So you have a new house lined up and you’ve started the process of packing up your belongings to get ready for your move. But as you begin going room by room, you start to worry about your valuables— like your art and antiques.

What can you do to make sure they survive the move safely? How do you pack valuables best to maintain their quality and value?

These questions are common when it comes to moving and packing and shouldn’t be ignored during the moving process.

If you want to continue to enjoy these valuables, then it is imperative to properly pack and care for them while you are moving. It may seem like a no-brainer to some people, but don’t be too hasty!

Tips & Tricks for Moving Valuables

As experienced specialty movers and packers, we’ve put together some moving tips and tricks on how to protect your valuables, art, and antiques during a move.

How to Pack Art for a Move

Let’s start with the artwork. Depending on the type of art that you have is going to determine how you need to pack and transport it for your move.

Steps for packing your pictures, artwork, and canvas paintings:

The most basic types of art are large photos in glass frames or canvas paintings, which will likely be the easiest to handle. Here’s how you should pack these types of artwork:

• Make sure you have plenty of bubble wrap to properly wrap the pieces so nothing is exposed.
• Start by laying the picture or artwork face down on the bubble wrap with plenty of extra material to wrap the backside of the picture once it has been placed properly on the bubble wrap.
• Tape the bubble wrap securely around the artwork so there is no surface of the art showing and that nothing could be spilled and cause further damage to the piece.
• If you are transporting the art yourself, the bubble wrap is probably enough to be carefully taken by you to the new house.
• If your art will be placed in the back of a moving truck, it is recommended to find a skinny cardboard box to secure the artwork in for extra protection.

Steps for how to wrap your oil paintings for moving or storage:

Now, what about oil paintings? They can be trickier to handle when it comes to a move. Follow these steps to pack oil paintings:

• First, you’ll need a clear plastic wrap that has been guaranteed as acidic free (because if it is not, it can damage or ruin your painting).
• From there, lay the oil painting face down on the acidic-free wrap with plenty of extra material to wrap the backside of the painting.
• After folding the plastic wrap around the painting, tape it securely so there is no surface of the art exposed to potential damage.
• If the value is higher, you can always add another layer of protection to the painting in the form of a foam pad and then place it into the moving box.

Techniques for Moving Antiques

Antiques are unique in that they don’t always come in the form of artwork— they can be in all shapes and sizes. Depending on the items that you are trying to pack can really determine how you package it for moving.

If you’re packing valuables from your kitchen such as china and wine glasses, it is important to take the time to individually wrap each item and place in a box with the utmost care. If you can, fill the box with only a minimal amount of similar items (rather than over-stuffing) and add some soft padding if you want extra protection as to avoid unnecessary damage.

Aside from cutlery and china, antiques can also be small trinkets or decorative pieces and furniture. As usual when packing and moving, your sentimental attachment to the items and the monetary value all will play a role in how you want to pack and transport them during the move.

For items that you would be devastated if anything happened to them, consider transporting them with you to avoid any possibility of being lost or damaged in a moving truck. The care you take to pack your items all depends on the amount of effort you want to put into moving your valuables.

Create a Packing Plan

When broken down into its different parts and specific processes for certain items in your home, moving doesn’t seem as overwhelming as it does when you start the process. Before you get started, we recommend creating a plan for properly packing your different types of belongings.

Taking time to take care of your valuables is important and will help relieve stress and damage to your belongings in the long run. Properly packing your artwork and antiques may seem like a lot of work, but is the only way to keep everything protected and safe!

Hire Trusted Movers Specializing in Art & Antiques

One way to protect your valuables during a move is to hire licensed professionals that have experience packing and transporting art and antiques.

Our specialty movers in Portland are cautious and skilled in caring for valuables— not only with proper packing, but safe transportation and even climate-controlled storage options if you need!

Contact West Coast Moving & Storage for a free moving and storage quote today!