Suitable For Small Items
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Suitable For 1 bedroom
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Suitable For 2 bedroom
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Suitable For 2-3 Bedroom
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Suitable For 3-4 bedroom
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Suitable For 4-5 Bedroom
GST WILL BE CHARGED AT 10% OF THE FINAL BILL
Moving house can feel organised one minute and overwhelming the next. This usually happens when you get to the cupboard full of glassware and ceramics. That’s where people slow down, since packing fragile items is risky.
In this blog, we will go step by step through the process so you know how to pack fragile items safely for your move.
Strong double-walled boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, heavy-duty tape and soft padding are the five essentials. Even with careful packing, poor-quality materials can compromise overall protection.
Each component works together, with the box holding everything in place, and the padding keeps items secure and still. For the full list of materials to buy before you start, see our guide on what moving supplies you need for a successful move.
A smaller, thick-walled box with a reinforced base beats a large one every time. A box for fragile items needs to be strong enough to handle pressure and small enough to limit movement.
Smaller boxes are always better to pack for fragile items. This is because larger boxes create empty space, and this leads to movement during transport.
Before placing any items inside, the base of the box needs attention. This is the part most people rush, but it carries the weight during transport.
Start by securing the bottom using strong packing tape. Apply one layer across the seam, then add another layer in the opposite direction for strength.
After that, add a soft base layer inside the box. This helps absorb impact when boxes are placed down.
You can use materials such as:
This layer acts like a cushion between the box and your items.
Every fragile item needs its own protection before it goes inside the box. This step takes time, but it is what prevents chips, cracks, and scratches.
Each item should be wrapped individually using packing paper first, then bubble wrap for extra protection. Once wrapped, items should feel padded and secure in your hands.
Kitchen items are often the most challenging part of packing because there are so many small and delicate pieces.
Glasses should always be packed upright once wrapped. The inside can be lightly stuffed with paper to reduce pressure on the walls. After wrapping, they should fit tightly inside the box.
Plates should be packed vertically, similar to records standing in a row. Each plate should be wrapped and separated with padding so they do not rub together during transport.
Bowls can be stacked inside one another, but there should always be enough padding between each one. Without that extra protection, the pressure between the bowls can lead to cracks during the move.
Decorative items are awkward in shape, which makes them harder to protect. Things like vases, ornaments, and sculptures need extra cushioning because they do not fit neatly into boxes.
The safest approach is to wrap generously and remove all space around them. This includes:
As mentioned above, every gap should be filled using soft materials such as:
A well-packed box should feel firm and compressed when closed. If anything moves when you shake it lightly, more padding is needed.
Once everything is packed, sealing the box properly is crucial to keep it secure during handling. Use strong packing tape to seal all top seams and reinforce the corners for extra support.
After sealing, labelling is also important for safe handling. Each box should clearly show:
Clear labelling helps ensure fragile boxes are handled carefully during loading and unloading.
Fragile boxes should always be:
The key is keeping pressure off fragile boxes. Once they are stable, the risk of damage drops significantly. TVs and screens need a different approach again — see our guide on how to pack electronics for moving for those.
Avoid it if you can. Newspaper ink transfers onto glass, ceramics and light-coloured items, and it’s less absorbent as a cushioning layer than proper packing paper. It’s fine as a filler for gaps, just not for direct wrapping.
One layer of packing paper plus one to two layers of bubble wrap is enough for most glassware and ceramics. Awkward-shaped or particularly delicate items like vases benefit from 2-3 layers, with extra padding filling any hollow sections.
Yes. Keep fragile boxes under about 15kg. A heavier box is harder to place gently, and the sheer weight increases the pressure between packed items.
Not recommended. Produce and grocery boxes are usually single-walled, softened from prior use, and not built to protect glass or ceramics under stacking pressure. Use proper double-walled moving boxes instead.
Packing fragile items is really about taking your time and making sure everything inside the box has proper support and stability.
A solid box, careful wrapping, and filling those small gaps all work together to keep your items protected throughout the move. Once those are handled, fragile items can travel without any issues.
If you’d rather have it all handled professionally, We Move Group can take care of the packing for you. Call our removalists in Sydney at 1300 017 159 or book through our online form to get started and make your move easier from the very beginning.
