5 Tips to Master the Art of Fragile Packing When Moving to a New Rental

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Moving to a new apartment is an exciting adventure, but the thought of packing up fragile items can send shivers down anyone’s spine. But don’t panic! We put together a list of simple tips to make sure you turn your packing woes into packing pros. All it takes is some care, some boxes and a lot of stickers that say FRAGILE on them.

So, if you’re about to move into a new rental apartment, here are five tips to help you breeze through the packing process with confidence and finesse. Gather your moving boxes, get your markers ready, and let’s dive headfirst into the world of fragile packing mastery!

Use the right packing materials

Let’s start with the very basics: Choose sturdy moving boxes in various sizes, but make sure they are made of durable cardboard to withstand the rigors of transportation. Once you’ve taken care of that, consider investing in high-quality packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts and foam sheets to provide ample cushioning for delicate items.

Picture of a pile of brown boxes stacking on top of one another.

Bubble wrap acts as a protective barrier against impacts, while packing peanuts fill the empty spaces within boxes, preventing items from shifting during transit. Foam sheets offer an additional layer of protection, particularly for fragile surfaces prone to scratching or chipping.

Wrap items individually

If you want to keep your fragile items safe while moving them, it’s important to wrap each piece individually, cocooning them in layers of protection. Whether it’s fine china, ornate figurines, or treasured glassware, each item deserves its own protection from potential bumps and knocks during the trip.

Closeup of a man covering box with bubble wrap at table in a warehouse.

Bubble wrap or foam sheets work well because they provide a soft cushioning barrier that absorbs shocks and minimize the risk of anything breaking. This way you can easily create a buffer zone that prevents damage and ensures that your fragile items arrive at their destination in pristine condition.

Fill empty spaces

Now that you’ve mastered the art of wrapping each item individually, it’s time to move to the next step: Filling any voids within the boxes to prevent items from moving around inside the boxes and potentially breaking during the trip. Use packing peanuts or crumpled packing paper to fill these gaps to keep your fragile treasures snug and secure.

Picture of packing peanuts strewn around.

So, take the time to meticulously fill those empty spaces, and you can be confident that your fragile items are cocooned within their boxes, shielded from any bumps and vibrations on the road.

Pack heavier items at the bottom

When it comes to packing fragile items, how you arrange them in the moving box can significantly impact their safety during transit. That said, you can adopt a strategic approach: Start by placing the heavier items at the bottom of the box to form a sturdy foundation for the rest of your belongings.

Cardboard box full of items on a table in an office.

This distribution not only keeps the box stable but also minimizes the risk of fragile items being crushed under the weight of heavier ones.

Use reinforced boxes for extra fragile items

An extra layer of protection can make all the difference when protecting your most delicate possessions. If standard moving boxes don’t seem sturdy enough, consider investing in reinforced boxes specifically designed to withstand the challenges of transporting fragile items.

Picture of blue vase in a reinforced box.

Another good strategy is double boxing, which involves placing your fragile item in one box and then placing that box inside a slightly larger one, with plenty of cushioning material in between. This double-layer protection provides an added barrier against impacts and keeps your precious treasures safe so they’re in perfect shape when you unpack them at your new place.

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Adina Dragos is a real estate writer and research analyst with RentCafe. She has solid experience in real estate writing, covering topics ranging from best cities for renters and the top cities for rental activity to cost of living. Her work was featured in several prominent media channels such as Axios, The Dallas Morning News, ConnectCre and The New York Times.

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