Moving your kitchen – the heart of your home
Make moving your kitchen easier with our expert tips. Declutter, pack, and settle into your new home with calm and confidence.
Your kitchen is the heart of your home and family
Moving house is one of the top five stressful things in a person’s life, and moving your kitchen is often the most overwhelming room to deal with. There’s so much stuff in a kitchen, and it’s all different kinds of things. From random gadgets to spice jars that multiply overnight, it’s hard to know where to start.
You’re already managing the logistics of moving day, the paperwork, the timelines … and now you’re staring at your kitchen drawers and wondering how you ever accumulated six very different can openers. Does anyone actually use any of them? And why does each family member have a favourite and won’t let you throw “theirs” out?
There can also be a lot of emotions entangled with your kitchen stuff. Like gifts from loved ones, items passed down through family, or that one drawer where everything ends up. It’s no wonder people freeze before they even begin. If the thought of moving your kitchen feels like a weight hit you, you’re not alone.
Move your kitchen smoothly with the steps below – or give Reclaim Your Space a call. Our team of experts can work with you every step of the way for an easy, smooth move.
Here’s how to begin:
1. Start with a kitchen declutter session
Now is a really good time to declutter. Before you even grab a box, take the opportunity to go through your kitchen and get rid of what you don’t use. That blender you haven’t touched in three years? The fifteen mugs that all say “World’s Best…” something? Let them go. It’ll mean fewer boxes and more breathing space in your new kitchen.
The added pressure of having to move armloads of stuff you barely use and quite frankly can live without is a great motivator. Otherwise it’s costing you money, time and space.
- Money because of removalists, or friendship credit.
- Space because the rooms at your new home could be filled with something you love instead.
- And time because every one of those coffee cups will need to be wrapped, packed and then moved and unpacked.
2. Packing up your kitchen
Moving your kitchen is one of the hardest areas to pack as there is a variety of awkward shaped and different weight items. Here’s where your hours of playing tetris as a kid come to the fore!
Plan to pack by category, e.g. all glasses together, all plates together etc, but, if there are gaps in the boxes it’s important to fill them so that things are secure and don’t move around. Light or small items can be spread around a bit, for stability and security. Use medium sized boxes for most things ensuring heavier items are on the bottom, and lighter, more fragile items on top.
Clearly label ‘Kitchen’ on three sides of the box, and include a short description of the contents. The idea is to unpack all the boxes in one or two days, so it doesn’t matter too much what’s in each individual box.
If there are items that you don’t want to unpack straight-away, and perhaps keep in storage, this is where you want to be more detailed with your description.
Recommended packing supplies
It's important to have consistent boxes when moving. I recommend Kennards medium boxes for most of your items. You can buy 'seconds' for a lower price, or return new boxes for a part refund.
Invest in good quality packing paper from Kennards for your crockery and glassware.
A pistol tape gun saves so much time when packing. Ask around to see if you can borrow one before buying new.
I use these A6 shipping labels to label 3x sides of each box with the destination room so it's super clear for the removalists.
4. Create a kitchen essentials box (it’s a lifesaver!)
A great idea is to pack a ‘kitchen essentials box’ that gets unpacked first. This should have everything you need for the first twenty-four hours: kettle, tea, mugs, snacks, a plate and knife, maybe even a frying pan. It’s the box that saves you from digging through five others just to find a teaspoon. Include in this box a multi purpose cleaner, washing up liquid, a couple of cloths and tea-towels.
After all, a kettle, toaster, butter knife and teaspoon means you’ll be able to fix a very simple meal as soon as you get there.
5. Unpacking your kitchen
The kitchen is the busiest room, so once it’s unpacked it’s the hardest room to rearrange. Before moving your kitchen, we recommend spending some time upfront to plan your kitchen layout. Thinking this through ahead of time makes unpacking easier and ensures your kitchen is more functional from the start.
The first decision is to choose the right spot for your tea and coffee station. It should be near the sink and is often dependent on where the power points are. Your cups, mugs and hot drink supplies can then be placed in the surrounding cupboards.
Next, think about your kitchen in terms of zones:
- Prep zone for your mixing bowls, slicers & graters, whisks & measuring spoons.
- Cooking zone for pots & pans, cooking utensils, oils & cooking sauces.
- Serving zone for crockery, cutlery and serving bowls. Ideally this is close to the dishwasher for easy unloading.
Also consider where your food storage wraps, bags & containers will go. If you’re tight on space, think about separating out your less used ‘entertaining’ items in a buffet or other area of the home.
6. Ask for help when you need it
Moving home is complex and time sensitive. Don’t try to do it alone. Engage others to help out. Whether it’s helping declutter and pack, or getting extra hands on the day, every little bit helps. Consider if there’s someone that could help with childcare or pet care? Or even doing a coffee or lunch run on move day is helpful to keep everyone energised and cared for.
Moving your kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated
Your kitchen move doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a bit of prep and support, you can go from overwhelm to organised, from chaos to calm. Even the tiniest steps, like setting aside ten minutes to declutter your utensil drawer, can have a ripple effect on your whole move.
If this feels like too much to take on alone, that’s okay too. At Reclaim Your Space, my team and I understand how hard it is to let go and make decisions when your head’s already spinning. That’s why we don’t just show up with boxes, we like to do the hard (mental) work first with planning, thought and care. Every client, every kitchen, every move is different, and we can help with as little or as much as you need.
Whether you need someone to help pack, create a plan, or just keep you company while you decide between two cheese graters, we’re here for you. Sometimes you might just need someone calm in the chaos. And that’s exactly what we do.
Need help reclaiming your kitchen space before or after your move? We’d love to support you. Get in touch today
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