A friend is someone who is there for you. A best friend helps you move. A phenomenal friend helps you move to an upstairs apartment in the middle of a Texas summer!

I was recently enlisted for that particular job – this weekend I helped a sorority sister pack up her stuff and move – and I have to admit, I felt like an expert. I’ve switched apartments, homes and resident cities more times than I can count.

But when we arrived and began unpacking, evidence of broken plates and mugs told me otherwise. I may be replacing some accidentally broken dishes, but this doesn’t have to happen to you – whether you’re moving or cleaning out the kitchen for a big remodel. Here’s a few tips that may have been overlooked:

Keep an “Essentials Box” filled with things you’ll use between packing and moving – it’s the easiest way to find things you need right away when you arrive at the new place or need to create a makeshift kitchen during a remodel.

Never leave void or unfilled spaces when packing fragile items – always fill the space with old newspapers or bubble wrap so items don’t shift.

Pack deep bowls nested two or three together, upside down on their rims – it’s more stable!

Take time to wrap a layer of paper around cup handles before wrapping the entire cup to protect the handles from breaking off.

Check out more packing tips from the professional movers at Allied. Just don’t forget to take time picking out a proper kitchen layout as you unpack into a brand-new (or new-to-you) kitchen!

Our intern is Desiree Johnson, a recent journalism graduated and Texas native. The 27-year-old loves painting, her dachshund Munchie and learning to use what she calls her “real, adult-sized kitchen.”