To find out what an expert considers the top three kitchen items that could totally derail your next move, we turned to Lee Crowder, national director of design and model experience at Taylor Morrison. Crowder explains why these three items can be a real nuisance if not packed properly and offers tips to avoid damage to your belongings while they’re in the moving truck. Keep reading to find out what can (literally) make or break your next move.

Lee Crowder is a trusted home expert and the national director of design and model experience for Taylor Morrison.

Michael Partenio

1. Sentimental Kitchen Items Prone to Breaking

Whether it’s a vintage glassware collection you inherited from your grandmother or holiday dishes that have been in the family for decades, sentimental, fragile kitchen items are one of the biggest things that could derail your next move.

“Precious and special kitchen items that are prone to breaking, like fine china dinnerware, would be heartbreaking if they were shattered during a move,” Crowder says. No one wants to arrive in their new home only to find that some of their most prized possessions and irreplaceable heirlooms were broken during the move.

How to Avoid Damaging Dishes

To prevent precious breakables from shattering during a move, Morrison recommends overpacking rather than underpacking your moving boxes. “Too much space leaves opportunity for breakage,” he says. Pack each item individually, wrapping extra-delicate items in both packing paper and bubble wrap to create a protective barrier.

If you are using cardboard boxes, ensure the bottoms are sturdy, double-box if necessary, and avoid overfilling them to prevent breakage if another box is placed on top.

John Bessler

2. Heavy Kitchen Items and Small Appliances

The last thing you’ll want to do when you arrive at your new home is replace small kitchen appliances that were damaged during the move.

“Large or heavy items, such as a mixer or an air fryer, can be difficult to pack and contribute to a frustrating moving process,” Crowder says.

Failing to pack them properly leads to even greater frustration and unexpected costs. Whether it’s a glass kettle, a bulky stand mixer, or a cool retro-style toaster, small appliances are often thrown into moving boxes without much thought.

How to Avoid Damaging Small Appliances

To avoid damage to these items during your move, take the following precautions: Before you start packing, clean the small appliances. This way, you’re not dragging old crumbs and dirt into your new space, and other items aren't dirtied during the move. Wrap cords using cable ties to prevent tangling and fraying. Remove any detachable pieces and place them in a clear plastic bag labeled accordingly. Wrap each small appliance in bubble wrap, and depending on its weight and size, place it in a moving box or plastic tub, along with any bagged removable parts.

“For all kitchen items, make sure to use the right boxes so they will be safe even if they are thrown around in the truck,” Crowder adds.

James Salomon

3. Kitchen Knife Collection

“If a knife collection isn’t packed properly, the knives could be ruined or cause an unexpected injury,” Crowder warns.

Whether you store knives in an organizer inside a drawer, on a wall-mounted magnetic bar, or in a countertop knife block, you need to pack them properly so they don’t totally derail your move. If you don’t pack them correctly, the blades can be chipped and permanently damaged, and they can also puncture other items packed in the same box.

How to Stay Safe When Moving Knife Sets

For the best way to pack knives, remove them from their storage container (a block, drawer organizer, or magnetic bar). Check that they are in good condition, wash any dirty knives, and discard damaged ones. Also, inspect the knife container to ensure it’s still usable. If your knives come with plastic safety covers, place them on the blades before you begin packing.

Wrap each knife individually in a layer of packing paper and bubble wrap, and then use tape to secure the top wrapping layer. This way, the knives won’t unwrap during the move and be damaged or tear up other items in the moving box.