How to Pack Lamps and Lampshades for Moving

Most decorative items are beautiful things that please the eye and add charm and character to the home, but have little or no practical value.

Lamps are among the few exceptions to the rule – they’re both practical and stylish as they not only light up the space, but also create a feeling of warmth, coziness, and luxury in the room. A few well-chosen lighting fixtures are all you need to make your place appear brighter, larger, and more open; create an ambiance of mystery, relaxation, or romance; and express your personal style.

It’s only natural then, that you’ll want to bring your lamps along when moving house – whether they’re modern fittings or vintage items, expensive pieces of art or lovely trifles of little monetary value, sentimental objects or everyday items with no emotional meaning, your lamps will help you turn your new place into your sweet home quickly and effortlessly.

There’s just one little problem – lamps are very difficult to move. Not only are they extremely fragile, but they also come in a variety of odd sizes and shapes that present an enormous packing challenge to home movers.

So, how can you ensure the safety of your lamps during the relocation process? How to pack lamp shades for moving safely and efficiently? How to pack and move a chandelier to your new home?

It’s easier than you think – just follow the step-by-step instructions for packing lamps for moving below and you’re certain to find your lighting fixtures safe and intact when you open the moving boxes in your new home.

How to Pack Lamps for Moving

Lamps and lamp shades are very delicate and need special care and excellent protection if they’re to survive the move in one piece.

There are two major challenges you’re going to face when preparing your lighting fixtures for shipping:

1. Most lamps are made of ceramic or glass, so they are extremely fragile and easy to break during transit;
2. Lamps have different sizes and irregular shapes, so it’s often difficult to figure out what kind of box to pack them in and how to pack them safely and efficiently.

The solution is simple enough – the key to ensuring the safety of your lighting fixtures during transit is packing the lamp and the lamp shade in separate boxes. This way, you’ll be able to provide the best possible protection to all lamp elements and keep them in top-notch condition throughout the move.

So, your first task is to get hold of appropriate packing materials. You’re going to need:

• Packing boxes for lamps – sturdy moving boxes for the lamp bases and the detached lamp parts, cartons that are big enough to accommodate the lampshades, a strong box of corrugated cardboard for the chandelier (if applicable), and/or specialized lamp boxes;
• Soft, unprinted packing paper;
• Bubble wrap and foam sheets;
• Packing peanuts;
• A few sealable plastic bags;
• Packing tape and masking tape;
• Cable ties (tie wraps);
• Permanent markers.

If you’re moving a chandelier, you will need some hand tools and a ladder as well.

Once you’ve gathered the necessary packing supplies, you can get down to work. Here is how to pack up lamps safely and efficiently:

How to Prepare Lamps for Moving

There are several important things to do before you can pack a lamp for moving:

1. Unplug the lighting fixture;
2. Remove the lamp shade – Depending on the design of your lamp, you may need to unscrew the finial (a screw or tab-like object on top of the lamp) in order to remove the lampshade or you may be able to just lift the shade up. To unscrew the finial, you need to turn it in a counterclockwise direction until it comes off (if it won’t move, try turning the lampshade instead);
3. Remove the light bulb and the harp (a “U” – shaped metal piece that surrounds the bulb and holds the shade in place);
4. Wrap the harp and finial in soft packing paper and place them in a zip-lock bag;
5. Cover the metal prongs on the cord with a piece of foam or bubble wrap to prevent them from scratching or denting the lamp base;
6. Wrap the cord around the base of the lamp and tuck it in itself or bundle the cord together and use a cable tie to keep it in place. Whatever method you choose, make sure the cord is well secured, so that it doesn’t cause accidents during the transportation.

Once you’ve “disassembled” the lamp, you can safely pack its elements for moving.

How to Pack Lamp Bases

Take care of the lamp base first:

• Prepare the box – Choose a sturdy cardboard box that is slightly taller than the base (taller lamps may require specialized lamp boxes). Reinforce the bottom and the corners of the box with packing tape. Then, place some crumpled packing paper (newsprint will do as well) on the bottom of the carton to create protective cushioning for the lamp;
• Wrap the base – Set the lamp base in the middle of a large piece of bubble wrap (about five to ten inches longer than the base itself) or paper padding (a multilayered paper wrap). Roll the lamp base in the protective material – you can use more than one piece of bubble wrap or paper padding and overlap them, if necessary, so that the entire base is covered in wrapping, including the top and the bottom. Secure the wrapping in place with packing tape, but be careful not to use it directly on the lamp as the tape may damage its delicate surface;
• Place the wrapped base upright into the padded box, with its base down;
• Put another lamp base in the box, if there is enough room. You can safely pack more than one lamp in a box (standing up, one base next to the other), as long as they are not in direct contact with one another. So, if you decide to pack several lamp bases in the same box, make sure you place extra cushioning between them – you can use packing peanuts, newspaper, bubble wrap, old towels, etc.;
• Place the finials and harps in the same box with the lamps they belong to. You need to keep all the lamp parts together so that you can easily reassemble the lighting fixtures after the move;
• Fill any empty spaces in the box with crushed paper, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or old pieces of clothing to prevent the items inside from shifting during the transportation (otherwise they may bump into one another or into the sides of the box and get damaged);
• Seal the box tightly and label it FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP. Close the lids, tape the box shut, and write its contents and destination room (as well as the necessary handling instructions) on at least three sides of the carton with the help of a permanent marker.

How to Pack Light Bulbs for Moving

Light bulbs are extremely fragile and don’t have much of a chance to survive the relocation intact. Therefore, it may be better to leave them to the next renters/owners of your old home or give them to your neighbors instead of taking them along and risking them breaking during the move and causing personal injuries or damage to other items.

If you decide to bring your light bulbs to your new home, anyway, you need to wrap each one individually with bubble wrap and secure the wrapping with masking tape. Be extra careful with CFL and LED bulbs – they contain mercury and may pose a great risk to your health if they break.

Arrange the wrapped bulbs in a well-padded box and place a protective layer of packing paper on top of them. It would be even better to use a Christmas ornament box, so that you can place each bulb in a separate compartment. Make sure the light bulbs are completely immobile inside the moving box.

Tape the box shut, label it with its contents, and mark it as FRAGILE.

Once you’ve taken care of the lamp base and the light bulbs, it’s time to turn your attention to the greatest challenge of all – packing the lampshades.

How to Pack Lamp Shades for Moving

It is the lamp shade that defines the look and feel of your lighting fixture, so you need to do everything possible to keep it intact and unscathed during the relocation. When packing lampshades for moving, you’re advised to:

1. Clean the shades – The lampshades will have probably accumulated a lot of dust, dirt, pet hairs, and germs over the years, so you need to give them a thorough cleaning before you pack them for moving (you don’t want to take all the dirt and bacteria from your old home into your new one, right?):

• Dust fabric shades – use the crevice attachment of your vacuum cleaner or a paint brush to remove dust and dirt from shades with pleats and a lint roller to collect the dust from smooth surfaces. Spot clean with a damp cloth, if necessary. (Stitched fabric shades can even be washed in a tub with cool water and a mild dishwashing detergent. Glued lampshades, however, should never be soaked in water as it will break the glue bond and the shade will fall apart);
• Wash plastic and glass shades with soapy water and let them air dry before packing them for moving;
• Have silk shades, designer shades, antique shades and other extremely valuable lamp shades professionally cleaned.

2. Wrap the lampshades – Use soft, clean packing paper to wrap the shades for moving. (Never wrap lampshades in newsprint, as the ink can stain their delicate surfaces.) If it’s a glass lampshade or a very delicate one, wrap it in bubble wrap or foam sheets. Use masking tape to keep the wrapping in place (it will hold well enough but won’t put up any resistance when unpacking the lamp);
3. Box up the shades – Line the bottom of a cardboard box with crumpled paper, then place your smallest lamp shade in the middle. Spread some packing paper or bubble wrap over the shade and slip a slightly larger one (properly wrapped) on top of the first – lamp shades can be stacked inside each other to save space and ensure better protection against damage (especially to the innermost ones). Repeat the procedure until the box if full – just make sure there is enough room for cushioning materials on top of the last shade and the box can be closed shut without pushing down on the nested shades;
4. Add cushioning – When the shades are all nested, ranging from the smallest to the largest, fill the remaining empty space in the box with crushed paper or packing peanuts to immobilize the shades in the moving container;
5. Seal the box, label it with its contents and write HANDLE WITH CARE with big letters on top of the carton.

See also: How to pack fragile items for moving

Good to remember:

1) Wash your hands well to avoid accidentally staining the lampshades by touching them with dirty hands.

2) Always pick up the shades by the wire rims.

3) Pack delicate lampshades (made of glass, silk, etc.) in separate boxes – one in a carton.

• After wrapping the shade in bubble wrap as described above, fill its interior cavity with crumpled paper to help the lampshade preserve its shape (if it’s silk) or keep it from resting on its bottom edge with all its weight bearing down on it (if it’s glass);
• Wrap the “stuffed” lampshade in a large towel or sheet or insert it in a pillowcase if it’s small enough to fit inside;
• Line a sturdy box that is slightly larger than the shade with crumpled paper, carefully place the wrapped shade inside, fill the carton with cushioning materials, and seal the box;
• If you’re moving a large glass shade, place the sealed box with the lampshade inside another, larger carton. Use plenty of packing paper to keep the smaller box away from the inside walls of the larger carton. Tape the second box shut and label it FRAGILE and HANDLE WITH CARE.

Now that you know how to pack lamps and shades in a safe and efficient manner, you don’t need to worry about your lighting fixtures any more – they’re certain to arrive at your new home safe and sound.

All the above tips, however, focus on how to pack table lamps. What about floor lamps then? Things are mostly the same (preparing the lamps for moving, packing the light bulbs, packing the lampshades), but there are some specifics too.

How to Pack Floor Lamps for Moving

Floor lamps present a unique packing and moving challenge because of their height and instability. Most floor lamps consist of a round base and two or three poles, all screwed together. They’re designed to stand up and immobile – not to be laid horizontally or withstand vibrations or impacts. Each of the screw-together points is a weak place, quite likely to break under pressure (most often, it is the base that snaps off the first pole).

Therefore, the safest way to transport a floor lamp is to take it apart – unscrew the base and the poles, wrap each individual part in bubble wrap or old towels to protect it against scratching, and pack the pieces in sturdy boxes of appropriate sizes. Seal the boxes, label them, and mark them as FRAGILE.

If your floor lamp cannot be disassembled or if you prefer to move it in one piece, you’re advised to:

• Wrap the lamp in a lightweight moving blanket (not a regular quilted pad as it may be too heavy for the fragile lamp);
• Secure the blanket around the lamp with packing tape;
• Tie the wrapped lamp upright against the wall of the moving truck or stand it up between two heavy pieces of furniture so it won’t move during transit.

Pack the lamp shades and light bulbs as described above.

So, regardless of the specific type of the lightening fixture, the principle remains the same – the best way to pack lamps for moving is to pack their elements separately and with utmost care.

The more complex and intricate the light fixture, the more important it is to disassemble the lamp and ensure the safety of every individual part.

This is best seen in chandeliers – the grandest, most elaborate lighting fixtures to exist.

How to Pack a Chandelier

Packing a crystal chandelier is one of the greatest challenges you’re going to face when preparing your items for shipping – the so-called “sculpture of light” is not only extremely fragile and heavy, but also very expensive and very vulnerable to damage.

Ensuring its safety during a house move is something close to a miracle. Yet, it is doable, as long as you know exactly what to do and how to provide efficient protection to every single part of your magnificent lighting fixture.

Here is how to pack a crystal chandelier for moving so that it survives the relocation intact and unscathed:

1) How to remove a chandelier from the ceiling

• Turn off the electricity powering the chandelier circuit;
• Use a ladder to reach the chandelier and remove the light bulbs and hanging crystals (if any). If the crystals are of different sizes, you need to keep track of which ones go where on the chandelier arms, so that you can correctly reassemble the light fixture after the move;
• Have someone hold and brace the chandelier while you’re setting it loose – the lighting fixture is usually screwed through the base into the mounting strap on the junction box, so you will need to remove the screws in order to set the chandelier base free. Be careful not to let the chandelier drop too far as the wires in the circuit box may get stretched and snap;
• Use a screwdriver to remove the wire nuts holding the chandelier wires to the circuit box wires;
• When the chandelier is freed form the mounting strap and detached from the wires, carefully lower it to the floor.

2) How to disassemble a chandelier

• Take off any detachable parts – ornaments, prisms, shades, chains, candle cups, and arms. Remember how they were connected (some will be attached with wires or hooks, other with screws and nuts), so that you can correctly reattach them when reassembling the chandelier (it is a good idea to take a few pictures of your lighting fixture before taking it apart);
• Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap and place all the detached parts in a well-padded moving box. Provide plenty of cushioning inside the box to keep the pieces out of contact with one another and to prevent them from shifting during transit;
• Be extra careful with the crystals – wrap each one individually in soft packing paper (keep the paper in place with masking tape), then in bubble wrap. It would be best to pack them in a Christmas ornament box or another sturdy box with separate compartments;
• Place the smaller fastening elements (screws, nuts, hooks, etc.) into zip lock bags and pack them in the same box with the rest of the chandelier pieces;
• Seal the box tightly and write CHANDELIER PIECES and HANDLE WITH CARE on three of its sides. (If you’re moving more than one chandelier, number the boxes, so that you can keep things organized and know which parts belong to which light fixture);
• Bundle the wires and cables together and use twist ties to keep them in place.

3) How to pack up a chandelier

• Take a heavy-duty, corrugated box big enough to fit the chandelier, together with some foam padding around it. If your lighting fixture is very large and heavy or very valuable, consider using a specialized chandelier moving crate instead. Use plenty of packing tape to reinforce the box, then place a piece of foam on the bottom;
• Place the chandelier upright in the moving box and surround it completely with packing peanuts;
• Add more cushioning in the box until you can let go of the chandelier and it stills stands upright. The light fixture should be packed so tightly that it doesn’t move, even when the box is shaken. Place a second piece of foam or several layers of bubble wrap on top of the chandelier;
• Close the box, seal it tightly, and write CHANDELIER, EXTREMELY FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP with big black or red letters.

Now that you know the best way to pack a chandelier, you should be able to relocate your magnificent light fixture without any problems or mishaps. Still, using the professional services of experienced chandelier movers may be your better option – especially if your chandelier is very valuable.

Good to remember: To ensure the safety of your proficiently packed lamps during the trip to your new home, make sure that the boxes are well secured in the moving truck and nothing else is stacked on top them.

---

Your lamps will survive the move safe and sound, will bring warmth, coziness, and personality to your new home, and will help you build a bright new life.