Glasses, plates, pictures and electronics are what most often gets damaged in a move — and almost always because of the same single mistake. Here's how to pack them so you open the box without nasty surprises.
Almost every item damaged in a move has the same story behind it: there was empty space left in the box. Fragile things don't break from the weight of other items, but from movement — that tiny jiggle on every bump in the road. The whole art of packing fragile goods comes down to one rule: nothing must move inside the box. Let's walk through it step by step.
Rule number one: never a big box for heavy fragile goods
The bigger the box, the heavier it gets when full and the easier it deforms. Dishes, glass and books always go into smaller boxes you can lift with one hand. Save the big boxes for light, robust items like duvets and pillows. This is the most common mistake people make — and it almost always ends with the bottom giving way.
Prepare the bottom and line the sides
Before you put anything inside, build a soft layer at the bottom of the box from crumpled paper, rags or bubble wrap. That layer is a shock absorber that soaks up every knock from below. Do the same on the sides if you're packing especially delicate things — the box then becomes a nest rather than just a cardboard cube.
Plates are packed upright
Counter-intuitively, plates aren't stacked on top of each other like in a cupboard — they're stood upright, like records on a turntable. That way pressure goes to the edge, which is strongest, rather than the middle, which cracks first. Wrap each plate individually and slip a layer of paper between them.
- Wrap each plate separately in paper or film.
- Stand them on their edge, never stacked flat.
- Fill empty space with crumpled paper so they can't shift.
- Mark "FRAGILE" clearly on every side of the top.
Glasses and cups: each on its own
Glasses are the most delicate thanks to thin rims and handles. Wrap each one individually and lightly fill the inside of tall glasses with paper so the wall doesn't collapse under pressure. Give cups with handles extra protection around the handle itself, as that's the weakest point. Never put glasses at the bottom under heavier items — fragile always goes on top.
Electronics: the original box is your best friend
If you kept the original boxes for your TV, monitor or console — this is the moment it pays off. They're designed for exactly that device. If you don't have them, wrap the device in bubble wrap, pack the cables separately and label which goes where, so you don't spend an hour guessing later.
- Photograph how the cables are connected with your phone before you pull them out.
- Always transport screens upright, never lying flat.
- Carry hard drives and memory cards with you, not in the truck.
Pictures, mirrors and frames
Tape glass surfaces in an X shape — if the glass does crack, the tape holds the shards in place and stops them cutting the frame or your hands. Then wrap each piece in film and transport it upright, leaning against the side of the truck, never lying under other things.
Closing and labelling
When the box is full, shake it gently before sealing. If anything rattles or shifts — it's not done yet, add more filling. Reinforce the bottom and top with several layers of tape and clearly mark the contents and the room. For fragile boxes always add "THIS WAY UP" with an arrow pointing up.
When it's better to leave it to professionals
Some things simply have no price — a family dinner set, an inherited mirror, an expensive coffee machine. If you're not sure you'll pack them properly, our crew does this daily and uses professional materials and cargo insurance. Better to ask once than to mourn over shards afterwards.
Conclusion
Fragile goods don't suffer because of a bad road, but because of empty space and the wrong box. Pack into smaller boxes, wrap everything individually, fill every gap and stand delicate items upright. And if you have a lot of valuable, delicate things — call us, and we'll make sure everything arrives exactly as it set off.