Nothing quite personifies excitement and stress in equal measure than moving home. Whether moving into your first home, into an overseas property, from a flat or apartment into a detached house, or downsizing, the thrill of your new chapter is often hindered by the physically and mentally demanding process of moving all your belongings.
Depending on the size and scale of your move, packing, decluttering, and finding the right type of storage facility can quickly become a project that spans weeks or even months. Ensuring all your belongings arrive safely at your new home is usually one of the highest priorities, incredibly delicate, fragile, brittle or sentimental items. Packing and transporting these treasured or easily breakable items can quickly become an unwanted extra stress in a seemingly never-ending to-do list. 
However, there is a fine art to packing and transporting them in ways that minimise and eliminate the risk of damage. This short guide will provide the essential tips to properly pack your fragile items for a smooth, stress-free moving day.
Preparation is key
Experienced movers will have perfected their own processes to ensure an easy and successful move. However, those unfamiliar with large-scale house moves should gather a few essentials before packing anything.
Taking the time to get yourself organised with some basic supplies will make the packing process much easier and less overwhelming. Before packing anything, make sure that you have the following to hand:
- Resilient packing tape
- Strong cardboard or plastic boxes
- Marker pens for labelling
- Bubble wrap and/or tissue paper
- Air pillows or foam inserts
- Loose fill chips or packing peanuts
- Bungee cords, ties, or rope
Old towels, blankets or newspapers are often used to fill containers and boxes to reduce the risk of damage to packed items during transit. Paper-based packaging materials are a better option for many homeowners, mainly because they are recyclable, cost-effective and better for the environment.
How to pack specific fragile items
Homeowners will likely have varying amounts of delicate items in their homes that they want to keep for their new abode.
1. Glassware, dishes and ceramics
You will likely want to keep some kitchen essentials, such as glasses, plates, bowls, mugs, and other ceramic or glass crockery, in your possession. They may have been handed down to you from a relative, and even if you only use them sporadically, ensuring their safety during transit is vital.
These types of belongings are notorious for being easy to break and require extra care when packing.
- Use smaller, easier-to-lift boxes for specific items that have little room to shift inside.
- Line the bottom of boxes with plenty of bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
- To add a layer of protection, wrap every glass with packing paper or bubble wrap and wrap around the stems first.
- Stack bowls or plates vertically with packing material between each one to prevent ceramic-on-ceramic contact and vibrations. Seal these stacks with packing tape for added stability.
- Ensure that any gaps in boxes with fragile ceramics or glasses are filled with cushioning materials to lock them in place more tightly and prevent them from moving freely inside.
2. Televisions and electronics
It’s a wise idea to keep the original boxes for televisions, computers, screens, game consoles, speakers, amplifiers, projectors and other bulky at-home simulation systems you may have for your hobbies like launch monitors or VR headsets.
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t have them. You can make do with a handful of essential materials to safeguard these heavy-duty and delicate items, even if you don’t have the original boxes to hand.
Wrap any screens in bubble wrap and blankets and secure them with tape to prevent contact with the LED face. Ensure that the tape does not latch onto the screen, as this could damage it. Pack all the cables (with packing peanuts or paper) into boxes that could store projectors, speakers, or consoles. Make sure to wrap them separately in bubble wrap to prevent sharp edges from contacting the units and any loose wires from being caught during unpacking.
3. Furniture
Antique and delicate furniture require a specific approach when packing for your big move. Bulky pieces should be dismantled if possible, with all removable parts unscrewed and detached. Any loose parts, mainly if made from brittle materials like glass or clay, should ideally be wrapped.
Freestanding china cabinets, bookshelves, mirrors, or glass table tops can be quickly shattered if not adequately protected. Any disassembled parts should be wrapped individually, clearly marking them with relevant notes to signify where they belong when you come to reassemble them in your new home. Use blankets and soft cushioning to make ‘sandwiches’ of, for example, glass panels or mirrors between layers of bubble wrap and cardboard.
4. Decorative, high-value items
Fragile items for decoration, such as artwork, vases, lamps, and more, need additional stability during transit.
Pack delicate bases, stands, or legs separately from detachable parts, using plenty of internal padding and filler to prevent them from shifting. Any framed artwork—mainly if it’s expensive or sentimental to you—should be given a ‘shell’ of cardboard and bubble wrap to prevent any damage.
Sculptures, vases, or brittle ornaments should be wrapped individually with bubble wrap, tape, and packing paper, each given its tight box.
Removals and storage experts
While the packing process can be physically demanding and requires careful organisation, following these tips will provide peace of mind, knowing that your delicate or fragile items will be kept safe in transit. With the market looking promising, now may be the perfect time to consider a house move, so getting prepared sooner rather than later could pay off handsomely. Ultimately, having the right removal company can reassure you that your fragile possessions will arrive at your new home safely and damage-free.
Here at PICK&MOVE, we pride ourselves in providing professional end-to-end removals and storage in London. Our packing and transport experts are experienced in preparing even the most delicate and treasured items for transport.
We can help you pack and unpack your items so you don’t have to worry about exerting yourself beyond your limits or risking accidental damage after what will have already been an exhausting endeavour. Alternatively, we can provide short and long-term secure storage solutions if you need to stagger your move. Contact us today for a free quote for our packing and removal service.
