How To Pack the Dining Room

Start with an initial sort. As with any move, you should first go through your dining room and sort out any items that you no longer want. Consider passing them on to less fortunate families, or hand them down to other family members that will get more use out of them. You want your new dining room to contain all of your most valuable things, so don't start out by cluttering it with your old and dated things.

Pack fragile items carefully. Your dining room is probably home to your crystal, your stemware and your good china, among other valuable (and fragile) things. You need to take extra special care when packing these items so that they will not chip or break during the move. Pack each glass piece individually using paper or bubble wrap. And for glasses, use dishpack boxes that have cellular dividers in them to ensure that no two pieces will touch each other and risk damage. Flat plates and bowls can generally be stacked one they have been protected with paper, but be aware of the weight of these pieces on the bottom few dishes. Only pack what you (and your dishes) can bear in any single box.

Box up your silverware and flatware. Silverware and silver pieces (including flatware) can tarnish is exposed to certain conditions. To keep your silver looking its best during and after a move, you should wrap it in some sort of plastic wrap or newsprint. This will prevent it from tarnishing. Pack all of your silver together so that it doesn't damage other fragile objects. And use shredded paper or packing peanuts to fill empty voids in your dining room moving boxes so that your items will stay snugly in place.

Pack up your other dining room accessories. If you have a lamp in your dining room, be sure to wrap the base in a towel or plastic wrap. This will prevent scratches and dents. As well, remove the light bulb prior to moving any lamps or light fixtures, and pack each lamp shade and fixture separately with lots of packing materials to cushion and protect the piece. Wrapping an elastic around the cord will keep your lamp tidy and prevent any trips and snags.

Rugs need only be rolled up and secured with a few old belts. If a rug will be transported outside, it is a good idea to cover it in plastic as well. A few re-purposed garbage bags should do the trick.

You will also want to find some thin boxes in which to pack your larger pictures, prints and mirrors. A moving supply store will have these in stock. Wall hangings need to be packed individually so that they can be transported safely to your new dining room without breaking any glass or chipping any frames.

Take care to protect your furniture. Your larger furniture should be empty before you attempt to move it out of your dining room. Take out any drawers and wrap them individually in old blankets or towels. (You may want to label where each drawer came from, so you can easily return it to its exact place in the piece of furniture at your new home.)Take some time to secure all of the doors in your dining room cabinets so that they won't shift or open while being moved. You may prefer to shrink-wrap your dining room furniture in preparation for a move but this is not necessary. A few thick blankets secured tightly around your furniture will ensure all of it arrives unharmed in your new dining room.