Packing Valuables, Pictures and Ornaments

Posted on 04/07/2013

One of the biggest worries of moving is making sure that your valuable possessions reach the other side in one piece. Everyone has possessions that they don't want getting broken, and with a little care and attention, it's not too hard to make a move break and loss free. Here are some tips:OrganisationA little forward planning can make everything a bit more straightforward. If you haven't really started to pack yet, have a look through the boxes you have and see if any jump out for packing particular valuables. Do you have any pliable card that could be tailored to any particular fragile object? If not, consider stockpiling old cereal boxes, as these come in very handy for this purpose. Also, ask your removals company for advise on valuables and fragile objects. They may provide special boxes specifically for the task. Gather all your fragile objects in a single place, so that you can go through them, inventory them and make sure they're all dealt with effectively.Ceramics and PorcelainFor delicates such as ceramics, porcelain, and decorative ornaments there are a number of packaging methods you could employ. If you have bubble-wrap, wrap them tightly in bubble wrap and put into a box. Make sure you know, or label which side up the object is, to make sure it's not resting on a weak spot. You could think about filling in the gaps in the packaging with polystyrene filler. If you don't have such specialist materials, you could pack your ceramics in newspaper, and then think about putting things inside less vulnerable items like a mug. Another idea is to pad out the packaging with bed sheets and towels, but if you do this make sure you label the packaging clearly so that you don't mistake your ceramics box for a linen box and throw them everywhere when you arrive! If you have part valuable plates, as well as wrapping them up, put them in between paper plates to minimise the risk of breakages.PicturesPictures can be very trick to transport, as often the frame is also very valuable. As before, consider wrapping the whole picture in bubble-wrap. With lager pictures, this could work out quite expensive, but it is the best way to ensure the picture arrives intact. Otherwise, you could use wide, long shallow boxes, the kind that commonly come with flat pack furniture. These are often available on the hight street, or you could ask friends and family if they have any available, as they are very common. Line the bottom with newspaper and pad out once the picture is in. Another option is to take the picture out of its frame, roll it up into a poster tube and then transport the frame separately.ValuablesValuables and jewellery can be particularly nerve-wracking to transport, as you can get worried once it's out of sight. There are a few options here; number one, you could pack all of your jewellery in a safe box, keep hold of the key and then pack the safe box into an unassuming all-purpose box. If this feels a bit risky to you, perhaps you could pack your valuables into your overnight bag for your new house, and keep it with you at all times. If you feel unsure about the whole process, you could leave your valuables with a family member or friend until the dust on the move has settled.