Kitchen packing tips, please (I'm a control freak, so want to do it myself)!

[NervousFirstTimeBuyer]

I'm going to be moving within the next couple of months (not sure exactly when yet, but the solicitors are currently working on it, and both we and the vendor are chain-free), and I want to get organised sooner rather than later. My experience from previous (much smaller) moves is that it always takes far longer than expected, and I always turn out to have far more to pack than I realised. All my previous moves have been between shared rentals, and I haven't had any furniture to transport — this time is very different, and there are two of us.

Anyway, I'm thinking I'll start with attic-bound things that we don't need regularly, and some of our non-essential kitchen things, such as excess "nice" crockery and glasses, and various appliances such as a stand mixer and food processer. But I have no idea how best to pack delicate or awkwardly shaped kitchen things (we don't have original boxes). Any tips to ensure they don't get damaged?

I should add that I'd much prefer to pack these things myself than get packers to do it, because I get anxious at the thought of putting all my stuff in the hands of other people. I realise this might be irrational, but I don't think I'm going to be able to change my outlook before the move, so please take that as a starting point before recommending I get other people in to do it.

Storage warehouses sell boxes and bubble wrap.

But ilm still going to recommend that you get professional packers and movers!

You can buy loads of boxes and bubble wrap on amazon. We moved in November and I packed myself, I did a bit each day over 4 months so I didn't have to do it all in one day.
Bubble wrap is your friend for delicate items, save any packaging you get and use that. I also padded out any boxes with out of season clothes. Make sure you pack right to the top of the boxes so they don't get crushed when in the moving van.
And label every box so you know what room they go in, it will save you time when unpacking.

If you are having a removal firm they will usually supply boxes & white wrapping paper. I brought some boxes & bubble wrap online. That were really good so I started off with mine & then had many more from the removers. Order much more bubble wrap than you think you need, I ordered 100mtrs, thinking it would be tons etc, still had to buy more!

Buy the good quality thicker boxes, they are called double or something. They will protect your items, don’t over load them, smaller boxes and more of are better than big boxes that are so heavy when filled.

The most important tip is to write in sharpie what is in each box, makes things much easier when you are unpacking or wanting to find a particular piece of equipment.

I put bubble wrap on the bottom of boxes, containing plates, glasses etc. Not a thing got broke when we moved.

Good luck with your move.

I used all my old towels, tea towels, pillow cases and t shirts to wrap breakables in when I moved!

If you get quotes from removal companies now, they will often then sell you a whole kit, with the boxes, tape, bubble wrap and paper packing.

The advantage is that then the boxes are the same size and stack safely and neatly. And they assess how many you need. (Far more than you think!).

Full boxes with some heavy, some light. Use your tea towels and cushions as soft bulk. Label each box with the content and the room you want it put in at the other end.

Keep one box of ‘on the day essentials’ : mugs, kettle, hand towel, basic cleaning materials.

We moved last month. Go for smaller boxes and lots of bubble wrap. Larger boxes get too heavy.

Really well label all your boxes. What room they are going to and what is inside the box.

Try to pack any excess things in advance and allow a couple of hours on the day to pack to rest abs leave enough boxes. We ran out and had a mad dash to get more

I got biodegradable bubble wrap on ebay, works just as well as normal bubble wrap (I have no idea how quick it biodegrades but even if it's 100 years rather than 1000 the thats got to be better right?!)

ask around first as people may have boxes and bubble wrap from their own move. And certainly freecycle yours afterwards. Storage places sell it much cheaper than Amazon.

plenty of youtube/online hints for packing; can't remember it all now but I did it myself some years back and everything survived two journeys and a time in storage unscathed. And yes, start now. Make sure boxes are light enough for you to move easily.

doing it yourself also makes you think what you actually need to keep.

Start with ruthlessly declutter. It's a great opportunity to get rid of stuff.

Then talk to your movers. A PP is right. They'll supply good quality boxes that stack well in their vans.

And really think again about having a packing service. We used a nationwide chain and I loved the packers, made the whole day very low stress and they take responsibility for any damage.

As @Kerberos said, declutter first. I have rented a small storage unit as well. Divide into three categories - bin, needed daily, can go to storage. That way, anything on moving day are the things I use frequently. I can get the other stuff out of storage when I need.

I would never pack myself for moving. The professionals are quicker and do it better. They will make sure the boxes aren’t too heavy and that they can be stacked. If you do it yourself get the strongest boxes you can. They are surprisingly expensive so I would look hard at the relative costs of them packing for you and sourcing boxes and tape.