Because of their odd shape, lamps can be a challenge to pack. But, since they’re fragile items, it’s very important to make sure they’re packed properly so that they travel cross country to your new home safely and securely.

1. Remove the lampshade and harp. Unscrew the finial to remove the lamp shade, then remove the light bulb to remove the harp (that’s the metal “U” that holds the shade). Set them aside.
2. Discard the light bulb. It’s very fragile and most likely won’t make the trip. Leave them for the new homeowners/renters, or share them with neighbors if they still have life!
3. Cover prongs with foam to protect base. Those metal prongs on the cord can potentially damage the base of the lamp. Take a spare piece of foam and use it to cover the prongs. If you don’t have foam available, you can also wrap the prongs in packing paper or bubble wrap and tape securely.
4. Gather the cord. Bundle the cord together to keep it secure.
5. Wrap base with paper padding. Place the base in a corner of the paper padding, and wrap it like a lamp burrito. If you prefer, you can tape it together to keep it tight, but that’s not necessary. If you do chose to use tape, be careful not to tape to the lamp base.
6. Place it upright into a box lined with packing paper. Crumble packing paper into the bottom of the box for padding, and then place the lamp base inside. Taller lamps may require you to use a lamp box.
7. Wrap the harp and finial in packing paper. Protect these pieces by wrapping them in packing paper, and taping the paper to keep it secure.
8. Add finial and harp to the box. Keep the parts of the lamp together by placing them in the same box.
9. Fill box with packing paper You can place multiple lamp bases in a box, just remember to fill the box with crumbled packing paper before taping it closed.
10. Pack shades in a separate box. Lamp shades are fragile, so use a different box just for shades.
11. Line this box with packing paper. Take a few pieces of crushed packing paper and place them inside the box for padding.
12. Place the shade inside the box. Place them upright, rather than on their side for protection and to make nesting multiple shades easier.
13. Line with more packing paper. Take more paper and place it inside the shade.
14. Nest shades inside each other. If you have multiple shades, you can nest them inside each other.
15. Fill the gaps with crushed paper. Ensure a tight fit by placing packing paper around the before taping it closed.

Collections of any size can be a bit overwhelming to move. You not only have to decide what pieces to take, but you also have to properly pack the things you’ve spent so much time and money collecting. The good news is that keeping your belongings in good condition is possible with a few steps.

Coins and other currency

It may be best to keep high-value with you during transit or hire an armored transport, like Brinks or Loomis. If you decide to move the collection, check with your homeowner’s insurance company to determine whether it’s covered during transit (and consider adding a policy if not).
To pack currency, wrap items in packing paper and place in boxes. Fill any extra spaces in the boxes with crumpled packing paper, so nothing moves during transit. For heavy items like coins, watch the box weight. Keep boxes under 40 lbs. to make them easier to manage.

Dolls, figurines, ceramics or glass

Fragile items require a few extra precautions:

• Wrap each box or item individually in packing paper (or wrap unboxed figurines in Bubble Wrap^®). Take care not to apply any tape to the collectibles, as it could damage the finish or paint.
• Wrap boxes in Bubble Wrap, paying special attention to the corners and edges.
• Prepare a large box by placing a layer of crushed packing paper at the bottom to pad the box.
• Place the wrapped boxes or items in the moving box, keeping them upright. Watch the weight of the box (we recommend 40 lbs. max) to ensure ease of lifting.
• Use crumpled packing paper to fill any gaps inside the box. Make sure there’s no wiggle room.
• Place a layer of crushed packing paper on top. This helps protect items when you cut open the moving box at destination.
• Mark the box “Fragile,” and avoid stacking heavy items on top when loading.

Baseball cards, stamps and documents

These types of items are typically in a frame or album, which should be wrapped in packing paper and placed in a moving box that’s been padded with crumpled packing paper. If items are loose, place them in an album with acid-free pages to protect them. Fill any extra space in the box with additional paper, and place more paper on top to ensure nothing shifts during transit.
For framed items, use a picture or mirror box, or wrap it well in Bubble Wrap. Loose posters can be placed in poster tubes, then packed into boxes.

1. Use quality materials. Professional supplies will provide better protection for your items, but they don’t have to cost a lot of money.
2. Prepare boxes. Reinforce the bottom of every box with tape, then line with crushed packing paper for extra cushion.
3. Use plastic wrap and trash bags to prevent spills. If you’ll be putting bottles of liquids like cleaning supplies or bath products in a box, line it with a trash bag. Then use a piece of plastic wrap under the cap to seal each bottle before you pack it.
4. Learn how to use supplies. Read these posts about packing paper, plastic wrap and paper padding, so you’re prepared to use them.
5. Create a packing basket. Put tape, box labels, markers, scissors, and other supplies in a basket so you can easily carry them from room to room. Make a few if multiple people are working at the same time!
6. Designate an area for packed items. Clear out space in a non-essential room so you can stack full boxes in there. This will let you get started early without creating a lot of clutter around the house.
7. Know what you can’t move. Many companies aren’t able to transport certain items. Get rid of (or make another plan for) items on the Do Not Ship list.
8. Decide what to move. Go through your belongings and get rid of anything you won’t need or want in the new home.
9. Keep valuables separate. Consider taking important documents, expensive electronics and other valuable items with you instead of putting them in the moving equipment.
10. Make an “open first” box. Put together one or two boxes of things you’ll need during your first night/day in the new house. Include basic toiletries, towels, a few kitchen items, blankets, etc.
11. Check outdoor items for insects. Some areas of the U.S. and Canada have invasive pest restrictions and require you to inspect outdoor items before moving them.
12. Put heavy items in small boxes. Overweight boxes can be difficult to move. Using a smaller box will keep you from putting too many heavy pieces inside.
13. Use all available space. Take advantage of drawers by filling them with unbreakable items (towels, sheets, etc.), and pack boxes completely, so you aren’t moving empty space.
14. Keep similar items together. Take the extra time to sort things by where they’ll be stored in the new home. Doing this now will help you stay organized later!
15. Label everything. Label each box with its corresponding room so move-in day goes smoother. Mark it on multiple sides so it can be seen no matter how it’s picked up during the unloading process.
16. Consider using a number system. Number each box and make an inventory of what’s inside so you can easily find things when you need them.
17. Take pictures. Before unhooking cords or taking furniture apart, take a picture of how it’s set up. This way you’ll be able to put everything back together faster.
18. Put hardware in bags. If you remove any screws or other small pieces, put them in a plastic bag, so they don’t get lost. It’s also a good idea to tape the bag to the item to keep it all together.
19. Put string under tape when sealing boxes. Cut a piece of wool string that’s a little longer than the box opening, place it on the seam, and tape over it. You’ll be able to pull the string to remove the tape instead of having to cut it open!
20. Hire professionals for specialty items. Things like pianos, safes and valuable art require special handling and care. Consider hiring professionals who have experience working with these items.