Tips for Packing and Moving Antiques

Packing up your valuables can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re dealing with irreplaceable antiques. A bumpy ride in the moving truck could be all it takes to damage an older item that isn’t properly packed up. It’s important to take the right steps when you’re moving antiques from one home to another and to properly plan so that you have exactly what you need. If you’re concerned about how to safely pack up your antiques for transport to your new home you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll cover the basics of moving antiques, including how to box them up so that they arrive in one piece.

What you’ll need

Gather your supplies early so that when the time comes to pack your antiques you have everything on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Packing paper or packing peanuts
  • Air-filled plastic wrap
  • Glassine (similar to standard plastic wrap but resistant to air, water, and grease. You can buy it by the roll at most craft stores)
  • Packing tape
  • Corner protectors for art and mirrors
  • Boxes, including specialty boxes as need
  • Moving blankets
  • Furniture pads

Before you start

There are a few things you’ll want to do before you start wrapping and packing your antiques.

Take an inventory. If you’re moving antiques and have more than just a couple of valuable items, it may be helpful for you to take an inventory of all of your items and their current condition. This will come in handy for noting each item’s safe arrival at your new home and for assessing whether any damage was done in transit.

Get an appraisal. You probably don’t have to worry about getting this done before a move if you’re taking on the job yourself (though in general it’s a good idea to get an appraisal of any valuable belongings that you have). But if you’re working with a professional moving company you’ll want to know the precise value of your antiques so that you can relay the information during your initial inventory call and later on if you need to make any claims.

Check your homeowners insurance policy. Some will cover your antiques during a move. If you’re not sure if yours does, check your policy or call an agent to find out. While your homeowners insurance won’t be able to replace the item itself if it gets broken, at least you know you’ll be financially compensated.

Clean each item. Before packing up each of your antiques, safely clean them to ensure that they arrive in the best condition possible. Keep a clean and soft microfiber cloth with you as you pack to gently remove any dust or debris that has accumulated on each item since the last time they were cleaned. Don’t use any chemical-based products, especially on wood and/or items that are going to go into storage. When wrapped up with no room to breathe, the chemicals can dampen and damage your antiques.

How to pack antiques

Moving antiques the right way starts with properly packing them. Follow the steps below to make sure everything arrives in good condition.

Packing artwork, mirrors, and smaller antiques

Step one: Assess your box situation and figure out what size or type of box each of your antiques will be packed in. In general, you want to go with the smallest box you can so that there is minimal room for items to shift around. Some items, such as paintings and mirrors, should be packed in specialty boxes. Others may benefit from dividers in the box, such as those you use to pack up your water glasses.

Step two: Wrap all glass items in a layer of Glassine. Glassine is a type of barrier paper with a wax-like finish that keeps items from getting smudged or stained. This Glassine layer is especially necessary for anything with print or paint on it. Wrap the Glassine tightly around each glass, porcelain, and ceramic item and secure it with packing tape.

Step three: Secure corners with corner protectors. Make sure to pay special attention to the corners of your framed artwork and mirrors. Due to their shape, corners are prone to nicks and scratches during moves, so it’s important to add an extra layer of protection. Corner protectors are available in plastic, styrofoam, and cardboard. If you’re up for it, you can also make your own.

Step four: Add some cushioning. Use air-filled plastic wrap to create a soft cushion around each item. For maximum protection, wrap the air-filled plastic wrap around the item at least twice, making sure to cover all sides of the item as well as the top and the bottom. Secure with packing tape.

Step five: Box everything up. Depending on an item’s size and shape you may want to pack it on its own in a box. Other items may do okay packed up with other antiques, provided they are well protected with air-filled plastic wrap. Regardless of whether an item is on its own or with others, use balled-up packing paper or packing peanuts to fill in any gaps in the box so that items won’t move around.

Packing antique furniture

Step one: Disassemble what you can. Any large antique furniture should be disassembled if possible for safer packing and easier transit. Of course, don’t disassemble anything that isn’t fit for it or is too old to handle being taken apart and put back together. On all pieces, try to see if you can at least remove small items such as drawer pulls and casters and pack them up separately.

Step two: Securely wrap each item in moving blankets or furniture pads. It’s important not to put plastic wrap directly on old furniture, especially wood furniture, because it can trap moisture and lead to damage. This includes using tape to keep drawers closed (use twine instead). Use moving blankets or furniture pads instead as your first layer to create a barrier between the furniture and additional plastic padding.

Step three: Now do a layer of air-filled plastic wrap. After you have an initial layer of protection on your furniture you can use plastic-based packing materials. Pay special attention to corners, and be sure to wrap all surfaces of your antique furniture and secure with packing tape. You’ll likely need to use quite a bit of air-filled plastic wrap, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Moving antiques safely

Once your antiques are correctly packed up, your next task will be making sure they get transported as safely as possible. Make sure your movers know exactly what wrapped item are antiques and what boxes contain antiques. You may even want to move the boxes with antiques yourself, so that they don’t end up crowded or with boxes stacked on top of them.

If you’re doing a DIY move, do your best to isolate your antiques so they have less chance of falling over or getting otherwise damaged by other items. Store all artwork and mirrors upright, and never stack anything on top of your well-protected antique furniture. Use dollies to transport anything heavy from your house to the truck, and consider using extra moving blankets once items are in the truck to provide further protection.

If you’re at all worried about moving your antiques, your best bet is probably to work with the pros. When you hire a moving company, make sure to mention your antiques in your initial inventory call. They may have special crates and packing materials they can use to pack them up, plus they’ll know to be extra careful loading and unloading those items from the truck. You can also bring difficult-to-pack antiques to your local mailing store—think UPS or FedEx—and have a professional securely pack them up for you.

Need help finding a moving company to take on the task of moving your antiques? Use Moving.com to easily find reputable movers in your area.