Packing the Dining Room

The dining room will generally include your most fragile china and crystal stemware. Each item should be carefully wrapped in paper and placed in dishpack cartons; cellular dividers are recommended for stemware. You will also want to include any items with values exceeding $100 per pound on your "High Value Inventory" form to receive proper valuation  coverage.

Wrap all pieces of china and glassware individually. Using several sheets of clean paper, start from the corner, wrapping diagonally and continuously tucking in overlapping edges.

• A generous amount of paper padding and cushioning is required for all china and glassware.
• A double layer of newsprint serves well as outer wrapping.
• Label cartons with room, contents and "FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP."

Place cushioning material in the bottom of a carton. Wrap each piece individually with clean paper, then wrap up to three in a bundle with a double layer of newsprint. Place these bundled items in the carton in a row on edge.

• Larger china and glass plates, platters and other flat pieces are excellent as the lowest layer in a dish pack.
• Surround each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave no voids or unfilled spaces.
• Add two or three inches of wadded paper on top of the bundle to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier.
• Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers level.
• Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls could make up a second layer. Wrap and pack in the same way as larger items.

  To protect silver pieces from tarnishing, they should be completely enclosed in newsprint or plastic wrap. 

• Hollow ware -- including bowls, tea sets and serving dishes - should be wrapped carefully like fragile items and packed like china.
• Loose flatware may be wrapped individually or in sets, and in paper, clear plastic or small gift boxes that are then secured with tape.
• Even if silverware is in a chest, consider wrapping the pieces individually and reposition them in the chest. Or, fill all voids in the chest with newsprint to prevent shifting. The chest can be wrapped in a large bath towel.

• Wrap first in tissue paper, paper towels or facial tissue. Then, wrap carefully in paper that has been wadded and flattened out.
• Small mirrors, plaques and pictures should be wrapped individually in tissue paper with an outer layer of newsprint.
• A bath towel or small blanket makes an excellent outer wrapping and padding for glass.
• Place flat items on edge in a carton.

 
Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper, as the ink will soil the shade. Instead, carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of tissue paper, a pillowcase or a large lightweight towel.

• Use a sturdy carton at least two inches bigger all around than the largest shade. Line it with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective layer, but not around the shade.
• A smaller shade may be nested inside a larger one, provided they do not touch.
• Only one silk shade should be placed in carton to avoid stretching the silk.
• Do not pack other items with shades.
• Label cartons "LAMP SHADES - FRAGILE - TOP LOAD ONLY."
  

Leave area rugs on the floor for the moving company to handle.

• You may want to consider having your area rugs professionally cleaned before your move – you’ll get them back from the cleaners wrapped, rolled and ready for shipping.
• Area rugs should be loaded last and unloaded first so the furniture coming off the truck can go right on top of the rug.

Your packing crew will shrink wrap large, upholstered items.

• Talk to your moving professional beforehand about any leather items.
• Table corners can be protected with cardboard.
• You may want to consider packing couch pillows in large boxes.