Packing Tips: Living / Family Room
Use our living room packing tips to pack the bigger rooms in your home, such as the family room, great room, etc. We will show you the proper technique for packing items such as lamps, furniture, books, stereo equipment, electronics and the like for their secure transport.
Two more helpful hints for packing tips: Wrap pictures and mirrors in telescoping
mirror cartons and use custom crating services for fragile or valuable art that
requires extra special protection.
Packing Tips for the Living Room
Stereo Equipment
- Secure the laser with transport screws located on the bottom or back of the unit
for CD and DVD players.
- Use the plastic lock located on most turntables to secure the tone arm in place.
For additional protection, tie a piece of string around the arm. Secure the platter
tightening the appropriate screws.
Speakers
- Use padded china barrels to pack speakers.
- Large or unusually heavy speakers will just be loaded onto the truck.
Television
- For large or plasma TVs, you will want to arrange for custom crating services. Let
your professional moving company know about this need.
- Discontinue your existing cable service. Return your converter box. Contact your
new cable service to set up an appointment to have your new cable installed.
- Make sure you have proper ventilation around your TV when placing it in your new
residence, at least 6 feet from where your viewing position will be.
Satellite Dish
Contact an electrician or technician from a satellite dish distributorship for the
disconnection and disassembly of this sensitive equipment. You may need crating
services for the satellite dish to ensure its safe transport.
TV Stand/ Stereo Cabinet
If possible, remove glass doors and pack in a mirror carton.
Compact Discs, Tapes and Records
Stand CDs and records on edge, never flat, on a layer of crushed paper. Support
at both ends with large, hardcover books or several pieces of cardboard cut to fit.
Top this layer with another layer of wadded paper. Mark the box as "FRAGILE" and
label its contents
- Wrap cassette tapes individually in paper, then pack individual tapes either vertically
or horizontally on layers of crushed paper.
- If records are not in jackets, wrap individually in tissue paper or plastic wrap
to protect from scratches. Pack in small cartons.
Books
- Use small cartons to pack books of the same general size.
- Pack books flat or with the spine facing the bottom of the carton to avoid any damage.
- Expensive volumes or those books of sentimental value should be individually wrapped
before packing. Mark these books to distinguish them from the other shipment.
Photographs
Make sure to pack valuable and irreplaceable family photos and videos separately
from others. Protect framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing them on
edge in a carton. Label cartons for easy identification. Clearly mark the box, and
you might want to take these items with you when moving.
(Note: watch these when moving to very hot or humid climates by making sure
the storage area protects items from the elements)
Silk or Artificial Flowers
Pack silk or artificial flowers in a separate carton. Wrap each flower in plastic
wrap, tissue paper or paper towels. Secure the base of the piece to the bottom of
the carton and label it, "FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP."
Lamp Bases
Remove the lamp harp and bulb. Wrap the base in paper. Place all components together
in the carton filling the voids and empty spaces with wadded paper.
Lamp Shades
- Carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of plain tissue paper, a pillowcase
or a large lightweight towel. Any ink on paper used to wrap the shade will rub off
onto the fabric.
- 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. You can nest shades, as long as they are not made
of silk.
- Do not pack other items with shades to avoid any damage. Label cartons "LAMP SHADES
- FRAGILE - TOP LOAD ONLY."
Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Shades
Hire a professional moving company to crate your chandeliers and leaded glass shades
for their safe transport.
Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings, Statues & Large Vases
Use a professional moving company to provide crating services for these fragile,
high-value and heavy items.
Rugs
- Leave area rugs on the floor for the moving company to prepare for transport.
- Get 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 your furniture can be placed
on the rug.
Furniture
- The moving company will shrink-wrap upholstered furniture.
- Talk to your moving professional beforehand about any leather items.
- Cardboard will be used to protect table corners.
- Pack couch cushions or decorative pillows into large boxes.
Piano
Your moving company can prepare and transport your grand or baby grand piano. The
moving company will be pad-wrapped for transport. Arrange to have your piano tuned
at your new residence.
Pool Table
Either your moving company or a third party provider can disassemble your pool table
and prepare it for transport. The same applies for its assembly at your new home.
Using Packing Tips for the Living Room
Pack your living room securely and efficiently with our many living room packing
tips. Allied has more than 80 years of experience in packing, so take our expert
advice and use it to have a safe and organized move.