How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving: Step-by-Step Guide From Shellharbour Removalists (2026)

By the Shellharbour Removals team | Updated 4 November 2026 | 11 min read

how do you pack a kitchen for moving?

Start 3 to 14 days ahead, depending on kitchen size. Declutter first, pack rarely used items before daily ones, and keep essentials for last. Use small boxes for heavy items, stand plates on their edges, wrap every glass in butcher’s paper, seal all liquids, label boxes on the side, and keep a first-night box with you. If time is short, book professional packers.

Key takeaways

• A typical kitchen needs about 15 to 30 boxes and 4 to 8 hours of focused packing.
• Heavy items go in small boxes. Keep dense boxes (tins, jars, cast iron) to around 15 kg.
• Plates stand on their edges like records, never flat.
• Seal every liquid and use up fridge, freezer and open pantry food before the move.
• Label on the side of the box, and keep one first-night box in your own car.

How long does it take, and how many boxes do you need?

Short answer: allow 4 to 8 hours of focused packing and 15 to 30 boxes for an average family kitchen. Published removalist estimates vary widely, from about 3 hours up to 25 hours once you include sourcing boxes and wrapping every piece, so plan for more time if you have a lot of glassware or crockery.

Kitchen size	When to start	Typical boxes	Extra notes
Studio or small unit kitchen	3 to 4 days out	12 to 18	Mostly small and medium boxes
Average family kitchen	7 days out	15 to 30	Add 2 to 5 dish-pack or cell-divider boxes
Large or entertainer’s kitchen	14 days out	30 to 45	Plan extra time for crystal, serving ware and cast iron

These are ranges based on published removalist guidance. Add a few boxes if you own a lot of cast iron or wine glasses.

What is the best kitchen packing timeline?

The kitchen stays in use until the last day, so work backwards from moving day and pack the least-used items first. The plan below suits an average kitchen. For a large kitchen, start the same plan 14 days out. For a compact kitchen, squeeze it into 3 to 4 days.

The 7-day kitchen packing plan

Day 7: declutter and sort

Empty every cupboard and drawer. Sort everything into keep, donate and bin. Bin anything expired or chipped, and donate duplicates and unused gadgets to a local charity.

Days 6 and 5: pack the rarely used items

Pack cake stands, platters, entertaining glassware, seasonal gadgets and the good china. Group items by cupboard so unpacking is quicker.

Days 4 and 3: pantry, pots and bakeware

Pack sealed pantry goods, spices, pots, pans, baking trays and chopping boards. Use up open food through your meals.

Days 2 and 1: glassware, appliances and the fridge

Pack everyday glasses and crockery, then wipe and dry the small appliances. Switch off, empty and dry the fridge 24 hours before the move.

Moving morning

Pack the kettle, last mugs, cleaning products and the first-night box. Check every cupboard and drawer one last time.

What packing supplies do you need for a kitchen?

Supply	What it is for	Tip
Small (book-size) boxes	Heavy items: tins, jars, cast iron, plates	Heavy goes small, light goes big
Medium boxes	Pots, pantry goods, plastics	Double-tape the bottom seam
Dish-pack boxes or cell dividers	Glasses, stemware, fine china	Worth paying for
Butcher’s paper (unprinted)	Wrapping, base padding and filling gaps	Available at hardware and office stores
Bubble wrap	Crystal, glass lids, fine china	Use sparingly, with paper underneath
Strong packing tape and a tape gun	Sealing boxes	Not masking tape
Zip-lock bags, cling wrap, rubber bands	Small parts, lids, spills, knife blocks	Cling wrap also keeps nested bowls together
Permanent markers	Labels	Wide tip, so it reads from a distance
Clear plastic tub	First-night kitchen box	Keep it with you

Need boxes and paper handled for you? Ask our team about packing help.

How do you pack a kitchen step by step?

Step 1: Declutter before you pack anything

For each item, ask whether it is worth paying to move and unpack. If not, donate or bin it. Every item you remove saves packing time, truck space and unpacking time.

Step 2: Pack the pantry and liquids

Pack sealed dry goods in medium boxes and keep tins and jars in small boxes. Dense food boxes should stay around 15 kg so the base does not split.

How do you stop oils and sauces leaking?

Unscrew the cap, put cling wrap over the opening, then screw the cap back on. Put each bottle in a zip-lock bag and stand it upright in a plastic tub or a box marked “liquids”. Move opened flour, sugar and spices into sealed bags or jars.

What food should you use up, pack or bin?

Pack	Use up before moving	Bin or give away
Sealed tins and jars	Frozen food	Anything past its expiry date
Sealed dry goods (pasta, rice, cereal)	Fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat	Large half-used bottles of oil
Sealed spices in small jars	Open sauces and condiments	Open bags of flour or sugar you will not finish
Sealed honey and spreads	Chilled leftovers	Leaking or damaged packaging

Most removalists cannot keep food cold in the truck, so eat down the fridge and freezer in the two weeks before the move. For short local moves, carry what is left in an esky in your own car.

Step 3: Pack pots, pans and bakeware

Nest pots and pans with a sheet of paper or a tea towel between each one to protect non-stick coatings. Stand baking trays and chopping boards on their edge down the side of a box. Pack heavy cast iron in a small box, one piece at a time. Wrap glass lids separately and stand them upright with padding either side.

Step 4: Pack plates and bowls

Plates go in vertically, on their edges, like records. Flat stacks put the full weight on the centre of the bottom plate, and that is where plates crack.

1. Crumple 5 to 8 sheets of paper into a thick base layer.
2. Wrap each plate individually.
3. Stand them on their edges, packed snugly with no sideways movement.
4. Nest bowls with paper between each one, then wrap the stack.
5. Fill every gap with crumpled paper until nothing shifts when you shake the box gently.

Step 5: Pack glasses and stemware

Put crumpled paper inside each glass, then wrap the outside in two or three sheets, with extra padding on stems and bases. Stand glasses upright in cell dividers or on a padded layer, never on their sides, and put the lightest items on top. Label the box FRAGILE: GLASSES: THIS SIDE UP.

Should you use newspaper to wrap dishes?

No, not directly. Newsprint ink can transfer onto glazed ceramics and glass and is hard to clean. Use unprinted butcher’s paper for wrapping, and keep newspaper for filling gaps where it does not touch the dishes.

Step 6: Pack knives and sharp tools

Keep knives in their block and secure it with rubber bands so the blades cannot slide out. Wrap loose knives blade-first in paper, add a layer of cardboard or bubble wrap, tape the bundle shut and write “SHARP” on the outside. Pack them in a clearly marked box so no one reaches in blind.

Step 7: Pack small appliances

Use the original box if you still have it. If not, wrap the appliance in bubble wrap or a towel, place it in a medium box with padding on every side, and bundle the cord with a tie.

• Coffee machines and kettles: empty and dry the water tank completely.
• Thermomix, air fryers and blenders: remove jugs, blades and trays and pack them in a labelled bag inside the same box.
• Microwaves: take out the glass turntable and wrap it separately.

Step 8: Prepare the fridge, dishwasher and oven

Fridge and freezer

Switch off at the wall 24 hours before the move, empty it, dry the inside and tape the doors shut. For timing, tilt limits and how long to wait before plugging in, read our full guide on how to move a fridge safely. The CHOICE fridge moving guide is a useful independent reference.

Dishwasher

Run an empty cycle the day before, then disconnect the hoses and drain them into a bucket. Remove the baskets and loose parts and pack them separately. Leave the door slightly open until loading.

Gas or electric oven and cooktop

If the oven is moving to a new kitchen, gas appliances need a licensed gasfitter to disconnect and reconnect, and hardwired ovens need a licensed electrician. Clean the oven, then pack the racks and trays separately in paper.

Step 9: Label every box

Write the room, the contents and any warning on the side of the box, not the top, because top labels are hidden once boxes are stacked. Use a format like KITCHEN: glasses: fragile and add an arrow showing which way is up. Label two sides if you can.

Step 10: Pack a first-night kitchen box

Pack a clear tub with a kettle, two mugs, plates, basic cutlery, a sharp knife, a small board, dish soap, a sponge, a tea towel, tea and coffee, and snacks. Mark it OPEN FIRST and carry it in your own car, not on the truck.

What are the most common kitchen packing mistakes?

Mistake	Fix
Heavy items in big boxes	Heavy goes in small boxes, always
Stacking plates flat	Stand them on their edges, wrapped individually
Leaving gaps in a box	Fill every space until nothing moves
Labelling only the top	Label the sides
Leaving the fridge until moving morning	Switch off and dry it 24 hours ahead
Packing the kettle and mugs too early	Keep a first-night box
Packing everything in one day	Spread it across at least 3 to 7 days

Safe Work Australia notes that manual handling is a common cause of strains and back injuries, which is another reason to keep box weights down.

What can’t you move from the kitchen?

Most removalists will not carry flammable liquids, aerosols, gas bottles, lighter fluid or strong chemicals, and they cannot keep fridge or freezer food cold. Cleaning products should travel separately from food. Check the full list with us before moving day.

How do you pack a kitchen for an interstate move or storage?

Interstate moves and food rules

Some states restrict fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and plants to protect their agriculture. The rules differ by state and change over time, so check the interstate quarantine website before you pack pantry items. Longer trips also raise the risk of breakage, so pack fragile items more tightly. See our interstate removalists and long-distance moving services.

Kitchen items going into storage

Do not store food. Clean and fully dry every item, and leave the fridge and freezer doors slightly open to prevent mould and odours. Wrap items in paper rather than plastic, which can trap moisture.

In what order should you unpack the kitchen?

1. Wipe down the new cupboards and shelves.
2. Open the first-night box and set up the kettle and mugs.
3. Unpack pantry boxes, then everyday plates, glasses and cutlery.
4. Unpack pots, pans and small appliances you use weekly.
5. Leave specialty gear and entertaining sets until last.
6. Run the dishwasher empty once before first use.

DIY or professional kitchen packing: what does it cost?

What does DIY kitchen packing cost?

Boxes, paper and tape for a full kitchen are often quoted in the range of about $80 to $150, and cheaper if you source boxes from shops. The bigger cost is time. Allow a full day or two days of evenings, and more if you wrap every piece.

When are professional packers worth it?

• You have fine china, crystal or sentimental pieces.
• You are short on time before the move.
• You are moving interstate or into storage.
• You have stairs, a townhouse or a unit with a long carry.
• You want the packing and the move handled by one team.

Who is responsible if a self-packed box breaks?

Policies differ, and removalist cover may treat boxes you packed yourself differently from boxes the removalist packed. Ask your removalist and your contents insurer before moving day.

Packing services and removalists in Shellharbour for your kitchen

What our team can do

Our house removalists can pack, load, transport and unload your kitchen as part of a full move. Our furniture removalists protect fragile and bulky items with blankets, trolleys and straps. For a move across the suburb or the region, our local removalists can take everything door to door.

Want more planning help? See our moving house checklist for Wollongong and the Illawarra, our guide to choosing the best removalist in Wollongong and our furniture protection tips. You can also learn more about us.

Where we work

We move homes in Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Albion Park, Oak Flats, Warilla, Kiama and Wollongong. Call 0449 994 831 to ask about packing help or short-notice moves.

Frequently asked questions about packing a kitchen

How do you pack a kitchen for moving?

Declutter first, then pack rarely used items before daily ones. Use small boxes for heavy items, stand plates on their edges, wrap glasses in butcher’s paper, seal all liquids and label the sides of every box.

How long before moving should you pack your kitchen?

Start 7 days out for an average kitchen, 3 to 4 days for a small one and up to 14 days for a large one. Leave daily essentials until the last 24 hours.

How many boxes do you need to pack a kitchen?

Most kitchens need about 15 to 30 boxes. Small kitchens can need as few as 12, and large or entertainer’s kitchens up to 45.

Should you pack plates flat or standing up?

Standing up, on their edges, each wrapped individually. This sends transit shock through the strongest part of the plate instead of the centre.

Can you use newspaper to wrap dishes?

Not directly. Ink can transfer to ceramics and glass, so use unprinted butcher’s paper and keep newspaper for filling gaps.

What should you do with food before moving?

Use up fresh, frozen and open food in the two weeks before the move. Pack only sealed dry goods, and check interstate food rules if you are crossing a state border.

How heavy should kitchen boxes be?

Keep dense boxes such as tins, jars and cast iron to around 15 kg, and aim for any kitchen box to be liftable by one person. If a box is too heavy to lift easily, repack it into two.

Do removalists in Shellharbour pack kitchens?

Shellharbour Removals can help with packing as part of a house move. Call 0449 994 831 or request a quote to discuss what you need.

What goes in a first-night kitchen box?

A kettle, mugs, plates, basic cutlery, a knife, dish soap, a sponge, a tea towel, tea and coffee, and snacks. Keep it in your own car.

Need help packing your kitchen in Shellharbour?

Shellharbour Removals has 11 years of experience moving homes, offices and furniture across the Illawarra. Call 0449 994 831 or request a free quote.