If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then it’s not surprising that it’s probably the room that will take the longest to pack up. Here’s a step-by-step guide to packing up the kitchen that will make the job less overwhelming.

Sort

Before you even begin to pack, go through your kitchen and decide what you will be taking with you. Ask yourself if it’s worth it to pay to move certain items, or if it’s easier to just replace them when you arrive in your new home. Also check how much space you will have in your new kitchen to be sure that everything you bring will fit there. Donate, sell or give away the items you are not taking with you.

Prepare

Gather your packing materials. Have your boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap/wrapping paper, and writing implements set up in the kitchen.

Get your kitchen items organized. Put together like items that will be packed together.

Put Aside Things for Your “Carry Me” Box

Set aside items that you will need up until you move, and to get started in your kitchen as soon as you arrive. Some basics may include: cutlery, some utensils, a pot and pan, dish towel and soap. Put them aside so they don’t get packed up with everything that is going on the truck.

Pack Non-Essentials First

Start by packing up items you won’t need right now like decorative vases, wall hangings, cookbooks. Leave out items you will need, but be very selective.

Appliances

The best way to pack a small appliance is in the box it came in if you happen to still have it. If not, wrap it well in packing materials and stack in a box with other small appliances.

Larger kitchen appliances need to be properly prepared for the move. They need to be unplugged and cleaned at least 24 hours before the move. Check the appliance manuals or with the dealer to see what other preparation is needed before moving a major appliance.

Pots, Pans and Utensils

Don’t forget to leave out what you will need. Pack your pots and pans in medium sized boxes, with paper between them so they don’t scratch each other. Wrap your utensils in wrapping paper (you can wrap a few items together), and then stack in a box together.

Dishes, Glasses and China

Some people choose to have professionals pack up their fragile items. If you pack them yourself, be sure to have plenty of cushioning packing materials, as well as the right boxes. Boxes for dishes have extra cushioning on the walls of the box.

Drinking glasses and stemware should be carefully wrapped individually and packed in boxes with dividers. Make sure boxes are packed tightly to avoid items banging into each other. Put extra packing materials at bottom and top of box.

Clearly label boxes that contain breakables “fragile.”

Pantry

You can’t move perishables on a moving truck. So either finish eating your frozen and refrigerated foods before you move, or give them away. If you choose to take some food items with you, like spices, wine or items in glass jars, wrap them very carefully. Canned goods are probably not worth paying to move since they are heavy.

Seal and Label

Pack boxes tightly, but don’t make them too heavy to handle. Make sure there is a lot of packing material to cushion the items in the box. Label each box with “KITCHEN” and a brief description of what is in the box.