For many people it’s the kitchen. It’s full of fragile, awkward things, and it’s the room you keep using right up to moving day, so it can’t simply be packed and forgotten. The trick is to pack it in stages, leaving one small box of essentials for last.
Packing the kitchen in stages
First, the things you rarely use. If you’re packing yourself, Which? suggests doing breakables first, wrapped well and marked fragile. Start with the best glasses and china, the serving dishes and the gadgets that live at the back of the cupboard.
Wrap and fill. Wrap each fragile piece in paper, bubble wrap or towels. Plates and bowls bear weight better packed upright than flat. Put heavy things like pans and tins in smaller boxes so they stay easy to lift, and fill every gap so nothing moves.
Label as you go. Write what’s inside and which room it’s for on more than one side of the box, and mark the fragile ones clearly.
Run the cupboards down. Plan meals around what’s in the freezer and the cupboards in the last couple of weeks, so there’s less to move or throw away.
Last of all, an essentials box. Keep out a kettle, mugs, a plate and cutlery each, tea, washing-up liquid and a tea towel. Travel with this box yourself, along with anything delicate you’d rather not trust to the van. Which? suggests moving particularly delicate or valuable things in your own car.
The loft and garage come a close second
They’re out of sight, so they’re easy to leave too late. Which? suggests sorting everywhere at least two weeks before the move, including the loft, under the stairs and outbuildings, so start there early. Garages tend to hold tools, paint, fuel and garden chemicals. Paint, fuel and anything else flammable can’t go into storage, for everyone’s safety, so plan to use it up, take it with you or dispose of it safely. Our guide to packing a garage walks you through it.
Making room while you pack
Packed boxes soon fill a hallway. You can move boxes and spare furniture into a storage unit as you go, which keeps the kitchen and hallway clear for everyday life and makes moving day lighter. Our minimum stay is two weeks, so a unit can cover just the busy weeks around the move. Just remember that food can’t go into storage. We’ve written more on packing a unit for a house move.
Our Box Shop delivers boxes, tape and packing paper to your door, and you can also buy packaging in store at our Burton, Bath, Chipping Norton and Dorking sites.
To plan your move, call us on 0800 2545585, or get a price online.
Related questions
- How do I pack boxes so they stack safely in a storage unit?
- How should I label boxes for storage?
- How many boxes will I need?
- How long before moving house should I start packing?
- What is the most forgotten thing when moving house?
Further reading