Most moving-day breakages are avoidable. The difference between a chipped heirloom and a perfect arrival usually comes down to technique and materials. Here is how the professionals pack fragile and valuable items so they survive the journey — and how you can too.
Start with the right materials
- Strong double-walled cartons in a few sizes (small for heavy items, larger for light bulky ones).
- Bubble wrap, packing paper (not printed newspaper, which stains) and foam pouches.
- Purpose-made boxes for glasses, bottles and flat-screen TVs.
- Strong tape and a marker for clear “FRAGILE — THIS WAY UP” labelling.
Glassware and crockery
Wrap each piece individually in paper, then bubble wrap stemware and anything delicate. Pack plates on their edge (vertically), never stacked flat — they resist pressure far better standing up. Cushion the bottom of the box with crushed paper, fill every gap so nothing shifts, and never overload: a fragile box should be light enough to lift easily.
Mirrors and framed art
Tape a large “X” across glass to hold shards if it cracks, then wrap in bubble wrap and sandwich between cardboard or in a flat picture box. Always store and transport mirrors and frames upright on their edge, never flat where weight can crack them. Valuable artwork should be corner-protected and ideally crated.
Antiques and heirlooms
Older timber, veneer and upholstery are sensitive to pressure and friction. Wrap in clean blankets or acid-free materials rather than tape directly on the surface. Remove or secure loose parts (drawers, glass doors, clock pendulums). Genuinely valuable or irreplaceable pieces deserve a custom timber crate — the gold standard for long-distance protection.
Electronics
Original boxes are best; if you don’t have them, photograph the cabling first, bag and label cables, and pack devices snugly in bubble wrap. Flat-screen TVs should go in a TV carton or be blanket-wrapped and transported upright.
The golden rules
- No empty space — gaps let items move and break. Fill everything.
- Heavy at the bottom, light on top, in every box and on the truck.
- Label by room and mark fragiles clearly so they’re handled and placed correctly.
- Declare high-value items for insurance and specialist handling.
When to call in the professionals
For valuable, irreplaceable or simply nerve-wracking items, professional packing pays for itself. Our packing and unpacking service brings the right materials and crating for fragile, glass and high-value pieces, and our furniture removals teams are trained to handle antiques, pianos and art. Request a quote and move your most precious things with confidence.
