The kitchen is the hardest room to pack. It has the most items, the most breakables and the most awkward shapes — and you need it right up until moving day.
Here's how to pack it properly, step by step.
Kitchen packing in short: Use small, strong boxes · Wrap every breakable · Stand plates on their edges · Fill every gap · Keep a first-night kitchen box with you.
What you'll need
- Small and medium boxes — kitchen items get heavy fast
- Dish pack or divider boxes for glasses
- Packing paper (lots of it)
- Bubble wrap for special pieces
- Strong tape and a marker
- Zip-lock bags for small parts
Step 1: Declutter
Use up pantry food, and get rid of chipped mugs, duplicate utensils and gadgets you never use. See How to Save Money on Your Darwin Move.
Step 2: Pack the rarely used items first
About two weeks out: - Serving platters and special-occasion dishes - Baking tins and specialty appliances - Spare glassware and vases - Cookbooks
Step 3: Plates
- Line the bottom of a small box with crumpled paper
- Wrap each plate in paper
- Stand plates on their edges — never flat
- Fill gaps with paper so nothing moves
- Add a layer of paper on top before sealing
Step 4: Glasses and mugs
- Stuff the inside of each glass with paper
- Wrap each one individually
- Pack upright in a divider box
- Mark "FRAGILE — THIS WAY UP"
Step 5: Knives and sharp utensils
- Wrap knives in paper, then cardboard, and tape securely
- Label them "SHARP"
- Keep a knife block together if you have one
Step 6: Pots and pans
- Nest smaller pots inside larger ones with paper between
- Wrap lids separately
- Pans are heavy — use medium boxes and don't overfill
Step 7: Small appliances
- Pack in their original boxes if you have them
- Otherwise wrap well and fill gaps
- Tape cords to the appliance
- Make sure everything is clean and dry — in Darwin's humidity, a damp kettle or coffee machine can go mouldy
Step 8: The fridge and freezer
- Run down food in the last two weeks
- Empty, defrost and dry at least 24 hours before
- Leave the doors open so it doesn't smell
See How to Move a TV, Fridge and Washing Machine.
Step 9: The pantry
- Removalists generally won't take perishables — see What Removalists Won't Move
- Seal open packets and put them in plastic tubs
- Tape bottle lids and bag liquids
Step 10: Your first-night kitchen box
Keep this with you: - Kettle, a few mugs, plates, bowls and cutlery - A pan, a knife and a chopping board - Tea, coffee, snacks - Dish soap, a sponge, tea towels and bin bags
Short on time?
The kitchen is the room most people hand over. A part-pack of just the kitchen saves hours. See Professional Packing vs DIY.
Get a free quote · or see our packing services.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pack plates for moving?
Wrap each plate in packing paper and stand them on their edges in a small, strong box lined with crumpled paper, like records in a crate. Fill all gaps so nothing moves.
How do you pack glasses for moving?
Wrap each glass individually, stuff the inside with paper, and use a box with cardboard dividers. Pack glasses upright and mark the box fragile.
When should I start packing the kitchen?
About two weeks before the move, start with items you rarely use. Pack everyday items in the last two or three days, and keep an essentials box until the end.
How many boxes do I need for a kitchen?
A typical kitchen needs around 10–20 boxes, depending on its size, plus a few dish pack or divider boxes for glassware.