Free Move-In Kitchen Checklist for Renters
Free · printable · for renters
The Move-In Kitchen Checklist
Measure once, buy things that actually fit, and leave no holes behind when you move out. Five measurements, a deposit-protection routine, and a zone-by-zone checklist for a small rental kitchen.
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Before you buy anything: 5 measurements
Most organizers that "don't fit" fail by less than an inch. Take these five with a tape measure and write them down (a photo of each cabinet with the numbers helps).
- Cabinet inside: width, depth and height measured inside the box. The door opening is usually narrower than the inside, so measure the opening too.
- Under the sink: the width on each side of the drain pipe, the height up to the lowest pipe, and the depth to the pipes or back wall.
- Door clearance: the gap between the back of the closed door and the front edge of the shelf, including the hinges. Anything that hangs on a door has to fit in this gap.
- Drawer inside: width, depth and height of the drawer box itself, not the drawer front.
- Shelf spacing: the height between two shelves, so stacked items and turntables still clear the shelf above.
More detail, with pictures: How to measure kitchen cabinets, drawers and faucets · Size & Fit Guide
The rest of the checklist covers protecting your deposit on day one, five kitchen zones, and a move-out plan.
Day 1: protect your deposit
- Before unpacking, take photos of every cabinet, drawer, the under-sink area and the counters. Your phone saves the date.
- Note what's already there: scratches, water stains, loose hinges, old holes. Email the list and photos to your landlord or property manager so there's a record.
- Read your lease for rules on nails, hooks and adhesives. If it says nothing, ask in writing.
- Check under the sink for drips or a damp cabinet floor before you store anything there, and report leaks right away.
Zone by zone
Under the sink
- Measure both sides of the drain pipe (see measurement 2).
- If the area ever gets wet, use freestanding or pull-out storage there instead of anything stuck on.
- Group cleaners on one tier or in one bin so nothing gets pushed to the back.
- Keep the trash-bag roll where you change the bag: a door-mounted holder or the top tier.
Cabinets & pantry
- Deep or corner cabinets: put a turntable in so the back row comes to the front.
- Store by how you cook: baking together, breakfast together, oils and spices near the stove.
- Heavy items on low shelves; light, rarely used items up high.
- Label jars and bins so everyone in the home puts things back in the same place.
Cabinet doors
- Check door clearance (measurement 3) before buying anything for a door.
- For stick-on items: clean the spot with rubbing alcohol, let it dry, press firmly, and wait the full cure time on the package (often 24 hours) before loading.
- Test adhesive on a hidden spot first, and keep door storage light: spices, lids, wraps.
Drawers
- Measure the inside of each drawer (measurement 4).
- Use cut-to-fit dividers so one set works in drawers of different sizes.
- Everyday utensils in the drawer nearest the stove; rarely used tools further away.
Sink & counter
- Get the sponge off the counter: a holder that hangs on the faucet lets it drain into the sink.
- Give dish towels a fixed spot, like a bar over a cabinet door.
- Keep only daily-use items on the counter; everything else gets a cabinet.
Move-out plan
- Remove stick-on items slowly: warm the adhesive with a hair dryer for about 30 seconds, then slide dental floss or a plastic card behind it. Don't pull straight off.
- Clean leftover residue with a little cooking oil or an adhesive remover. Test on a hidden spot first so the finish isn't affected.
- Take the same photos as on day one and compare them before you hand back the keys.