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The most challenging part of a long-distance move isn’t always the move or the traveling itself. For many, it’s the packing stage. Packing everything in your old house can take weeks to a few months, especially when you have a big house with so many items and furniture pieces to deal with.
To top it off, your home decorations are probably among the trickiest to deal with out of all the things you’ll need to pack. Most of them may be made from glass, mirrors, and other breakable materials. Some examples of fragile decors may include valuable antiques, heavy and bulky instruments, art frames, vanity mirrors, flower vases, aesthetic light fixtures, etc.
If you want home decorations to arrive in your new house in one piece, there are a few things you’ll need to do to keep them safely wrapped and properly protected during the long trip ahead. Here are some insightful hints on how to pack your home décor for a long-distance move.
- Use brand-new and durable boxes
Make sure you use brand-new, fresh, and durable boxes for your home decorations for a long-distance move. Keep in mind that these boxes will contain your fragile items for the next few days, depending on how long the move will take. Using old, ragged, low-quality boxes might only rip or tear during the trip, causing your fragile decorations to fall out during transport.
Besides using durable boxes, it’s also recommended to add insulation inside your boxes so that the items inside won’t rattle or bump into each other during the trip. You may use cardboard sheets or cardboard tubes to provide extra layers of insulation and additional protection for your fragile decorations. Moreover, ensure you hire a long-distance moving company specializing in handling delicate decorations and fragile furniture pieces, so you know your decorations are in good hands.
- Gather all the necessary packing supplies
Aside from boxes, it would be best to use the proper packing supplies. Use large packing tapes with all-weather quality and with double thick adhesive. They may be costlier than the ordinary ones, but you can ensure they’re reliable in holding and keeping your boxes together during transportation. (1)
Other packing supplies you must have on hand are:
- Bubble wraps
- Used or old clothing and fabric
- Plastic containers
- Box cutters (for cutting boxes to fit them with the décor’s shape and size)
- Markers
- Pen and paper
- Colored stickers and labels
You may also inquire from your hired moving company about their available packaging supplies, specifically for home decorations.
- Sort out your decorations
Sort out your decorations based on their type, shape, weight, and fragility. Avoid packing them all in the same way, as some are more fragile than others. For instance, separate your art frames from your flower vases or figurines since they require a different size of the box and different wrapping styles. Meanwhile, if you see that some of your decorations are broken, damaged, or scratched, it may be best to toss them away. Items already chipped, grated, or cracked may be prone to breakage during the trip.
- Wrap each decoration with bubble wraps
Before putting the decorations inside their boxes, individually wrap them first with bubble wraps. When covering fragile items, don’t rely on newspaper alone, as it won’t provide enough layers to protect your decoration from possible impact.
Here are some insightful tips when wrapping certain kinds of decoration:
- Frames and mirrors – After wrapping each frame or mirror with bubble wrap, use pipe insulation to cushion its edges and prevent it from rubbing against or touching another item. Then, add more protective layers by wrapping the front glass/mirror with a piece of foam or used clothing before placing them vertically in the box. (2)
- Decorative LED lights – Aside from preventing breakage, it’s vital to store and pack your LED lights correctly to ensure they still function once you’ve arrived in your new house. Before wrapping them up, carefully untangle the wires and fold them neatly to avoid knots. Then wrap them in a separate box and avoid mixing them with other decorations to protect them from being tangled with the other items.
- Heavy decoration pieces – Heavy and large decoration pieces like sculptures, large pots or vases, or instruments should be wrapped and placed in their individual box. After wrapping each of them with bubble wraps, carefully place them inside the box. Then, add more clothing or wadding paper inside the box to provide more cushioning and prevent the item from rattling inside during the move. (2)
- Test each box for possible movement
Now that you have your home decorations in their boxes, you need to test each box for any possible movement before finally sealing them. You can try to shake or gently rattle them and observe if you see, feel, or hear any movement from the inside. If the item moves or shifts too much, it means the box is too loose, or it still needs more newspaper or clothing for additional insulation and protection. Meanwhile, if the decoration inside is not moving or shifting, you may seal the box with high-quality packaging tape.
- Label each box properly
Once all the boxes for your decorations are sealed, label them accordingly. Aside from labeling the type or name of the decoration, it’s also ideal to add the note “Fragile” or “Handle With Care.” This way, the professional movers and anyone who will lift or move your boxes will recognize the items inside the boxes and handle them with care.
Wrapping up
Although packing up your home decorations may take some time and effort, doing it properly will save you from stress and potential item damage during the moving day. If packing up by yourself is too much, you can always hire professionals to help pack your items. Just ensure to apply these tips to protect your fragile items before, during, and after the moving process.
References:
- “Essential Moving And Packing Supplies You Should Never Move Without”, Source: https://www.pods.com/blog/2020/12/moving-packing-supplies-list/
- “Our Ultimate Packing Tips For Moving Tricky Items”, Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/packing-tips-for-moving-tricky-items/