moving hacks that can make it easier. Read on for some quick packing hacks for your kitchen.
1. Declutter First
This is necessary regardless of what room you’re packing. You’re always going to want to declutter and get rid of things before you start the seemingly giant task of moving things from point A to point B.
In some ways, the kitchen is the easiest room to declutter. There are plenty of perishable food items that you won’t be taking with you (unless you’re only moving a short distance, and even then, it usually isn’t worth it). You likely also have plenty of old containers, utensils, and even pots and pans that you no longer use.
Take a day to go through your kitchen and decide what’s actually coming with you. If this is a long-distance move, if you’re moving in with another person who likely has their own things, or if you’re downsizing, you’re going to have to be even more strategic.
Start with food. Use up as much of your usable food as possible and refrain from buying anything new and unnecessary before the move. When it comes to non-perishable items, we recommend donating as much as possible. Food is heavy and you may end up saving money and time by buying new food after the move.
Take inventory of all of your cooking supplies and try to get rid of things that are in poor condition, that you no longer use, or that you already have replacements for. Again, many of these items are heavy and take up a lot of space. It may end up being more cost-effective to buy new ones later.
2. Stack Things When Possible
When it comes to actually packing your items, one of our favorite easy-moving hacks is to treat every item like a nesting doll, if it’s possible to do so. Fit smaller items into larger items.
This is especially helpful when it comes to your kitchen storage containers and pots. You likely have plenty of large containers that can hold smaller ones.
Get creative. Many large storage containers will be able to hold several small ones, so don’t just think about the ones that nest neatly together.
This is also a good time to learn how to play moving box Tetris. Instead of stacking items right on top of each other with no rhyme or reason, plan out how you’re going to stack them so you can get the most out of each box. Remember, the more space you take up, the more it will cost to move your items (or the more trips you’ll have to take).
3. Protect Your Breakable Items With Household Objects
Are you dreading the idea of buying bubble wrap or wasting crumpled paper when you pack up your glassware and other breakable objects? You can use household objects to save money, save the environment, and make your life easier. It’s one of the best packing hacks for moving.
Start with things that already have to come with you. We recommend using fabric that’s already in your kitchen, so everything stays together.
Put layers of dishtowels and kitchen curtains between your breakable objects to pad them. This is going to be just as effective and more environmentally friendly than buying paper or bubble wrap.
You may be able to use certain non-perishable products, such as beans and rice, to pad some of your breakable items. The soft bags will provide a cushion.
Towels and sheets are also good for this purpose.
If you don’t think you have enough fabric to pad your breakable kitchen items, we recommend starting early and collecting paper products that you’d normally throw away (such as newspapers, magazines, and even junk mail).
You can crumple the paper to pad the boxes and you won’t be wasting anything.
4. Pack Early By Identifying Essentials
Too many people think that they have to wait until the last minute to pack up their kitchens because they use the kitchen every day. Pack early by identifying the things that you actually need.
Consider your small appliances. If you rarely use your Instant Pot or food dehydrator, pack them away now (and use #2 in our list of packing hacks to store other objects inside them).
Opt for meals that are easy to prepare with as few supplies as possible. One-pot meals will be your friend in the days leading up to your big move.
5. Pack Small Boxes Into Larger Boxes
This is similar to the nesting hack, but it’s one of the packing hacks for moving boxes that people don’t often think about.
Too many people try to fit as much as they can into a few large boxes. While this may seem like the most cost-effective option, you’re going to end up with a lot of loose items scattered about (which is bad when it comes to sharp utensils and breakable items).
You can still save money and space by using small boxes as long as you pack them into larger boxes. For example, pack all of your utensils into a shoebox before putting the box into a bigger box.
Set one large box aside exclusively for smaller boxes.
Try These Moving Hacks for Packing Your Kitchen
Moving is stressful, but these moving hacks for packing will make it easier. Start early, use the nesting doll technique, take advantage of household items for padding breakables, and always start by decluttering.
Your moving process will be smoother as a result.