8 Tips for Moving Your Valuable Antiques and Cherished Collectibles

Are you considering a household move soon? Making sure your belongings arrive in one piece is extremely important during the moving process, especially your valuable antiques and collectibles, which might be irreplaceable.

How well your antiques and collectibles stay protected during the move depends on what you do before and on moving day. Preparation and additional layers of protection can reduce breakage, nicks, dents, scrapes, and broken glass.

Don’t forget these steps when you’re getting ready to move.

1. Document and Appraise Valuables and Antiques

Make sure you have your valuables appraised before you move your household. In addition to knowing what you’re working with, you may need the appraisal for insurance purposes if something goes wrong.

Take photos of all valuables from all angles to keep a record. Then, during the move, keep the appraisal documentation in a safe place with you.

2. Ensure You Protect Them

The first step in protecting your antiques and collectibles is to apply a protective layer.

Glassine is a wax-like paper that protects glass items from dust, moisture, and other potentially damaging elements. Plus, it is acid-free. Another versatile cushioning option is bubble wrap. 

Secure each antique piece with a protective layer and tape it in place. Don’t directly apply tape to valuables.

3. Protect the Corners

Corners tend to sustain more damage, so use corner protectors if packing artwork, antique picture frames, or similar pieces. Corner protectors come in various materials, including cardboard and plastic. 

4. Add a Cushioning Layer

As packed items shift in transit, adding a cushioning layer creates a protective barrier. Use additional bubble wrap, crumpled packing paper, packing peanuts, or air-filled plastic pouches, for extra cushion. Ensure your box or other packaging has a cushioning layer surrounding the inside item.

5. Place in a Packing Carton

Boxes provide additional protection for small antiques to fit inside them. Make sure the carton you choose is a little bigger than the item so you can stuff it with cushioning. Ensure that your item doesn’t shift by filling in any extra spaces.

Organize smaller items together in boxes, but pair items wisely. For example, a heavy ceramic figurine packed with a delicate picture frame might break the glass or damage the frame—pack pieces tightly together with plenty of filler material to prevent damage.

6. Protect Your Furniture

When disassembling furniture, be cautious about removing parts that might damage or weaken the furniture. Knobs, drawer pulls, and casters are usually safe to remove. However, be careful when disassembling older pieces.

Plastic wrapping materials should not be in direct contact with furniture, especially wood, as they may retain moisture. However, furniture pads or moving blankets work well for wrapping furniture. 

7. Carefully Move Items

Enlist extra help if you’re loading the moving truck yourself. For example, moving heavier, more substantial pieces with dollies is easier to minimize the chances of dropping them.

To prevent damaged antique furniture, ensure you store them in a safe location within the truck where other items cannot fall on top or knock into them.

8. Entrust Pro Movers

If you have precious antiques, consider hiring professional movers to manage the work. They can custom crate your items and move them with care. 

Safe Move

You can safely move your antiques to your new home when properly packaged and handled. Let us help. Contact us for a free quote.