How to Pack Fragile Items Like a Professional Mover
After packing thousands of UK kitchens we've learned exactly what breaks — and what saves it. This is the professional method, simplified.
Key takeaways
- Use packing paper, NOT newspaper (ink leaches onto ceramics and glassware).
- Double-box antiques, electronics and chandeliers — inner box, 5cm cushioning, outer box.
- Plates pack vertically like records, never flat-stacked.
- TVs without original boxes must be packed in rigid flat-screen cartons with foam corners.
The Professional Packing Kit (What You Actually Need)
Most accidents happen not because of the wrap but because of the box: a cheap single-wall carton bulges, collapses under its stack-mate, and crushes its contents. Always buy double-wall from a removals supplier — not Amazon.
- ›Double-wall cardboard boxes in two sizes: Small (book box, 45cm) and Medium (tea-chest, 60cm). NEVER large boxes for fragiles.
- ›Plain white packing paper — 10–15kg for a 2-bed house
- ›Bubble wrap: small-bubble for glassware, large-bubble for mirrors and TVs
- ›Strong clear packing tape (50m+ roll, 48mm wide) and a tape gun
- ›Permanent marker for labelling (red for fragile)
- ›Stretch wrap for drawers and sofas
Glassware & Stemware: The Cone Method
Lay a sheet of packing paper flat. Place a wine glass diagonally in the corner. Roll the glass one full turn into the paper, fold both sides inwards, then continue rolling tightly to the opposite corner. The stem should be completely invisible — just a paper cone.
Pack stems DOWN, rims UP in the top half of a book box with 3cm of crumpled paper cushioning the base. Fill every gap so nothing can shift. When you shake the closed box gently, nothing should rattle.
Plates & Crockery: Vertical, Not Flat
Wrap each plate individually in paper, building a stack of 4–6 wrapped plates. Tape the stack lightly so it holds shape. Now place the stack VERTICALLY in the box — the way records sit on a shelf. This distributes the weight of adjacent stacks across the plate edges (very strong) rather than flat faces (fragile).
Always cushion the bottom of the box with 3cm of crumpled paper, and fill the top with the same. If you hear rattling when you shake it, keep adding paper until it's silent.
Mirrors, Pictures & Artwork
For any mirror or picture with glass, the rule is: tape an X across the glass with low-tack painter's tape BEFORE wrapping. If the glass breaks in transit, the tape holds the shards together instead of shredding the artwork behind.
Wrap in bubble wrap (large-bubble side inwards), then cardboard corners, then a rigid picture-pack box. Never stack mirrors flat — they should travel vertical, perpendicular to the van's direction of travel, so sudden braking does not shear the glass.
Flat-Screen TVs, Monitors & Electronics
If you still have the original box, use it — manufacturer packaging is engineered for shipping. If not, buy a specialist TV carton (we carry these for 32"–85" screens).
Wrap the screen in a soft moving blanket first, THEN bubble wrap, THEN the carton. Foam corners are non-negotiable on screens over 43". Photograph the back panel connections before unplugging so you can reassemble in under 5 minutes at the new house.
When to Stop DIY and Call a Pro
Stop and hire a professional packer if your inventory includes: a piano, a chandelier, artwork over £500, antique clocks with pendulums, a grandfather clock, marble table tops, a pool table, or a gun safe. Professional packers carry specialist crates and the liability insurance to replace these items if the worst happens.
HomeGo packing is charged from £180 per room for a "light pack" (crockery + glassware only) up to £95 per hour per packer for a full home. Full packing typically saves clients 10–15 hours per bedroom.
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Insurance up to £50,000 included · No cancellation fees · Free dismantling & reassembly
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need for a 3-bed house?+
Typical UK 3-bed house: 55–75 medium tea-chest boxes, 15–20 small book boxes, 6–10 wardrobe boxes, 4–6 picture-packs. Always over-order by 15% — unused boxes are refundable with most suppliers.
Is bubble wrap really necessary?+
For glass, electronics and ceramics — yes. For clothes, bedding and books, packing paper plus the items themselves provide enough cushioning.
Can I use duvets and pillows as padding?+
Yes — this is what pros do. Wrap a lamp or vase in a duvet, put it in a box, fill around it with pillows. Saves money on bubble wrap and packs the duvet at the same time.
Every HomeGo packer is trained to professional UK removals Health & Safety standards. We've packed everything from IKEA glassware to Chihuly chandeliers.
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