Month: September 2023

The kitchen is one of the most challenging rooms to pack when making a residential move. Here are some tips to ease the process.

1. Organize and Declutter

The first step to packing any room is to sort through items and find other “homes” for things you no longer need. You can donate pots and pans, sets of silverware, and cooking utensils in good condition. You can also donate or sell used small appliances if you don’t use them anymore or have duplicates.

Once you’ve decided what to keep, take an inventory. Then sort the items by frequency of use and function. Place a detailed label on every box, such as “Dishes,” rather than just using a generic title like “Kitchen.”

2. Limit Purchases

Avoid buying a lot of food in the weeks before your move. Instead, use what you already have in your cupboards. Some moving companies will not transport food items depending on their policies and the distance of your move. Either way, having less food to move will ease the process.

3. Gather Supplies

Determine what packing supplies you’ll need based on your inventory. In general, packing supplies will include:

• Large boxes for small appliances and dry food items
• Dish pack and cell boxes
• Small and medium boxes for odds and ends, pots and pans, and silverware
• Bubble wrap or similar material
• Newspapers or unprinted paper
• Ziploc bags for loose items
• Packing tape
• Marker
• Labels

4. Pack Infrequently Used Items

You can begin packing those items you use infrequently as soon as you know you’ll move. These items might include:

• Crystal
• Vases
• Special occasion serving plates
• Special utensils, such as barbecue tongs
• Cookbooks
• Wall hangings and pictures
• Refrigerator magnets

5. Plan an Essentials Box

Set aside essential items you’ll need for the last two days in your old home and will need immediately in your new home. Pack these items in an appropriately labeled “Kitchen Essentials” box just before leaving your old home.

6. Pack Drawers and Shelves

Begin packing your drawers with the messiest one first. Set aside one place setting per family member and one or two critical pots and pans for your essentials box.

Pack Dishes

Pack dishes in a medium-sized flat box or a dish pack if they are breakable. Wrap each dish to protect it. Always pack stemware using cell boxes and additional protection.

Pack Pots and Pans

Stack pots and pans with the larger one on the bottom and smaller ones nesting inside, with packing paper between them. Put dish towels around them and around openings to prevent them from moving.

Pack any glass tops just as you would plates, putting foam, bubble wrap, or other protective material around each.

Pack Silverware

Silverware is easy to pack if you already have a utensil organizer. Stack each type of utensil nicely, then wrap it in plastic. Secure the wrapped bundle with a rubber band and put it back in the organizer. If you don’t have an organizer, pack each type of utensil in plastic bags.

Sharp knives require special handling. Place each in packing paper, wrap a towel around it, and secure it with a rubber band. Pack knives on their sides.

7. Pack Small Appliances

Pack small appliances in their original boxes if possible. If not, use as small a box as possible, filling gaps with towels or packing paper.

8. Ask for Help

Your professional mover can answer any questions about packing your kitchen.

Contact us for a free quote. We can help get you moved in quickly and comfortably.

In today’s digital age, your smartphone can be a valuable asset to simplify the moving process. Specifically, your phone camera can be helpful to assist you at every stage of your move. From organizing your belongings to documenting essential details, here are five reasons your phone camera is valuable during a residential move.

1. Snap Pics of Packed Boxes for a Quick Reference Later

Use the camera on your phone to take pictures of the items inside each box before you seal it, to provide supporting detail for your handwritten label. This visual reference will make unpacking at your new home a breeze. You’ll be able to quickly identify which carton contains your kitchen essentials, electronics, or personal items. This will support a smoother transition without unnecessary searching for specific items. Pull up your image references instead of physically digging through boxes.

2. Take Pics of Electronics Connections Before Disconnecting

Disassembling electronics can be a hassle, but the true challenge comes when it’s time to reconnect everything in your new space. Before disconnecting cables, cords, and components, take clear pictures of how each electronic device is connected. This visual guide simplifies the reassembly process and saves you from the frustration of trial and error once you get moved. There are several other excellent tips to remember when packing electronics, such as labeling all your cords and cables and using original boxes to protect items adequately.

3. Get Pics of Your Rental Home for Proof of Condition When You Vacate

If you’re moving to or from a rental property, capturing images of the condition of the premises before you leave and when you arrive is essential. Document any wear and tear, scratches, or damage in photographs upon move-in. Then when you move out, pictures can show any current problems and that you did not cause further damage yourself.

Also, get a few clear pictures that portray the overall condition of elements like flooring, walls, and appliances after cleaning everything. These images can prove the property’s condition, protecting you from potential disputes with your landlord over the return of whatever money you paid for security deposits.

4. Grab a Few Pics of Your New House Before You Move

Before you start moving your belongings into your new home, take the opportunity to document it. If the new place is also a rental, as noted, photograph each room, highlighting any existing flaws or areas of concern. Even if your new home is purchased, pictures of the layout can be valuable as you plan how to pack and arrange your furnishings.

5. Capture a Few Good Memories of the Place You’re Leaving Behind

Moving marks the start of a new chapter in life, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the memories you’ve created in the home you’re leaving behind. Take a moment to capture a few photographs of your old home, especially the spaces with special significance.

For example, grab a final picture of the kids playing in the backyard or a selfie in front of your favorite window. These images will serve as cherished mementos of your time there as you move forward to a new place to call home.

Getting Ready for an Upcoming Move?

From planning to packing, a move involves a lot of work. Contact our team for a no-obligation moving quote so that we can take some of the work of your residential move off your shoulders.