How to pack fragile items for a house move
Step-by-step packing for plates, glasses, TVs, mirrors and art.
- Professional, vetted moversRegistered, insured and checked
- Compare the quotesPrice, reviews and what is included
- Free, no obligationYou choose who to book
Most breakages happen because a box was too full, too heavy or packed with gaps. A little method makes a big difference.
What you need
- Strong double-wall boxes in small and medium sizes
- Packing paper (not newspaper, which marks china)
- Bubble wrap and foam sheets
- Strong tape and marker pens
- Cell dividers for glasses
Plates and dishes
- Line the box base with crumpled paper.
- Wrap each plate in paper, then bundle 3 to 4 and wrap again.
- Stand plates on their edge, like records, not flat.
- Fill gaps so nothing moves when you shake the box gently.
Glasses and mugs
Use dividers where possible. Wrap each glass, stuff the inside with paper, and place heavier items at the bottom. Mark the box FRAGILE and which side is up.
TVs and monitors
The original box is best. If you do not have one, use a TV box from a packing shop, or wrap in a blanket and foam and keep it upright. Never lay a flat screen face-down. Take photos of cable connections before unplugging.
Mirrors and pictures
Tape an X across glass to hold it if it cracks, wrap in bubble wrap, and use a mirror carton or sandwich between cardboard sheets. Store on the long edge, never flat.
Lamps and electricals
Remove bulbs and shades. Wrap the base, coil the cable and secure it. Pack shades in their own box with paper inside.
When to pay for packing
For antiques, art, a full kitchen or a large home, professional packing is worth considering and usually comes with insurance. Tell companies in your quote request. For general packing tips see our house packing guide, and when you are ready, compare packing and moving quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is newspaper safe for wrapping china?
Ink can transfer. Plain packing paper is cleaner and safer.
Should I pack boxes full?
Yes, but not overloaded. A heavy box should be small, and a light box can be large.
Do removal companies pack for you?
Many do, for an extra fee. Ask for packing in your quote.
Related guides
- How many boxes do I need to move house?
- How to pack for a house move
- Moving day timeline: hour by hour
The three rules of fragile packing
- Cushion it. Every fragile item needs padding on all sides, so that it does not touch the box.
- Fill the gaps. Anything that can move in a box can break. Fill gaps with paper, towels or clothes.
- Support the weight. Heavy items at the bottom, light items on top, and strong boxes with sealed bottoms.
By item
- Glasses and china. See how to pack dishes and glasses.
- Pictures and mirrors. Wrap in paper and bubble wrap, use cardboard corners, and carry them upright in a picture box. Use tape in a cross on glass if you have no box, and keep tape off the surface.
- Lamps and lampshades. Remove the shade and bulb. Wrap the base, and pack the shades in a large box, nested, with paper.
- TVs and monitors. Use the original box if you have it. If not, use a TV carton or a thick blanket, and keep them upright.
- Computers and electronics. Back up your data, label and photograph cables, wrap in anti-static or bubble wrap and pack with cushioning.
- Ornaments and collectibles. Wrap each separately, and use small boxes.
- Plants and pots. Many movers will not move plants. Empty large pots of soil.
- Artwork and antiques. Use specialist packing, and tell the company. See goods in transit insurance.
Label and load
- Mark every box "Fragile" on the top and sides, with an arrow showing which way up.
- Tell the crew where the fragile boxes are, so they are loaded last and unloaded first.
- Do not stack heavy boxes on fragile ones.
Take photographs
Photograph valuable items before the move. If you pack fragile items yourself, ask the removal company how its insurance treats them, since cover can be limited. A professional packing service shifts responsibility to the company. See packing service costs and how to pack for a house move.
Common questions
What is the best way to pack a mirror?
Wrap it, protect the corners, use a mirror or picture box and carry it upright. Tell the crew it is fragile.
Can I use towels and clothes as packing?
Yes. They are good padding, and they save on materials.
Is bubble wrap enough?
It is good for padding, but you still need a strong box and no gaps.
