Nearly half of all people moving home in the UK have damaged at least one item during the process, according to research by Compare My Move. Mirrors, crockery, and glass top the damage list. The good news? The vast majority of breakages come down to poor packing, not bad luck. That means most of them are preventable.
The Packing Materials You Actually Need
Before you wrap a single thing, get the right materials together. Cutting corners here is where most moves go wrong.
- Double-walled cardboard boxes for anything heavy or particularly fragile
- Bubble wrap as the primary cushioning for ceramics, glass, and electronics
- Unprinted packing paper for a first layer on crockery and for stuffing hollow items
- Strong packing tape to seal boxes and secure wrapping
- Wardrobe cartons or purpose-built mirror boxes for large flat pieces
- A marker pen for labelling
One thing to avoid: old newspaper. The ink transfers and can stain china, ceramics, and glassware. It’s a common habit but a real problem for anything white or light-coloured.
How to Pack Glasses and Crockery
Crockery accounts for 20% of all items damaged during UK house moves, according to Compare My Move’s research. Almost always, the cause is packing technique rather than rough handling.
Start with a small box and line the bottom with 5 to 8 cm of scrunched packing paper or bubble wrap.
Glasses: Stuff the inside of each glass with scrunched paper before wrapping the outside. Wrap in packing paper first, then add bubble wrap secured with tape. Place glasses upside down in the box. The rim is the weakest point, so position matters.
Plates: Stand them on their edge vertically, not flat. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper. Add cardboard dividers between every two or three plates.
Bowls: Nest carefully with a full layer of paper between each one. Keep the box light enough to lift comfortably.
Before sealing any box, do the shake test. Pick it up and listen. If anything shifts, add more padding before closing.
Mirrors, Artwork, and TVs
Mirrors are the single most damaged item in UK house moves at 23% of all breakages. They’re awkward to carry, hard to cushion in a standard box, and often left until last when people are rushing.
For mirrors and framed art, apply painters’ tape in an X pattern across the glass surface first. This holds the glass in place if pressure is applied. Wrap the whole piece in bubble wrap with extra layers at the corners, then place it in a purpose-built mirror box or large wardrobe carton. Keep it upright at all times. Laying a mirror flat means the glass bears the full weight of whatever sits on top.
For TVs, photograph the back with all cables plugged in before disconnecting anything. Wrap the screen in bubble wrap, not a duvet or blanket. Soft furnishings shift in transit and offer uneven protection. Use the original box where possible. If that’s gone, specialist TV boxes with foam inserts are available from good removal suppliers.
The Fragile Items Most People Forget
The items that catch people out are the ones that don’t look fragile at first glance.
- Lampshades collapse under pressure. Box them separately with paper padding all round and mark the box clearly.
- Wine bottles need upright placement in purpose-built wine carriers or cells padded with heavy paper.
- Perfume bottles often have glass atomisers that snap. Wrap each one individually in bubble wrap.
- Printer ink cartridges can crack and leak. Seal them in a zip-lock bag before boxing.
- Plants in ceramic or terracotta pots need the pot wrapped even if the plant itself is fine.
One tip from our crews: pack your most fragile items on moving day after everything else is boxed, then load them first into the van so they sit at the front of the load. Away from the rear doors, and away from heavier items that shift during transit.
Moving in London: What Changes
Most general packing guides don’t mention this, but London moves have their own quirks. Our house removals crews deal with them daily.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces, which make up a large chunk of London’s housing stock, often have narrow hallways, steep staircases, and sharp turns at the landing. Your removal crew will carry boxes through these spaces, sometimes sideways or overhead. Fragile items packed in large, unwieldy boxes are harder to grip and control in tight spaces. Smaller boxes and tight packing make a real difference here.
Blocks of flats add another consideration. If the lift is compact, large mirrors and framed pieces may need handling separately or carried up the stairs. Always let your flat removals team know about lift dimensions or stair-only access before moving day. Parking restrictions across London often mean longer carries from the van to the front door. Well-packed boxes absorb those extra journeys.
When It’s Worth Getting a Professional to Pack Your Fragile Items
If you own antiques, artwork, a piano, or a collection of glassware and china, the question isn’t only how to pack fragile items. It’s whether you should pack them yourself at all.
Professional packers use materials that aren’t available in general shops: bespoke foam inlays, specialist wrapping tape that doesn’t leave residue, double-walled and triple-walled boxes, and purpose-built timber crates for high-value pieces. They also know how to load a van so fragile items travel without movement, buffered from heavier goods.
Our professional packing service covers all materials and typically takes a two-person team half a day for a full house. For irreplaceable or high-value items, including pianos and specialist pieces, it’s rarely a close call.
What Happens If the Removal Company Breaks Something?
This is a question most packing guides skip over entirely, but it matters, especially if you’re handing your belongings over to another company.
A reputable removal company carries goods-in-transit insurance, which covers your belongings while they’re in the van. Just Removals London includes goods-in-transit cover on every move as standard, along with £5m public liability insurance. If a member of our crew breaks something through mishandling, you’re covered.
The situation gets more complicated when you pack the boxes yourself. If something breaks inside a box you packed, the claim can become harder to resolve, because the damage may be attributed to inadequate packing rather than handling. It’s another reason why professional packing is worth considering for anything valuable or irreplaceable.
Before moving day, always ask your removal company to confirm their insurance terms in writing. Photograph valuable items beforehand and keep receipts where you have them.
A Pre-Seal Checklist for Every Box of Fragile Items
Run through this before you close any box of breakables:
- Bottom cushioned with 5 to 8 cm of bubble wrap or scrunched packing paper
- Every item individually wrapped, nothing touching another without padding between
- Hollow items (glasses, vases, jugs) stuffed with packing paper inside
- Plates standing vertically on their edge, not flat
- All gaps filled so nothing moves inside the box
- Box sealed securely on every seam, top and bottom
- FRAGILE written clearly on at least three sides
- THIS SIDE UP with an arrow pointing the correct direction
- Room destination and brief contents noted on the outside
For your most irreplaceable items, put them to one side on moving day and ask the crew to carry them in the cab rather than the back of the van.
Ready for Your Move?
Whether you’re happy to pack your fragile items yourself or want a professional team to handle everything, Just Removals London can help. We cover every London postcode, offer fixed prices with no hidden fees, and work 7 days a week including evenings and weekends. If you need short-term storage while you get settled, we can sort that too. Get a free, no-obligation quote today and we’ll talk you through exactly what your move needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often before a move.
What happens if the removal company breaks something during my move?
If a removal company causes damage through mishandling, their goods-in-transit insurance should cover it. Just Removals London includes goods-in-transit cover and £5m public liability insurance on every move as standard. Always confirm the exact terms with any company before booking, and photograph valuable items in advance in case you need to make a claim.
Should I pack fragile items myself or let the removal company do it?
For everyday crockery and general glassware, most people pack their own fragile items without problems. For antiques, artwork, pianos, high-value electronics, or anything irreplaceable, a professional packing service is worth serious consideration. Professional packers use specialist materials and techniques, and items they pack may be better protected under your removal company’s insurance.
Is bubble wrap or packing paper better for fragile items?
Both, used in the right order. Wrap items in unprinted packing paper first to protect surfaces from abrasion, then add a layer of bubble wrap for shock absorption. Using bubble wrap alone on ceramics or glassware can leave pressure marks. Using paper alone provides less cushioning. Together they work far better than either one on its own.
What’s the best way to pack plates for moving?
Pack plates vertically on their edge, not flat. Standing plates upright distributes pressure along the rim rather than across the flat face, which is where plates crack. Wrap each plate individually in packing paper and add cardboard dividers between every two or three. Use a small or medium box so the load stays manageable.
How do I pack a large mirror for moving?
Apply painters’ tape in an X across the glass surface first. This holds the glass together if the frame takes a knock. Wrap the whole mirror in bubble wrap with extra layers at the corners. Place it in a purpose-built mirror box or stand it upright inside a wardrobe carton with padding at the base and sides. Always carry and store mirrors vertically.
How far in advance should I pack fragile items before moving day?
Aim to have all glassware and crockery boxed at least 48 hours before moving day, using items you can live without in the meantime. Pack your most irreplaceable pieces a week ahead if possible so you’re not rushing on the day. Rushing fragile packing in the final hours before a move is one of the most common causes of breakage.