Guide to Packing a Dining Room

Packing a dining room takes care and attention to detail, since so many fragile items are involved. That’s why we offer special dish-pack moving cartons and cellular dividers for stemware.

Since stemware, china and other fine dining items are often valuable, you should consider including them on your “High Value Inventory” form -- this is for any items whose value exceeds $100 per pound. Learn more about protecting valuables during a move.

Glassware and China

Get ready to use a lot of paper! Each piece should be wrapped individually in several layers of clean newsprint. Start from the corner and wrap diagonally while tucking in overlapping edges. Pack them in moving cartons with plenty of padding and cushioning, and label the box with “FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP” and the room and contents.

Flat China and Glassware

Start by lining the bottom of your moving carton with padding. Start with larger china and glass plates and platters as the lowest layer: Wrap each piece in one layer of clean paper and then bundle up to three pieces together with a double layer of newsprint paper on the outside.

As you work your way up using gradually smaller items, be sure to surround the stacked bundles of dishes and platters with wadded up paper to protect the rims. It’s also a good idea to include a 2-3 inch layer of wadded paper between layers, and horizontal cardboard dividers can also help keep layers level while adding stability.

Packing Fine Jewelry for a Move

Ideally, your fine jewelry and similar small valuables should not be packed for the truck -- they should remain in your possession during the move. If you’re uncomfortable carrying a large quantity of valuables or collectibles, you can hire a third-party armored vehicle service to transport them.

Cups and Mugs

A cellular divider makes packing cups and mugs much easier. If you don’t have cellular dividers, wrap each cup individually in a double layer of paper, placing them rim-down on an upper layer of a dish carton with all the handles facing the same way. China cups should be wrapped in paper even when you’re using cellular dividers, and you should wrap the handles with a separate layer of clean paper before adding them to the carton upside down.

Moving Silver Pieces and Flatware

Silver pieces can tarnish during a move, so start by wrapping them in plastic wrap or newsprint. Even if your sterling flatware is in a chest, it’s still a good idea to individually wrap pieces and save yourself some polishing! Then fill empty spaces in the chest with wadded paper so everything stays in place. Wrap the chest itself in a large bath towel. Loose flatware or serving pieces can be wrapped in plastic and placed in a small container, such as a gift box, that is placed in a larger container.

Silver hollow ware pieces such as bowls, gravy boats, tea sets and the like should be wrapped and packed like fragile items, similar to china.

Moving Figurines and Curio Cabinet Items

Protect the delicate items in your curio cabinet by wrapping each one first in tissue paper or paper towels, then in newsprint or other paper that has been crumpled up and then flattened again. Wrap small framed photos, mirrors and plaques in tissue paper and then a second layer of newsprint. Flat items should be placed on their edges in a carton. Use a small throw blanket or bath towel as padding for glass items.

What About Moving Very Fragile Items?

Your Relocation Consultant can advise you on how to pack unusually fragile items. If a particular item is high value as well as extremely delicate, you might want to consider having it packed for you -- and it should be listed on your “High Value Inventory” form, along with any other items whose value exceeds $100 per pound.

Packing Lamp Bases

Start by removing the light bulb and lamp harp -- the wire frame that holds the bulb. Then wrap the harp, base and bulb individually in newsprint. Pack these items together in the same moving carton, and fill the empty spaces with crumpled paper.

Packing Lamp Shades

Lamp shades are tricky because they are delicate and often large. Wrap each lamp shade in 3-4 pieces of tissue paper -- not newsprint, which could stain the lamp shade. A pillowcase or large, lightweight towel can also do the trick. Then pack the shades in a sturdy moving carton, with smaller shades nested inside larger ones as long as they don’t touch each other, but silk lamp shades should be packed one to a carton to keep from stretching the silk.

No matter how many shades are in a carton, don’t pack other items along with them! Label the carton “LAMP SHADES - FRAGILE - TOP LOAD ONLY.”

Moving Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Lamp Shades

This extremely delicate job is best left to the experts, so have your moving professional crate your chandeliers or large, glass lamp shades.

Moving Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Glass Table Tops, Statues, Paintings and Large Vases

All of these very different items are in their own category because they need very specific packing materials and techniques! Consult with your Relocation Consultant about whether you might need to order custom-made cartons for these items. Remember not to allow paper to touch the surface of your oil paintings.

Packing Table Leaves

Large and awkwardly-shaped, table leaves can easily get scratched or damaged in a move. Wrap table leaves in paper pads, and tape them closed (never attach tape directly to the wood). Plastic wrap shouldn’t be used, as moisture can get trapped inside and damage the wood.

Packing Curtains and Draperies

Your drapery is best packed in wardrobe boxes, where they can be hung on a padded hanger to minimize wrinkling. Curtains and drapes can also be folded and packed in regular moving boxes that have been lined with plastic wrap or clean paper.

Moving Area Rugs

You can leave area rugs where they are on the floor and let your movers handle them, but you might want to have them professionally cleaned before the move -- that way they’ll be rolled and wrapped, ready for the moving van. And if you do some of the loading yourself, keep in mind that area rugs should be loaded last so they can be unloaded first and be ready for furniture to go on top.

Moving Dining Room Furniture

Your professional packing crew will use shrink wrap on large, upholstered pieces of furniture. However, you still need to be involved. Ask your moving or packing crew about how to handle leather items, and if table corners will be protected with cardboard. Cushions such as couch pillows can be packed in large boxes.

Moving your dining room furniture, curios, china, stemware, glassware and flatware can be a big job with much potential for damage. Use these tips and minimize the risk.