As you prepare to move to a new home, you may want to begin the process of packing your things as soon as possible. While some of the packing may need to be completed at the last minute, there are things you can do ahead of time to get a head start on this task, and this includes packing the things in your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you pack your kitchen things effectively and safely, and get a good portion of your kitchen items packed weeks before your move.

Skip Over the Things You Really Need

To get started packing your kitchen items early, you will need to decide what items you really need and which ones you don't. You can begin this process by going through each cabinet and removing things you know you will not need before the move. This may include fancy dishes you own, pie pans, and small kitchen appliances you use only on special dishes.

As you remove the things you really will not need during the next few weeks, your cabinets will begin to empty out. They will have the things you really need and that is it. As you are doing this, you may also want to consider switching over to paper plates and plastic cups for the remainder of your time at your house. With this decision, you could also pack up all your plates and cups, which will leave you with less to pack at the end.

While you are completing this step, set each of the items you plan to pack now on the counters or on your kitchen table. With everything setting out, you can begin packing your boxes in the most effective manner.

By starting this task a few weeks before the move, it also gives you more time to thoroughly evaluate what to get rid of. Cleaning out your cabinets offers the perfect time to get rid of things you have not used in years. If you do this, you can reduce the amount of stuff you will need to pack and move.

Nesting Your Things Is a Necessity

Nesting is a process that involves placing smaller things in bigger things, and this method will help you reduce the number of boxes you need for your things. Here are some ways you can use nesting to help you pack your kitchen belongings:

• Large plastic bowls—If you have plastic bowls with lids, you can use them to store things like spatulas, measuring cups, and measuring spoons.
• Pots and pans—Always stack your pots and pans inside each other to reduce space used.
• 5-gallon buckets—If you have any empty 5-gallon buckets around your house, use them to stack your plates. Make sure you wrap them with newspaper or bubble wrap first. If you do not have any buckets, you can use a box for your plates, but you should place them vertically instead of horizontally. This will reduce the chances of the plates breaking while they are being moved.

You can use the items you have to nest your things, and you may find that this helps you save a lot of space.

Combine Heavy & Light Things

Packing properly also involves evening out the weight in each box. When boxes are too heavy, they may end up breaking, or they may end up too heavy to carry. The best way to avoid this is to place heavy things at the bottom of each box and light things at the top.

For example, you can use a box to pack a few heavy pots and pans, and you can then place plastic storage bowls on the top. As you pack heavy and light things, be sure to try to fill each box to the top. In other words, try to use up all the space inside each box. This will prevent boxes from flattening out and getting damaged while they are being transported.

With these tips, you could get the majority of your kitchen items packed weeks before the move. This will reduce the amount of work you have during the last week, and it may help your belongings stay safer during the move. If you would like help packing your things, you can hire a moving company that offers packing services.