Unless you’re willing to eat takeout each night, the kitchen is one of the first rooms you’ll want to unpack after moving. After the initial stress of moving day has worn off, it can still seem overwhelming to tackle such a big job. A checklist of logical steps can help make the process easier.

1. Decide Which Cabinets Will Be Used for Which Items

Before you even open a box, grab a pad of post-its and think about where you want your dishes and other appliances or items to go. Think about a logical place for glasses, plates, bowls, etc. and write the labels on a post-it, sticking it on the cabinet door or the inside of it. Be sure to cover the following items:

  • Pots/pans 
  • Plates 
  • Bowls 
  • Glasses 
  • Mixing Bowls 
  • Cutting Boards/Racks 
  • Casserole Dishes

Depending on your collection of dishes, your list may vary a little. But think logically, too; you don’t want the glasses halfway across the kitchen from the fridge. That’s where you’re likely to grab some water or a drink, so storing the glasses in a cabinet near the fridge seems logical.

2. Relate Storage Space to Dishwasher Location

Also, think about the placement of the dishwasher – you’ll want to store plates in a cabinet close to where you unload the dishwasher.  Think about how you want your kitchen to be used and move the post-its around until you are happy with your system.

3. Locate the Boxes of Dishes and Test Out the Dishwasher 

Some people may not think this is necessary, but running unpacked dishes through the dishwasher is generally a good idea if they’ve been sitting in a dusty box – even if they were clean when you packed them. This also gives you a chance to locate broken items and decide if they need to be disposed of or mended.

4. Unpack One Box at a Time

Go slowly, and unpack one box at a time. As you come across familiar items, you’ll start finding new places for them. You can store less frequently used small appliances in out-of-the-way cabinets, while you should place frequently used items close by for easy use. Stash silverware drawers near the plates and consider storing cooking utensils in a drawer next to it. Many home chefs keep the most frequently used utensils (such as stirring spoons and spatulas) in a large, easily accessible container on the counter.

5. Be Flexible

Realize that if the system you created for storing plates, glasses or silverware doesn’t work, then try something else and see if that works better. Some kitchens are limited in their flexibility, and you can always change things again if they don’t work, but try and find a system you can live with for a while.

For help unpacking your kitchen, call the Cheap Movers team. We make it easy to hire San Diego movers that are licensed and insured, so you can trust them with everything you need to complete your move! Our partners offer the best moving services San Diego, CA – from furniture disassembly to assistance with unpacking. It’s our goal to give you a seamless moving experience that’s stress-free! 

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