The Ultimate Ohio Family Guide to Packing Your Kitchen

While the kitchen serves as the heart of your Ohio home, it is often the most daunting room to pack when making a household move. Facing a sea of empty boxes while surrounded by various small appliances, endless Tupperware, and a collection of mismatched coffee mugs is enough to overwhelm anyone. However, with the right strategy, you can ensure that every spice jar and delicate plate arrives safely at your new destination.

The Pre-Packing Purge

The secret to an efficient move starts before you ever reach for the packing tape. Open every drawer and cabinet to categorize your belongings into three distinct groups: keep, donate, and discard. Letting go of that rarely-used avocado slicer or those chipped plates reduces your inventory, leading to fewer boxes and significantly lower moving costs. Families from Albany to Grove City have discovered that a thorough kitchen decluttering can save hours of labor on moving day.

Sort Before You Box

Before filling your boxes, open every cabinet and drawer. Pull everything out and sort items into three groups: keep, donate, and toss. That avocado slicer you used once? The chipped plates gathering dust behind the slow cooker? Let them go. Fewer items mean fewer boxes, a lighter load, and lower moving costs. Families across Columbus, Grove City, and Albany have found that a good kitchen purge can shave hours off packing day.

Gather the Right Supplies

Kitchen items are fragile, oddly shaped, and heavy — sometimes all at once. Stock up on small and medium boxes (large boxes packed with dishes become backbreakers), plenty of packing paper, bubble wrap for delicate items, and cell dividers for glassware. Herlihy Moving and Storage’s boxes and packing supplies page has everything you need, from dish-pack cartons to tape dispensers. Getting the right materials upfront prevents last-minute scrambles.

Pro Tip: Wrap each dish individually in packing paper and stand plates on edge—like vinyl record albums in a crate—rather than stacking them flat. This distributes pressure more evenly and reduces the chance of cracks during the drive across town.

Pack by Zone, Not by Size

Tackle one section of the kitchen at a time. Start with items you rarely use: holiday bakeware, specialty appliances, the fondue set that only appears in January. Work your way toward daily essentials like your coffee maker, a few plates, and basic utensils — those go in a clearly labeled “Last In, First Out” box so you can brew a pot the moment you arrive at your new place.

For small appliances, remove any detachable parts and wrap them separately. Tape cords to the appliance bodies so nothing tangles. Wrap glass blender jars and food processor bowls in bubble wrap before nestling them inside their base units.

Handle Knives and Fragile Items Safely

Knives deserve their own packing strategy. Bundle each blade in several layers of packing paper, then secure with tape and label the bundle clearly—nobody wants a surprise when unpacking. For stemware and wine glasses, stuff crumpled packing paper inside the glass first, then wrap the entire piece. Place glasses upright in cell dividers. Check out Herlihy’s packing tips for more techniques that protect your fragile items during transit.

Pro Tip: Use clean kitchen towels, cloth napkins, and oven mitts as bonus padding around fragile items. You’re moving them anyway—might as well put them to work.

Don’t Forget the Pantry

Spend time decluttering your pantry. Dry goods, spices, and canned items add up quickly. Seal open packages in zip-lock bags and pack them in small boxes. Discard anything expired—a move is a great excuse for a pantry reset. Transport oils, vinegars, and other liquids in a sealed plastic bin to contain potential spills. If your move is long-distance, consider donating your unopened perishable items to the local food bank.

Ready to Move Without the Kitchen Chaos? Let Herlihy Handle the Heavy Lifting

From professional packing crews to short-term storage solutions, Herlihy Moving & Storage has been helping Ohio families get settled since 1920. Request your free quote today and take the stress out of your next move.