Box size is more important then you might think

Choosing the correct box size can be a lot like putting a puzzle together.  You may be tempted to stuff everything into a huge box you have lying around the house.  Many people mistake the importance of using the correct box size but are more important than you might guess.  I think we all expect a certain number of things to be lost, or get broken during a move.  In particular, once you get to the “burn-out” period and are just throwing things randomly into anything you have left.

As funny as it may sound, there is a very precise way of choosing and pack your boxes that will help ensure that everything makes it safely.  You don’t have to fear to lose your precious keepsakes or your beloved 80″ TV, all you have to do is research.  This may seem tedious, but the reality is, like with anything that you haven’t done every day, you have to learn how.

Make it instead of break it

Say, for instance, you are wondering how to pack your 5-foot marble cat sculpture.  You have a blanket lying around, some tape, some bubble-wrap, so you’re thinking: no problem, I got this.  As long as you don’t mind your tabby having 3 feet instead of 4, go for it.

How would Dielman do it?

An item like a large marble, glass or ceramic sculpture should almost always be created.  Ever wonder why art is shipped in that giant wooden box?  Most moving companies have crates but will not automatically bring them to every job, so let your dispatcher know if you think you might need one.

Some tricky items

Flat-screen televisions are very similar because they need special attention.  While there are no additional fees to move these, they are quite top-heavy, awkward and delicate.  The box must be padded at the base, the television freed from all temporary gear (stands, cables, etc), wrapped in paper and then use the electronic-friendly bubble-wrap (yes, there is such a thing), and then placed in a flat-screen box.  This box will be thin, long and short and is not designed to hold more than 1 television per box.

Mirrors require a specific box size as well.  They may not be as awkward as your flat-screen, but they will need some care to get them safely to your destination.  Mirror packs are appropriate for mirrors.  Square mirrors need their 4 corners padded.  Once padded, you can wrap it in bubble-wrap, preferably larger bubbles and then construct your box to fit the larger mirror and tape.  Two mirrors will fit into one box, but they must be packed back to back, this means facing away from each other.

Dishes and glasses

There is a fine line between fine china and fine china pieces and that line is value.  Whether it’s monetary or sentimental it doesn’t matter.  No one wants to put that much time packing glasses and plates if they know they won’t make it.  Why would you?

Dishes must go into a dish box.  It has thicker walls to specifically house breakable dishes and cup, vases and glasses, etc.  Generally more material means bigger price tag, but honestly, it would be way more of an issue to break all of your plates and potentially your foot by using a cheap box that can’t handle the weight.  Not to mention after all that work you put into wrapping each and every one.

So, you have your dish pack (or barrel), pad the bottom well so it can absorb shock, then wrap each piece in packing paper.  Lay them one by one into the box.  Leave a couple of inches at the top so you can pad it again.

Cups, vases, and mugs will have to have an insert that you can place into the dish pack.  Pad the bottom of the dish pack, place your first layer of the insert on the bottom.  Wrap each cup in wrapping paper, then place it upside down in an empty section.  Each “cup cubby” should have one item. Lay down the next flat divider and insert again and repeat until you’ve reached the top.  Pad the top before taping, and voila!

The rest of it

When it comes to the rest of it, picking the box size and making sure you don’t overload it is key.  “Book boxes” are for things exactly as the name suggests, that are small and heavy.  This could include your coin collection, silverware, small rock sculptures, or you know, books.   Can these items fit inside a large box?  Sure, but the key is not to overload large boxes with heavy stuff because either the box will break due too the excessive weight, you won’t be able to manage actually moving it, or the stuff inside will literally crush itself under its own weight.

Larger box sizes are made for the light and large items like blankets, pillows couch cushions etc.  That is not to say that you cannot put a heavier item in one, but if you do, then put that on the bottom and pad the top half with those light soft items.  Also, when mixing media inside a larger box, make sure that you fill it.  If your movers were to stack a box that was not all the way full, the box could collapse and you could end up losing more than that one.