How to Pack Fragile Items and Artwork for a Move

Most moving damage does not happen on the freeway. It happens in the kitchen, the hallway and the back of the truck, when a plate is wrapped too thin, a box is packed too loose, or a framed print is laid flat under something heavy. This guide walks you through how to pack dishes, glassware, mirrors, framed art, lamps and other breakables, room by room, and explains which parts our crew can handle for you on moving day in Los Angeles.

Start With a Plan, Not a Roll of Tape

Before you wrap anything, walk through your home and make a short list of what is truly fragile or valuable. Group items into three categories:

• Everyday fragile items. Plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, vases and small decor.
• Flat and framed pieces. Mirrors, framed art, canvases, glass shelves and table tops.
• Special items. Antiques, heirlooms, collections, large sculptures and anything you could not replace.

Take a few photos of the special items, and of how your art is hung. Photos help you check condition after the move and make it easy to rehang everything in the new home. If you are getting a quote, include those photos so we can plan the crew and time.

Gather the Right Packing Materials

Good materials matter more than the number of boxes. For fragile items you will want:

• Sturdy boxes in small and medium sizes (heavy dishes go in smaller boxes, so no box becomes too heavy to carry safely)
• Plenty of packing paper, which is clean and easy to crumple into padding
• Bubble wrap for the most delicate pieces
• Packing tape and a marker
• Moving blankets, shrink wrap and tape for furniture, mirrors and large framed pieces

When Ursa Moving packs for you, the crew brings shrink wrap, tape and moving blankets, and they are included in our hourly rate.

How to Pack Dishes and Plates

1. Prepare the box. Tape the bottom with several strips and add a layer of crumpled paper as a cushion.
2. Wrap each plate on its own. Place a plate in the center of a few sheets of paper, fold the corners over, then stack the next plate on top and repeat. Bundle three or four wrapped plates together with another layer of paper.
3. Stand plates on edge. Place the bundles vertically in the box, like records in a crate. Plates are much stronger on their edge than lying flat.
4. Fill every gap. Push crumpled paper into the empty spaces so nothing can shift. Add a top layer of paper before closing.
5. Do the shake test. Gently lift and tilt the box. If you hear movement, add more padding.

How to Pack Glasses, Stemware and Mugs

• Stuff the inside of each glass with a little paper, then wrap the outside completely.
• For stemware, wrap the stem first with a small piece of paper or bubble wrap, then wrap the whole glass.
• Pack glasses upright, never on their side, with the heaviest items at the bottom of the box.
• Use cardboard dividers if you have them, or a layer of paper between each row.

How to Pack Mirrors and Framed Artwork

Flat glass and framed art are among the easiest things to damage, because pressure on one point can crack the glass or puncture a canvas. Here is how to protect them:

1. Protect the surface. Put an "X" of painter's tape across glass to help hold it together if it cracks. Do not put tape directly on a canvas or a painted surface. Cover it with clean paper instead.
2. Protect the corners. Corners take the most hits. Add cardboard corner protectors or folded cardboard.
3. Wrap the whole piece. Wrap it in a moving blanket and secure the blanket with shrink wrap and tape so it cannot slide off.
4. Carry and store on edge. Framed art and mirrors should always stand upright, never lie flat, and never be stacked face to face with other items.
5. Label clearly. Write "FRAGILE – GLASS" and "THIS SIDE UP" on the wrap, and note which room it belongs in.

Our crew wraps art and mirrors in blankets and shrink wrap, carries them upright, and loads them standing against a stable surface in the truck, strapped in place. For more on high-value pieces, read our guide to white-glove moving in Los Angeles.

How to Pack Lamps, Vases and Decor

• Lamps. Remove the bulb and shade. Pack shades by themselves in a box with soft padding, and never put anything heavy on top of them. Wrap the lamp base in paper or bubble wrap.
• Vases and sculptures. Fill hollow items with crumpled paper, then wrap them fully. Tall pieces should stand upright with padding on all sides.

How to Label Boxes With Fragile Items

Write FRAGILE on at least two sides and the top, add arrows showing which side is up, and note the room and contents, for example "Kitchen – wine glasses." Keep fragile boxes together, so the crew can load them on top of heavier boxes.

Let the Crew Do the Packing

Packing fragile items yourself takes time and patience. If you would rather not, Ursa Moving includes packing and unpacking in our hourly rate. Our crews also handle furniture disassembly and reassembly, and they bring shrink wrap and tape, moving blankets, wardrobe boxes for use, dollies, straps and tools. Long walks from the door to the truck are included too.

Here are our hourly rates for both packages, each including a truck:

If your home has a lot of art and fragile pieces, our Premium Move adds more extensive wrapping and padding and extra care for art and fragile items. Larger crews work with a 26 ft truck. A 5-mover crew and piano moves are available on request in advance. To see what else affects the total time of a move, read how much movers cost in Los Angeles.

Planning Around LA Buildings and Hillside Homes

Fragile items are safest when the path from your door to the truck is short and clear. A few Los Angeles details make a real difference:

• Apartment and condo buildings. Many buildings need a certificate of insurance (COI) and an elevator reservation. We provide COIs for buildings and HOAs. See our guide to COIs, elevators and building rules, especially if you live in Downtown LA or Santa Monica.
• Hillside homes and narrow roads. Where a full-size truck cannot reach the door, we can use a pickup truck with a small trailer to shuttle items safely. This is common in neighborhoods like Bel Air and parts of Beverly Hills.
• Timing. We are open every day from 7am to 9pm, so you can pick a time when the building is quiet and the hallways are clear.

Fragile Packing Checklist

1. List fragile, valuable and oversized items, and take photos.
2. Gather small boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and tape.
3. Wrap every item separately and fill every gap.
4. Stand plates, mirrors and framed art on edge.
5. Label boxes FRAGILE with arrows and room names.
6. Keep jewelry, documents, medications and heirlooms with you in your car.
7. Tell your movers about art, antiques and other special items when you request a quote.

Get a free quote for your move or call us at (213) 292-7675. Ursa Moving is licensed and insured and rated 4.8 stars on Yelp from 204 reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to pack fragile items for moving?

Wrap each item separately in packing paper or bubble wrap, use small sturdy boxes, fill every empty space with crumpled paper and label the box FRAGILE with arrows showing which side is up. Plates and framed art travel best standing on edge.

Can your movers pack my fragile items for me?

Yes. Packing and unpacking are included in our hourly rate, and the crew brings shrink wrap, tape and moving blankets.

How do you protect framed art and mirrors?

Our crew wraps them in moving blankets secured with shrink wrap and tape, carries them upright and loads them standing in the truck, strapped in place.

Should I pack plates flat or on edge?

On edge. Wrapped plates standing vertically in a well-padded box are much less likely to break than plates stacked flat.

What should I not put in the moving truck?

Keep jewelry, cash, important documents, medications, small heirlooms and devices with personal data with you in your own car.

Do you move pianos and very large art pieces?

Piano moves are available on request in advance. For very large or very valuable art, mention it and send photos when you ask for a quote, so we can plan the crew and equipment.