Whoever says that moving isn’t stressful has probably never moved in their entire life. It doesn’t matter how well-organized and prepared you are, when it comes to moving boxes, packing, transporting, and unpacking, we all become a bit crazy and deal with a lot of stress. Whether you’re living alone or your entire family is moving with you, you want to pay special attention to art and delicate furniture you have. We’ve prepared a list of useful tips for packing and transporting such important pieces.
Words: Mike Johnston
Carefully pick boxes
You might be surprised to hear this, but not all boxes are alike. There are specialty boxes made especially for packing delicate china, stemware, and things like antique chandeliers. Make sure there are plenty of boxes in your house for everything to be packed in but try to get them in different sizes. When you deal with mirrors, place masking tape in a starburst pattern and surround them with Styrofoam or old newspapers. In case of an accident, even if mirrors and large glass pieces should break, the tape will keep the glass in one place. 
Tuck everything in
Antique furniture and delicate pieces will survive even the longest trips if you take a few extra minutes and protect them before you load them into the truck. If your furniture has any removable pieces, make sure you remove them first and only then protect and pack them. They should be packed separately (especially if we’re talking about decorative finals) and marked clearly so you can easily find them when you reach your destination. Use shrink wrap and padded moving blankets to protect the most delicate pieces.
Transport with care
Calling professionals to help you move is always a good thing, but when it comes to antique furniture, crystal, art, china, and electronics, you might want to do it yourself. You can rely on Budget truck hire and pick a truck that’s big enough so that all your valuables can fit in. This way, you can pack all of your belongings and valuables exactly the way you want them packed and make sure everything reaches your destination safely.
Get the materials
Fortunately, things such as different types of moving boxes, a few bundles of packing paper, as well as tape can easily be found in any of the home improvement stores and self-storage offices. A few other things you should always have close by when it’s time to start packing: black and red markers (these are easily visible on boxes and stickers), scissors and a razor blade, bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts, and plenty of stretch wrap that’s perfect for cloth furniture such as sofas, settees, and armchairs.
Label each and every box
Be sure to write the word FRAGILE with a red marker on every single box that contains a fragile item. When one cardboard box contains your grandma’s teapot and another your children’s plush toys, you can’t afford to make a mistake. Try to top load the delicate items inside the truck, place large mirrors and artwork between mattresses and box springs, and pack household electronics in the trunk or back seat of a car.
Packing electronics
Speaking of electronics, some of the more expensive pieces you own are probably more delicate than antique furniture. Remember that the best way to safely pack electronics is to place them back into their original boxes and containers (Styrofoam packing included, if possible). If you don’t have the original containers, you can secure the moving parts with stretch plastic and afterwards wrap the item in bubble wrap.
Take your time
“Three moves are as good as one fire,” goes an old saying, and this can mean that frequent moving from one place to another can take as big of a toll on your prized possessions as a house fire. In other words, you don’t have to pack everything in one truck and move it immediately. If possible, try to make a few trips to get everything from one place to another, but if your new home is a long way from your old one, you might want to hire a few trucks and even ask friends and family for help.
Ask for help
Asking for help is a form of art and many people feel like they’re too proud to ask for help with moving. On the other hand, having someone by your side when you’re moving your belongings (especially valuables and delicate pieces) means that both you and your things will be safer. While there are definitely pieces you can move by yourself, always ask for help when it comes to heavy objects and delicate furnishings.
If you start on time, you’ll make your moving experience way less hectic and stressful. While it might not be possible to avoid stress and frustrations completely, you can do something good for yourself and your family and make the moving process as smooth as possible. Be prepared, be calm, and be ready to deal with obstacles you never thought possible. As stressful as it can be, moving is the first step in your new life, and you will soon forget all the mishaps.