--- title: How to Pack a Kitchen for a Move: Order and Boxes url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack a kitchen # How to pack a kitchen for a move A kitchen takes more boxes than any other room, so pack it in four passes, from rarely used items to the things you use every day. Leave out one day of dishes, one pan and a few utensils, and the kitchen can stay open until the last night. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The kitchen holds hundreds of small items with odd shapes, from glasses to blenders to a drawer of mystery lids. Packing it in the wrong order means you eat takeout for a week with nothing to put it on. Packing it in the right order means the last box is the coffee maker. ## Pass one: the things you rarely use Start with the top shelves and the back of the cupboards. Holiday platters, a roasting pan, the fondue set and the party glasses can go into cartons weeks ahead, since you will not miss them. Use small heavy-duty cartons for cookware and cookbooks, and dish-pack cartons for glass and china. The 10 free heavy-duty boxes that come with an O'Brien's in-home estimate are a good start. ## Pass two: small appliances and pantry shelves Wrap each small appliance, such as a toaster or a mixer, in paper and pack it in a medium carton with the cord taped to the base. Take out glass carafes, trays and blades first and pack them separately. Empty the pantry as you go; [what to do with food and the pantry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/) covers perishables, opened food and spices. ## Pass three: dishes, glass and cookware These are the pieces that break, so they get the most paper. Stack plates on edge, wrap each glass in its own sheet, and nest cookware with paper between. Detailed methods are in [how to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/), [how to pack glasses](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) and [how to pack pots and pans](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-pots-and-pans/). Fill every gap with paper so nothing shifts when you shake the carton. ## Pass four: the daily essentials Set aside a box for the final day. It holds two plates, two bowls, cups, a pan, a knife, a can opener, a roll of paper towels and the coffee maker. Everything else in the drawers can be packed in the last hour, sorted by type. - Cutlery goes into a tray or wrapped in a towel. - Knives are wrapped in cardboard and taped, blade edge protected. - Cleaning supplies go in a separate box, upright, with lids taped. ## Labeling and unpacking Label each carton with kitchen and the contents on the top and the side. Mark the box of daily essentials open first. At the new house, set up the sink area and the refrigerator, then unpack plates and glasses before the other boxes. If the fridge is moving too, see [how to move a refrigerator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-refrigerator/) for the prep. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [What to do with food and the pantry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/) - [Partial packing and box-packing-only service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack a garage and tools](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-garage/) - [How to pack a bathroom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-bathroom/) - [How to pack a home office and electronics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) - [How to pack a closet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-closet/) - [How to pack kids' rooms](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-kids-rooms/) - [How to pack patio and outdoor furniture](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-patio-furniture/) - [What to do with food and the pantry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/) - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How many boxes does a kitchen need? It varies with the size of the kitchen and how much you own. Your estimator can count cabinets and drawers at the in-home estimate and tell you what to expect. ### When should I start packing the kitchen? Start with rarely used items two to three weeks ahead and finish the daily items on the last night. Our 8-week timeline in [the moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-checklist/) puts it in context. ### Can movers pack the kitchen only? Yes. O'Brien's offers partial packing, so you can choose the kitchen and the fragile rooms and pack the rest yourself. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. J Judy H. April 7, 2026 I was so satisfied and impressed with O'Brien. My move went perfectly. If I have another move, it will be O'Brien for sure!! ### Owner's reply WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE MOVE WENT SO WELL!!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to let us know. F Francie H. February 20, 2026 We were referred to O'Brien's Moving and Storage though a friend in Reno. We couldn't be more pleased with the Professionalism and Service. They were quick to set up Luke to come out and give us a quote and scheduled the actual move date right away. Luke was on time for our quote as were the movers on our moving day. All three of the gentlemen who moved us were professional and courteous from start to finish. From the initial phone call to the completion of our move, we felt like we were treated as family. We would definitely use them again and recommend O'Brien's Moving and Storage to our friends in the future. ### Owner's reply Francie, Thank you for this amazing review. The result you have expressed is exactly what we all strive to accomplish. I love that you walked away knowing you are now a part of the O'Brien's family, whenever you need us we are a phone call away! I will let the movers know about the kind words expressed about them, that will be very satisfying for all of them. We will look forward to any referrals you send our way, thank you for the opportunity! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070