Moving into a new home always presents some unique challenges, but none is more frustrating than attempting to move awkward items. They’re big, they’re heavy, and some are downright temperamental. Without some careful planning and forethought, you may wind up causing accidental damage to yourself, the item, or the homes you’re moving to and from.

To avoid disaster and minimize the frustration of an already stressful move, consider following our series of simple guidelines, as we walk you through how to move awkward items.

Think Before you Move

Before you begin the big move, there are some steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition between homes. Make sure you…

  • Measuring TapeConsult a Moving Company: A few days before the move, have a company like CLR Movers come to view your home and help you figure out any problem areas or issues.
  • Plan the Trip: Learn the route between the homes, figure out what sort of vehicle you’re going to use to move your large items, and decide how you’re going to package them to keep them safe in transit.
  • Measure EVERYTHING: Doorways, stair width, the measurements of your awkward items, even the rooms you plan to put them in–measure it all. The last thing you want to do is bring an item to your home, only to discover that you can’t even get it through the door.
  • Know Where it’s Going: This goes hand-in-hand with planning and measuring. If you can, figure out where the big things are going before your moving day.

Now, the Awkward Items

While there are many awkward items to move, today, we’re going to address a few odd-ball items that are on the light side of difficult.

Floor Lamps

Smaller lamps tend not to present as many problems, as they can fit into boxes and be padded with clothes or bedding. Large floor lamps, on the other hand, can pose a conundrum. In order to safely move a floor lamp without damaging it, follow these simple steps:

  • Pallet WrapRemove the lampshade and bulb from the body of the lamp.
  • Wrap the lamp with stretch wrap to keep it secure. If any part of it is glass, wrap that part in bubble wrap. Make sure the cord is included in the wrapping so it doesn’t trail and present a tripping hazard.
  • Place the lampshade in a box, and cushion it with fabric or packing paper.
  • Put the bulb in a bulb box, wrap it in bubble wrap, and put it in the same box as the lampshade, to keep it all together.

Full-Length Mirrors

Though hand mirrors and small wall mirrors can be easily wrapped in bubble wrap or fabric, full-length mirrors aren’t as easy to deal with. They can be very fragile, and expensive to replace. Fortunately, companies such as U-Haul offer specialty full-length mirror boxes to pack them in. Or, failing that, you can make your own:

  • Still got that stretch wrap from the lamp? Good! Use it to first wrap the mirror, to provide support.
  • Disassemble a box or two, and use them to cover the mirror from top to bottom (one for the face, and one for the back, works very well).
  • Tape the cardboard together, and finish it off with another layer of stretch wrap. Plastic wrap also works, if necessary.

Stay Tuned

That’s all for today, folks! Follow along with us as we discuss how to move awkward items, Electronics Edition, later this month.

Do you have any questions about how to move awkward items? Feel free to comment and let us know!

Things we Love (and Hate) About Moving in Springtime

As of yesterday, it is officially spring in the Northern Hemisphere! While it may not truly start to feel like...
Read More

How to Move Houseplants (Without Killing Them)

If you’re a devoted plant carer, you know that your collection of houseplants can get surprisingly large, and as living...
Read More

How to Celebrate the Holidays Just Before (Or After) a Move

Whether you just moved or you’re getting ready to, trying to celebrate the holidays when your life has been all...
Read More

Preparing your New House for Winter

So, you just moved into a new house, and now the temps are dropping fast—whether you’re new to New England...
Read More

Fun Autumn Activities in the Central Lakes Region of New Hampshire

It’s finally starting to feel like fall in New England! To celebrate PSLs, changing leaves, and a little crispness in...
Read More

Things to Do in Your First Month in a New Home

So you’ve made the move to a new home: congratulations! Whether you’re ready to settle immediately or have a long...
Read More

How to Stay Cool When Moving in the Summer

Summertime is prime time for moving, whether you’re moving into an apartment, a house, or a dorm room. Summertime can...
Read More

Fun Things Happening in New Hampshire this Summer

A lot of people, even locals, associate New Hampshire with beautiful autumn leaves or long winters, but summertime in the...
Read More

How to Prepare for an International Move

Moving is always a challenge, but moving overseas or internationally can be even more stressful! Here are some tips for...
Read More

Low-Cost & Low-Waste Tips for Moving

If you’ve ever moved before, you probably know that along with the realization that you have a lot of stuff...
Read More
Want updates like this delivered straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our blog to receive moving tips, the latest and greatest around NH, and more. We don't share your email address with anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time.