How to Pack Extra Fragile Items

Why Fragile Items Need Special Attention

Fragile items are the things that cause the most anxiety during a move — and with good reason. A chipped mug is annoying. A smashed piece of Royal Doulton china, a cracked mirror, or a broken lamp with sentimental value is genuinely upsetting.

In Lesson 3, we covered standard kitchen packing using packing paper and the crumple zone technique. This lesson goes a step further, covering items that need extra layers of protection — high-value china, bottles and liquids, picture frames and mirrors, and lamps. These are the items where a bit more time and care during packing can save real heartache on moving day.

High-Value China and Ceramics

For everyday crockery, packing paper and a well-stuffed box are enough. But for precious items — fine bone china, decorative ceramics, Royal Doulton pieces, or anything with sentimental or financial value — we add extra layers.

Start by lining the box. Before anything goes in, lay a sheet of bubble wrap across the bottom and up the sides. This creates a padded interior so that even the base and edges of the box are cushioned.

Double-wrap each item. First, wrap the piece in bubble wrap — aim for at least two full layers around the entire surface. Then wrap it again in packing paper over the top. The bubble wrap absorbs impact, and the paper prevents items from sliding against each other.

Pack fewer items per box. With standard kitchen items, we try to fill every gap. With high-value pieces, the priority shifts — use more packing material and fewer items. Each piece should sit in its own pocket of cushioning with no contact with anything else in the box. Stuff scrunched packing paper into every remaining gap until there’s absolutely zero movement.

Label it “DOUBLE FRAGILE.” When sealing the box, apply two passes of fragile tape rather than one. At a glance, your removal team can see that this box needs the most careful handling of anything on the van. Of all the boxes to look after, this one gets priority.

Bottles and Liquids

Bottles — whether kitchen oils, sauces, or your drinks collection — need careful packing to avoid breakage and, more importantly, leakage.

Standard bottles: Wrap each bottle individually using the same crumple zone technique as glasses. Scrunch packing paper around them and stand them upright in a box. Before packing, check that the bottles aren’t too tall for the box — if they stick out above the top, the lid won’t close flat and the box can’t be stacked safely.

Expensive wine or spirits: If you have a valuable collection, it’s worth investing in specialist bottle boxes with individual cardboard dividers that separate each bottle in its own cell. These are inexpensive and provide far better protection than a standard box.

Opened bottles with loose caps: This is where leaks happen. If a bottle has already been opened and the cap doesn’t seal tightly, take a small piece of tape and secure it over the top. It won’t make the bottle watertight, but it significantly reduces the chance of liquid escaping during transit.

For any box containing bottles, mark it clearly with “THIS WAY UP” on the top and sides, along with fragile tape. When the box is stacked on the van or placed in storage, the labelling tells everyone handling it to keep it upright. One box turned on its side can leak into everything below it.

Picture Frames and Mirrors

How you pack pictures and mirrors depends on two things: the size of the item and what it’s made of.

Standard wooden or plastic frames that fit inside your small/heavy box can be wrapped in packing paper and packed in with other items. There’s no glass-on-glass risk with wooden frames, so paper provides enough protection against scratching and minor impacts. Pack them vertically in the box (just like plates), stuff the gaps, and label it fragile.

Glass-fronted frames need more protection. Wrap them in bubble wrap first — cut a piece large enough to give you at least two full layers around the frame — then wrap again in packing paper for an extra buffer. The glass edges and corners are the most vulnerable points, so make sure the bubble wrap covers them fully.

Oversized frames and artwork that won’t fit in a standard box can be transported in padded picture bags — specialist carriers with multiple slots designed to hold framed items securely. If you have ornate frames, exposed canvases, or anything particularly valuable, wrap them in bubble wrap before placing them in the picture bag for added security.

Wrapping Mirrors

Mirrors deserve extra care because of their size, weight, and the obvious fragility of the glass surface. For a large mirror:

1. Lay the mirror flat on a clean, soft surface — a bed or sofa works well.
2. Cut a piece of bubble wrap large enough to wrap around the entire mirror at least twice.
3. Wrap it fully, folding the excess at the sides up and over to create extra padding on the corners.
4. Secure each corner individually with tape — fold the bubble wrap up around the corner to create a buffer, then tape it in place. Corners are the most likely point of impact during transport, so this step matters.
5. Once fully wrapped, the mirror goes into a padded picture bag or is carried separately by the removal team.

If a mirror or piece of artwork is particularly valuable — antique, irreplaceable, or simply very expensive — let your removal company know in advance so they can plan the best way to transport it.

Lampshades and Lamp Bases

Lamps are awkward because they combine two very different problems: a heavy, often fragile base and a delicate, easily crushed shade. The solution is simple — separate them.

Lamp shades: Remove every shade and place them directly into a large box. Don’t wrap them — they’re too delicate and wrapping creates pressure points that can dent or distort the fabric. Instead, nest smaller shades inside larger ones if possible, and fill gaps gently with scrunched tissue paper or packing paper.

Label this box “TOP BOX” — meaning it goes on the very top of a stack, with nothing placed on it. Better yet, leave the box open so everyone can see what’s inside and knows not to stack anything on top. These items can’t take any weight.

Lamp bases: Ceramic or porcelain bases should be wrapped in bubble wrap and packed into their own box, separate from the shades. Standard metal or wooden bases can go straight into a box without additional wrapping.

Don’t forget the bulbs. Remove light bulbs before packing and wrap them separately or discard them. They’re cheap to replace and fragile enough to shatter inside a packed box.

Cable Management

Trailing cables are a common problem — not just with lamps, but with any electrical appliance. A loose cable dangling from a standard lamp becomes a trip hazard during the move, and inside a box, it can snag on other items and cause damage.

The fix is simple: loop the cable neatly in your hand and secure it with a single piece of tape. This takes five seconds and prevents cables from catching on door frames, tangling with other items, or pulling a lamp off the van’s shelf during transit.

Pro Tip from Jay

“With really precious items, I always say: if you'd be upset to see it broken, give it twice the wrapping you think it needs. An extra minute of bubble wrap is nothing compared to the cost of replacing something irreplaceable. And double fragile tape on the box — it makes sure everyone on the team knows to handle it like it's made of gold.”

— Jay Newton, Director