Essential Tips For Moving Art, Antiques & Valuables Safely

Step-By-Step Guidance To Help Protect Your Most Valuable Possessions

Relocating to a new home or office is often a time of excitement, but it can quickly become stressful when it comes to moving precious items like artwork, antiques, and other valuables. While furniture and everyday belongings can usually withstand a bit of jostling, your fine art and treasured antiques need careful planning and expert handling to avoid damage.

Below, we’ve gathered practical, step-by-step guidance to help protect your most valuable possessions.

Why Proper Care For Valuables Is Crucial During a Move

Many items in your home can be wrapped in simple boxes and packing paper without much worry. However, fragile and high-value pieces demand meticulous preparation, such as:

• Paintings and canvas artwork.
• Mirrors, large and small.
• Framed prints and photographs.
• Antique furniture and collectibles.
• Porcelain, glassware, and crystal.
• Sculptures and decorative pieces.
• Family heirlooms with sentimental value.

These aren’t just “things”; they’re often priceless and irreplaceable. They hold monetary worth and often irreplaceable personal meaning. For this reason, it’s crucial to plan ahead, use quality materials, and consider seeking professional help from experienced movers who specialize in handling delicate and valuable items during your relocation.

Artwork, Framed Prints & Mirrors

Artwork and mirrors are among the most vulnerable items during any relocation. A small slip can cause shattered glass, punctured canvases, or irreversible scratches. Follow these specific steps to keep them safe:

1. Choose The Right Packing Containers

Start by sourcing sturdy, heavy-duty picture boxes. If you saved the original boxes for your artwork or mirrors, use those first, as they’re perfectly sized for your items. Otherwise, telescope boxes—two-part boxes that slide together—are ideal for longer pieces like mirrors or large framed prints. For oversized artwork, a custom wooden crate might be the best solution.

When working with long-distance moving companies, ask if they provide or recommend specialized crates designed to protect valuable, fragile items during transit. Proper containers tailored to the journey can greatly reduce the risk of damage.

2. Wrap In Glassine For Surface Protection

Instead of wrapping art directly in plastic, protect delicate surfaces with Glassine paper. This smooth, air- and moisture-resistant paper prevents smudges, sticking, and chemical reactions that can harm fine finishes. Glassine is widely available online or at art supply stores.

Lay your piece on a clean surface and gently wrap it in Glassine, securing the edges with painter’s tape (which won’t leave sticky residue). Ensure there are no exposed areas.

3. Add Cushioning & Protect Vulnerable Areas

After wrapping your artwork or mirrors in Glassine, provide generous cushioning by wrapping the item two or three times with bubble wrap, securing it firmly with packing tape (but never apply tape directly to the artwork or frame), avoiding tape on the artwork or frame itself.

Protect corners, which are especially prone to damage, by adding cardboard or foam corner protectors before boxing.

For extra safety, wrap the bubble-covered piece in a thick moving blanket to guard against sharp edges, shifting items, and vibrations during transit.

4. Pack & Load Thoughtfully

When loading artwork into the moving truck, store pieces upright to avoid pressure and bending. Arrange similar items back-to-back or face-to-face with protective layers to prevent scratches from hanging hardware.

If working with local moving companies, communicate how your art should be secured—they know how to keep fragile items safe and stable during transit.

Finally, place artwork where it won’t be crushed by heavy boxes or furniture, and use straps to secure it whenever possible.

Detailed Tips For Safely Moving Antiques

Antiques often hold dual value: financial and sentimental. From fine porcelain dishes to ornate mahogany furniture, these items deserve exceptional care. Here’s how to ensure they arrive at your new home intact:

Document And Insure Your Antiques Before Packing

Before handling any antiques, take clear photos from multiple angles, including close-ups of any existing imperfections. Write a brief description for each piece to help keep track of your inventory and provide essential documentation for insurance purposes in case of damage during the move.

It’s also important to review your homeowner’s insurance policy, as not all policies cover antiques while in transit. Consider purchasing additional packing service insurance tailored for high-value items to ensure your valuables are fully protected throughout the relocation process.

Gather Your Supplies

Having everything on hand will make the process smoother and help ensure you don’t rush or cut corners. Here’s what to gather:

• Several rolls of bubble wrap.
• Moving blankets.
• Quality packing tape.
• Cardboard or wooden crates.
• Screwdrivers or tools for disassembly.
• Corner protectors for furniture edges.

Investing in good materials can mean the difference between a successful move and costly damage.

Disassemble When Possible

Large antique furniture often has removable legs, glass panels, or delicate hardware. If it’s safe, carefully disassemble these components. Keep all screws, brackets, and small pieces in clearly labeled bags taped to the corresponding furniture section.

Layer Protection & Secure Packing For Antiques

Wrap each antique generously with bubble wrap, placing soft fabric or moving paper under delicate surfaces like lacquered wood. Secure the wrap snugly without tightening tape too much to protect the finish.

Next, cover the piece with a moving blanket, taping gently to hold it in place without excess pressure.

Whenever possible, place wrapped antiques inside sturdy wooden crates for shock absorption and stability. If crates aren’t available, use a well-fitted, padded double-walled cardboard box as an alternative.

Lift & Load With Care

Never attempt to lift heavy antiques alone. Enlist friends, family, or professionals to help move weighty pieces safely. Tilt, don’t drag, to avoid scuffs or stress on joints.

When loading into the truck, keep antique furniture secured and away from shifting boxes or sharp-edged items.

Adjust Your Moving Plan For Long-Distance vs Local Moves

Moving valuables across town differs significantly from transporting them cross-country. Shorter moves may allow more direct supervision, while longer distances mean more hours in the truck, temperature changes, and additional handling.

If you’re relocating further afield, consider hiring cross country movers with specialized experience. They understand how to:

• Use custom crating for fragile pieces.
• Secure loads to prevent shifting.
• Manage the logistics of multi-day transportation.
• Handle climate-sensitive items like art and wood furniture.

Best Practices for Storing Art & Antiques During a Move

Sometimes you’ll need to store items temporarily before settling into your new home. When storing art and antiques, keep these essentials in mind:

• Choose climate-controlled storage unit rental spaces to protect from humidity, heat, and cold.
• Never place boxes directly on the floor; elevate them with pallets to avoid moisture damage.
• Clearly label boxes as “Fragile” and note their contents for safe handling.
• Store high-value items in a unit with excellent security, including cameras and controlled access.

Proper storage ensures your treasured belongings stay in pristine condition until you’re ready to retrieve them.

Why You Should Hire Professionals For Moving High-Value Items

While a DIY approach can save money, the risk with valuable items is significant. For irreplaceable antiques, fine art, or specialty pieces, investing in professional packing and moving services is wise. Companies experienced in handling high-value items can:

• Advise on insurance options
• Provide custom crating and materials
• Guarantee careful handling by trained crews

Professionals ensure your most important belongings arrive safely and in perfect condition.

Start Planning Your Safe Move Today With Our Moving Company In Phoenix!

Relocating art, antiques, and other valuables can be done with confidence when you have the right preparation and materials in place.

If you’re planning a move and want to ensure your most treasured items are protected, choosing the right moving company in Phoenix, Arizona makes all the difference. 

With over 15 years of experience and a dedication to expert care, our team is here to make your move seamless. Contact us today!