Antiques are more than an attractive addition to our homes. They connect us to our heritage and are often passed down through generations, making them nearly impossible to replace. But while keeping heirlooms and collectibles safe in your house is relatively simple, shipping them long distances is another matter. In this short guide on how to move antiques, we’ll share practical tips and packing strategies to help ensure your valuables arrive safely at their new location.
Antiques are inherently fragile due to their age, materials, and construction. In most cases, they’re handcrafted from delicate fabrics, metals, ceramics, glasswork, and hardwoods that don’t respond well to impacts or changes in their environment, making them particularly vulnerable to:
For these reasons, many homeowners decide to hire a professional moving company rather than ship their antiques on their own. Professional movers are not only familiar with safe packing techniques, but also offer a wide range of packing services, such as custom crating, designed to protect delicate and valuable items. However, with proper care and techniques, it is possible to move your belongings without professional assistance.
The first step, even before you start organizing your antiques, is to get them appraised. Whether you’re hiring professionals or shipping them yourself, you need to understand the true value of your goods in order to be fully compensated in case damage occurs in transit. All movers are required to provide basic coverage for your belongings, but this type of protection is only based on weight. If the worst occurs, owners are only entitled to sixty cents per pound per article.
Purchasing full valuation ensures you’re compensated completely for any damage but requires movers to know exactly how much your belongings are worth. You can also purchase a policy from a third-party provider. They’re available to people working with a moving company and those handling the job on their own, but also require a professional assessment. If you're not familiar with the appraisers near you, you can do a search for appraisers in your area or contact the American Society of Appraisers for a recommendation.
To save money, many homeowners choose to pack their belongings themselves and hire movers to transport them. In this situation, you’ll need to provide your movers with a full list of your belongings, including your most valuable ones. Go through your home and write down every antique you plan to load onto the moving truck. Include a brief description and take pictures from several angles documenting its condition. Focus on carvings, joints, corners, and other sensitive features, as well as any existing marks or imperfections. Once you’re finished, make a copy for your moving company and keep one for yourself.
If you’re moving long distance, you’ll want to schedule an in-person or video walkthrough of your home, to give your movers an accurate picture of the size and weight of your possessions. Make sure to point out any antiques, so they know what type of equipment and supplies they’ll need to handle them safely (dollies, straps, custom padding, etc.).
Moving antiques requires a mix of ordinary and specialized packing materials. Depending on the types of items you own, you’ll need:
You’ll also need professional moving boxes. Unlike regular banker’s boxes, professional-grade boxes are double-walled to resist impacts and tearing. They also come in specialized configurations to protect delicate objects. These include boxes for mirrors, artwork, fine China, crystal drinkware, and vinyl records. There are also front-drop boxes for rare books and wardrobe boxes for vintage clothing.
Dealers and curators have specific guidelines they’re required to follow when packing antiques. To protect treasured possessions, they recommend:
While this three-layer technique is suitable for most antiques and heirlooms, there are some items that require specific safeguards. These include:
Because it’s safer and easier to move furniture in pieces rather than as a single unit, disassemble your furniture before you start packing. This includes legs, armrests, and drawers. If drawers can be removed, hold them in place with rubber straps instead of packing tape. The adhesives in tape can damage the finish. If you’re worried about scuff marks, place foam or acid-free packing paper underneath the straps.
Small pieces should be triple-wrapped and double-boxed, as described above. Large pieces of furniture should be wrapped in moving blankets, using corner protectors and foam pads to cushion joints and other sensitive areas.
To ensure stability, strap large items like tables, dressers, and wardrobes to the furniture dolly before wheeling them out to the truck. Use foam pads to prevent the straps from digging into your furniture, same as you did with the rubber straps mentioned above.
Professional movers understand how to secure furniture, but if you’re transporting everything yourself, place them along the sides of the track, as close to the front axle as possible, to minimize the effect of bumps and vibrations. Use the ratchet straps to secure it to the side of the van, using sideboards or D-rings for anchor points, to keep it from shifting during the journey to your new home.
Plates and glasses should be put into a kitchen box kit, with separate cells for each item. Porcelain, ceramics, and crystal objects like vases, chinaware, and centerpieces should be triple-wrapped and double-boxed.
Vases should be filled with packing paper before being boxed up, for additional shock absorption. Do your best to match the size of the box to the size of the item and use foam or packing peanuts to fill in the empty spaces. Experts normally recommend one item per box unless there is a built-in divider to keep them from bumping into one another. However, if you need to include more than one, make sure they’re wrapped in packing tape and bubble wrap to prevent damage.
Finally, seal each box with two strips of packing tape long enough to reach halfway up or down the side ‒ to provide a strong anchor. Write “FRAGILE” in large letters on each side of the box, along with “THIS SIDE UP” to ensure proper care.
Mirrors should be packed in a telescoping box, which can be raised or lowered to ensure a snug fit. Before boxing up a mirror, make an “X” with two long strips of tape across the glass to help minimize the risk of cracking. Place corner protectors on the frame to protect it and once you have the mirror inside the box, fill the empty space with foam, packing paper, or packing peanuts.
To seal the exposed joint between the top and bottom halves, wrap the exposed joint with packing tape. To ensure a strong, tight hold, make sure you use enough to go around the entire box twice.
For paintings, use a telescoping box and corner protectors, like you were packing a mirror. However, instead of taping the front of the canvas, cover it with a foam pad. Then fill the box with paper or packing peanuts before sealing the joint between the lid and the base.
If you have a collection, box each item in its original packaging if you can. Because they’re designed specifically for the unique shape of each object, they offer the best protection. If you no longer have the original packaging, wrap your belongings in soft tissue paper and place them in a box filled with foam or packing peanuts. For some products, like vinyl records, you can purchase boxes specifically designed to secure and transport them.
If you can’t find any special containers, place your items in their own individual boxes. Fragile objects, like figurines, should be double boxed. After taping their seams, label each box “FRAGILE” on all sides and “THIS END UP” to make sure they receive extra care.
Large, complex objects such as pianos, grandfather clocks, and large sculptures require special handling, expertise, and tools beyond what’s required to prepare standard household goods. While it’s possible to manage these items on your own, most experts recommend hiring professionals to ensure your valuables are handled properly.
Moving antiques takes time and care, so plan accordingly. Start early, at least a few weeks before your moving date, so you can give each item the attention it deserves. Rushing often leads to mistakes that could increase the risk of damage.
Professional movers understand how to organize boxes in moving trucks. However, if you’re transporting your belongings on your own, make sure you never place items on top of antique furniture and stack boxes carefully. You don’t want them shifting, but you don’t want to add any unnecessary pressure either. Always place them on top of heavier boxes and use towels, blankets, or foam inserts to keep them in place.
Once you arrive at your new home, inspect each item thoroughly as you unpack it. If you notice any damage, take pictures and contact your movers or insurance company. Many policies have a window for filing claims, so double check your agreement to make sure your application and documentation is submitted on time.
Whether it’s furniture, heirlooms, or sculptures, Allied treats your valuables with the respect they deserve. Our moving teams are equipped with the tools and expertise to handle all types of household goods, including ones that require extra care and protection. With the right techniques, supplies, and preparation, we can ship even the most difficult items safely to your new home. Contact us today to request a free quote for a safe, secure, and hassle-free move.
