Planning to move to a new house can be a stressful event at any time but learning how to tackle some of the more difficult things to pack can help to alleviate some of the stress you may feel, and nothing is more stressful than trying to figure out how to pack and move a chandelier!
While chandeliers may be an attractive addition to your home, and they are currently very popular with interior designers, there’s no doubt that moving these attractive lighting features is a daunting task and one that fills even the most experienced mover and packer with trepidation.
Plan Your Move
The most important part of your move when it comes to your precious chandelier is to plan in advance exactly when and how you are planning to move it before you start.
If you are using professional movers, it is worth letting them know that you have something both of value, and something that is highly breakable, to move and to mark the box accordingly (more on that later).
Planning when and how you are going to move your chandelier means that you will have the help that you will definitely need, as well as the materials that should mean your chandelier is safe on your moving journey.
Get Your Packing Materials Together
Once you’ve figured out how you’re going to move your chandelier, and you have made sure that you have the adequate assistance to move your chandelier, the next step is to make sure you have all of the appropriate materials to keep your chandelier safe on its journey and in it’s a storage area, should you need a local self-storage unit during your move.
While there are hundreds of ways to pack a chandelier, the materials you will need won’t deviate from this shortlist below:
- Ladders – You will need a set of ladders to get up to the chandelier on the ceiling. It’s worth noting that even if you are a tall person who can reach the ceiling without ladders, it’s best to be able to stand securely and concentrate on what you’re doing rather than overstretch yourself.
- Tools – It depends on your chandelier and how it’s fitted, but you will likely need tools such as screwdrivers and pliers to take the chandelier down from the ceiling.
- Packaging and Packing – You’ll need a sturdy box to pack your chandelier in ready for your move, this may be a plastic box or a cardboard box, but the most important thing is that it’s very strong. Along with a strongbox, you also need to consider how you will pack the chandelier, whether you use bubble wrap, paper, packing peanuts, or even popped popcorn to protect each part.
- Tape – Once your box is packed, you’ll need to tape it up securely; if you’re using a color-coded system, make sure you use the right color tape for where your chandelier should end up in your new house.
- Labels and Pens – Label your box clearly with exactly what’s inside, make sure you write ‘fragile’ on the box and give an indication as to which way up the box needs to be kept using arrows and the phrase ‘this way up’.
Take the Chandelier Down Carefully
Once you’ve gathered your materials and you are ready to pack your chandelier up, it’s time to take it down from the ceiling.
Before you even consider getting up on your ladders and beginning to dismantle your chandelier, you must turn off the electric feed to your chandelier either by turning off the lighting fuse circuit or securing off all of the electricity just to be on the safe side.
Failure to shut off the electricity to your chandelier may result in an electric shock.
Do get some help taking down your chandelier; even if it’s a small chandelier, it’s worth having an extra pair of hands to pass things to, and carefully take the chandelier down between you.
Take It Apart
Now that you have your chandelier off of the ceiling, it’s time to take it apart and get it ready for packing.
All chandeliers are different. Some are big, some are small, some are made of plastic, some are made of glass, but whatever material your chandelier is made of, you are more than likely going to have a lot of small parts and small items that go with your chandelier.
Use a Ziploc bag or a see-through tub to keep hold of the small items such as screws and rings to get lost on the journey.
Wrap and Pack Each Part
Even if your chandelier is made of plastic rather than glass, you should aim to wrap each part individually; this stops them rattling together and potentially breaking on your journey.
What you choose to wrap the parts of your chandelier in is up to you; usually, we recommend materials such as paper or packing peanuts, but a great eco-friendly option is to use popcorn as a packing material.
Don’t forget to pack all of the parts in the box, and it may be helpful to pack the smaller parts in bags or tubs within the box with a label on the outside to show where the parts go or on to which part of the chandelier they belong. You will need this when you come to put it back together again on the other side.
Secure the Box and Move!
Once you have each part of your chandelier securely wrapped and all of the small parts placed in bags or tubs within your chosen box, it’s time to tape up your box.
Make sure you use strong tape, and we would recommend using tape even on plastic boxes just for added security.
It is perfectly acceptable to use strong packing tape on the box and then use fragile tape over the top just to show your movers that this box is particularly fragile.
Don’t forget to label your box with exactly what is contained within it clearly.