Pro Packing Tips: How to Protect Your Belongings During a Move
Professional packers share their best tips for packing fragile items, electronics, artwork, and furniture. Learn the right materials, techniques, and common mistakes to avoid.
By ProMatchly Team · 2026-01-08 · 7 min read
The difference between arriving at your new home with everything intact and dealing with broken dishes, cracked screens, and damaged furniture comes down to how well you pack. Professional packers use specific techniques and materials that dramatically reduce the risk of damage during transit. Here are the methods the pros use.
The Right Materials Make All the Difference
Professional packers rarely use newspaper for wrapping because the ink transfers to items, especially white dishes and light-colored fabrics. Instead, use plain packing paper, which costs $15 to $25 for a 25-pound bundle that covers a full kitchen worth of wrapping. Bubble wrap is essential for truly fragile items and costs $20 to $40 for a standard roll.
Use high-quality boxes, not random boxes from the grocery store. Moving boxes are designed with consistent dimensions that stack evenly, double-walled construction that supports weight, and hand holes for safe carrying. A set of moving boxes for a three-bedroom home costs $50 to $100. Dish pack boxes with cell dividers add $10 to $20 each but are invaluable for safely packing glasses and stemware.
Packing tape should be two inches wide and strong enough to hold a fully loaded box. Cheap tape fails at the worst times. A few rolls of quality packing tape cost $10 to $20 and are one of the best investments you can make for a move.
Kitchen Packing
The kitchen is the most challenging room to pack because of the quantity and fragility of items. Start by packing items you rarely use: serving platters, special occasion dishes, small appliances, and cookbooks.
Wrap each plate individually in packing paper, then stack them vertically on their edges in the box, not flat. Plates stacked flat are more likely to crack from top pressure. Fill any gaps with crumpled packing paper.
Glasses and stemware should be individually wrapped with packing paper or bubble wrap. Place them upside down in cells or individually in a dish pack box. The rim of a glass is its weakest point, so placing them upside down protects the most vulnerable part.
Knives should be wrapped in packing paper with the blade protected. Alternatively, use blade guards or slide them into a piece of corrugated cardboard folded over the blade and taped shut.
Electronics
Remove all cables and accessories from electronics and pack them in labeled ziplock bags. Take a photo of the back of your TV, gaming console, and computer setup before disconnecting anything. This makes reconnection at your new home much faster.
If you still have the original boxes for TVs, monitors, and gaming consoles, use them. They were designed to protect the product during shipping and are the safest option. If not, wrap the screen in a soft blanket or packing paper, then wrap the entire unit in bubble wrap. Place it in a box with at least two inches of cushioning on all sides.
Hard drives in computers and gaming consoles are sensitive to shock. Whenever possible, transport electronics in your personal vehicle rather than on the moving truck.
Artwork and Mirrors
Tape an X pattern across the glass surface of framed artwork and mirrors using painter's tape. If the glass does break during transit, the tape holds the shards together and prevents them from damaging the artwork. Wrap the piece in bubble wrap, then sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard cut slightly larger than the frame. Tape the cardboard sandwich together and label it clearly as fragile and glass.
For valuable artwork, invest in picture boxes or mirror boxes, which are telescoping boxes designed specifically for flat, fragile items. They cost $5 to $15 each and are worth every penny for irreplaceable pieces.
Furniture
Remove legs from tables, detach shelves from bookcases, and take apart bed frames. Keep all hardware in labeled ziplock bags taped to the furniture piece they belong to. Wrap furniture surfaces in moving blankets or padded furniture covers to prevent scratches and dents during transit.
For wood furniture, avoid using bubble wrap directly against the surface, as it can leave circular impressions in the finish during a long move. Use a layer of packing paper or a soft blanket between bubble wrap and wood surfaces.
When to Hire Professional Packers
If you have a large home, valuable or fragile collections, or simply limited time, professional packing services are worth considering. A two-person packing crew costs $50 to $100 per hour and can pack a three-bedroom home in four to six hours. They bring all materials and have the experience to handle fragile items safely.
Start your packing or moving project on <strong>Pro<span style="color:#f59e0b">Matchly</span></strong>. Whether you need full packing service, fragile item packing only, or a complete move with packing included, describe what you need and let verified moving professionals submit competitive bids.