Moving from one house to another means you must pack and transport many of your most delicate belongings. For instance, antique furniture is particularly vulnerable to damage during the process. The packing tips below will help you keep treasured items safe.

How to Pack Antique Furniture

1. Have Items Appraised

First, have your antiques appraised for value. Doing so informs you of the value of each of your items and how much care you should take with them. Particularly valuable items may need more layers of protective wrapping and extra hands to carry it safely. An appraisal also provides proof of an antique’s value for insurance purposes.

2. Avoid Disassembly

In many instances—such as with large dining tables or heavy cabinets—you may be tempted to take doors, legs, or other parts off the piece to make it easier to carry or transport.

Modern furniture allows this with the removal of a few nuts and bolts, but resist the temptation to disassemble antique pieces. They are often fragile and are not meant to be taken apart. Instead, wrap these pieces in protective cloth before moving, make sure you have enough movers to handle the weight, and take out any components, like drawers, you can remove without disassembly.

3. Keep Multiple Packing Materials on Hand

You'll need a variety of packing materials to wrap antiques. Use thick moving blankets to protect heavy pieces. Wrap delicate items in air-filled plastic wrap. Secure the plastic and blankets against the piece with packing tape so they don't come loose during transport.

Wrap smaller items in layers of packing paper and place them in boxes filled with Styrofoam® peanuts. If any items will be left in storage, cover them in stretchy plastic film to guard against moisture.

If you’re moving and need experienced professionals to handle your antiques, contact Nebraskaland Moving in Lincoln, NE. This residential moving company has served Lancaster County since 1981. They guarantee four-day delivery to any location in the country and can even help with international moves. They specialize in interstate moving and offer packing services. Learn more about them from their website, or call (402) 466-8169 for a consultation.