Moving Table Lamps
Moving table lamps isn't difficult, but it requires quite a few steps.
To pack a lamp, first remove the lightbulb and shade from the lamp. Wrap the cord around the lamps base and tuck the plugged end into the wrapped cord to secure it.
Put the shade to the side, taking care to handle it by the metal rims, not the sides. Lamp shades are as delicate as lamps, and can easily rip, bend, or get stained.
Roll the entire lamp in a piece of bubble wrap about five to 10 inches longer than the lamp itself and secure the wrap with packing tape. You can use more than one piece of bubble wrap and overlap them, if necessary. The entire lamp should be protected, even on the top and bottom.
Pack the lamp, standing up, in an extra tall box. You can purchase these boxes from any store that sells moving supplies. Reinforce the bottom of the box with packing tape.
Feel free to pack more than one lamp in a box. Just be sure to place extra padding, in the form of packing peanuts, newspaper, bubble wrap, or cloths between the lamps. Lamps shouldn't have space to shift during the move.
Seal the box tightly, label it "Fragile" and "This side up," and list the contents, including the room where you'll put the lamps in your new home. The shade should be packed separately.
Moving Lampshades
After you've removed the shades from the lamps and packed the lamps, it's time to pack the shades. Stack shades inside each other, from smallest to largest, placing a piece of tissue paper or plain newsprint, which can be purchased at a store that sells moving supplies, between each shade. Do not use actual newspapers, as the ink can transfer to your lampshades and stain them.
Place the stacked shades in a box, bottoms down. Use packing materials to secure the shades in the box, seal it up, and label it as "Fragile Lamp Shades." In the moving van, don't pack anything on top of the lampshades or else you run the risk of them getting damaged.
Moving Lightbulbs
Pack all lightbulbs together in a large box. You may use a Christmas ornament box, which will hold all the bulbs in separate compartments, or a regular moving box.
Wrap each lightbulb completely with bubble wrap and secure the bubble wrap with packing tape. Label the box, mark it fragile, and specify "This Side Up" on the box.
If you only have a few bulbs making the trip, you can pack them with other small, fragile items. Just be sure to label the box, or take a photo of the contents and tape it to the outside of the box so you know where to find the bulbs.
Moving Floor Lamps
Many floor lamps can be broken down into smaller pieces, making it easy to pack the lamp in a box. Wrap each piece in bubble wrap or cloth to prevent scratching, seal the box, label it, and mark it "fragile." Make sure to remove the lightbulbs and pack them separately.
You may prefer to move your floor lamps in one piece. If so, remove the lightbulbs and pack them separately. Wrap the lamp in a moving blanket and secure the blanket with packing tape. Lie the lamp on the floor of the moving van near a wall, where it won't get stepped on or have other items placed on top of it, or stand it up between two heavy pieces of furniture so it can't move during transit.
Moving a Chandelier
Moving a chandelier safely requires the following items:
- heavy corrugated cardboard box, reinforced on the bottom with packing tape, large enough to hold the chandelier plus two inches of foam on the top and bottom
- two additional boxes (for lightbulbs and the pieces of your chandelier)
- bubble wrap
- packing foam
- packing tape
- packing peanuts
- twist ties
- screwdriver
- someone else to help you
After you've removed the chandelier from the ceiling, detach prisms, chains, candle cups, and arms. Wrap the pieces separately in bubble wrap and place them in a moving box. Label the box with the words "fragile" and "chandelier pieces." If you have more than one chandelier, put a number on the box, as well so can keep everything organized.
Wrap the chandelier's cords and wires, securing them with twist ties. Place one piece of foam in the bottom of the reinforced box and place the chandelier on top. As you hold the chandelier upright, your helper should load packing peanuts into the box, completely surrounding the chandelier. You should be able to let go of the chandelier now and it should still stand upright. Place the second piece of foam on the chandelier, close the box, seal it and label it, marking it with the words "fragile," and "this side up."
Pack the lightbulbs in their own box, wrapping each carefully in bubble wrap, labeling the box and marking it fragile.
Do not stack heavy boxes on your chandelier or its components in the moving van.
