Moving is hard work. It’s time-consuming and physically exhausting, and a chore that many of us put off until the last minute. For many people, packing up the kitchen is especially tedious due to the amount of items and the fact that kitchens are high-traffic areas. Here are some tips that will help reduce the burden of packing your kitchen.
Pack Away All of the Non-Essentials
Get started early by packing all of the non-essential kitchen items and gadgets that you won’t use between now and the move. Think about things like casserole dishes, cookie cutters and fancy silverware. Anything that doesn’t get day-to-day use should go. Along with helping reduce clutter, this will also help you see the progress that’s being made in the kitchen.
Box Up the Small Appliances
Try to save the boxes for small appliances like kettles, coffee makers, toasters and rice cookers. Make sure that you wrap them carefully with newspaper and bubble wrap before packing them away. If you didn’t save the original boxes, create and label one or two large boxes specifically for small appliances so that you can keep track of them when it’s time to unpack.
Stop Buying Food
One of the most annoying parts of packing the kitchen is trying to figure out what to do with the food. You can prevent this by cooking up all of the food in your pantry and refrigerator in the days leading up to the move. Instead of going to the grocery store, take a look at everything you have and see what you can whip up.
Keep Your Boxes Organized
Create a system that keeps all of your items organized and make sure to always label your boxes. The last thing you want is to search for items as you move into your new house. Create a special box for cups and coffee mugs, another for plates and bowls, and then pots and pans. Having an organized system will make packing and unpacking feel easier and less overwhelming.
Try the Nesting Method
Nesting is when you pack smaller items inside larger ones. If you’re short on space, this is a perfect way to pack efficiently. Large pots, baking dishes and Tupperware containers are perfect for storing small items like cutlery.
Get Rid of Unused Items
Moving is also a great time to declutter your house. When you come across things that you don’t use anymore, like an old plastic container or an unwanted refrigerator magnet, toss it out or donate it.
Don’t Procrastinate
The sooner you get started with your packing, the quicker you’ll be done. Don’t wait until the last minute to organize and box up everything you own. If you’re looking for a place to move to in the upcoming months, feel free to contact me to learn more.