A “FRAGILE” label won’t help much if the glasses inside a carton can knock against each other. And a sofa wrapped carefully for the truck can still be awkward to get through a narrow stairwell.
Furniture, framed artwork and mirrors, crockery and glassware, televisions, and lamps all need different protection. These five categories are not a ranking of Palmers warranty claims. They’re a practical list of belongings to check while you’re planning the move, especially if you’re deciding what to pack yourself and what to leave to a packing team.
1. Furniture: check the route out of the house
A timber table might need protection at its corners; an upholstered lounge needs its fabric protected. Both also have to get through the doors, stairs and lift before they reach the vehicle.
Walk the route and flag any tight turns, narrow doorways or lift bookings when you ask for a quote. If a piece looks difficult to move, send a photo and its dimensions. Palmers can assess whether it should travel assembled or be taken apart as part of the agreed plan.
Don’t assume every flat-pack item should be dismantled. Palmers sometimes advises that certain IKEA bookcases are better moved assembled. Ask about the particular item and access before taking it apart. Empty cupboards and drawers unless your moving specialist has told you what can safely stay in that piece; the answer depends on its construction, contents and how it will be carried.
If you’re packing it yourself: keep tape off finished surfaces and use protection suited to the material. Tell the crew about loose doors, glass shelves or existing damage before lifting starts.
2. Artwork and mirrors: tell us what the surface is
A framed print behind glass, a stretched canvas and a heavy mirror may look similar on an inventory, but they should not automatically be packed the same way. Pressure on a canvas can mark the work; unprotected corners and glass can break during handling.
Give Palmers the dimensions and a photo, particularly for a large or valuable piece. Mention whether it has glass, a painted surface, an unusual frame or a mounting that needs attention. That lets the team discuss a suitable picture carton or specialist protection before moving day. Palmers’ packing materials include options for artwork and other fragile belongings.
If you are packing the piece yourself, don’t press adhesive tape or bubble wrap directly against artwork. Ask for item-specific advice when the surface or value makes you unsure.
3. Crockery and glassware: stop movement inside the carton
The test is simple: the contents shouldn’t rattle when the closed carton is gently moved. Use a strong carton, cushion its base and wrap individual pieces so glass or ceramic surfaces do not knock together. Plates are generally packed on their edges with protection between them. Fill remaining gaps with suitable packing material, without forcing the lid shut.
There is no magic number of plates to bundle together. A thin dinner plate, a heavy serving platter and a stemmed glass call for different handling. Mark the carton with its contents and destination room so it can be placed and unpacked deliberately.
If the kitchen is the part you’re least keen to pack, Palmers can handle just the breakables as a partial packing service. You can pack the rest of the home yourself.
4. TV’s: protect the screen, not just the corners
Tell the moving specialist the TV’s size and whether you still have its original packaging. A screen needs support and protection from pressure; wrapping a blanket around the outside is not always a complete packing plan. Palmers’ packing service has purpose-designed TV cartons and specialist materials available when the item calls for them.
Before disconnecting, photograph the connections if that will help you set everything up again. Pack remotes, cables and small fittings together in a labelled bag or carton. Discuss any unusual screen, stand or wall mount before move day so it is included in the agreed scope.
5. Lamps and decorative pieces: one box rarely suits everything
A lamp base can be heavy while its shade is easy to crush. Separate and protect the parts rather than leaving the whole lamp assembled in a large carton. A vase with a narrow neck or a delicate ornament may also need support around its shape, not just a layer of paper on the outside.
Flag unusually large, delicate or valuable pieces in your inventory. If you are unsure how to pack one, show it to your moving specialist. It is easier to plan a suitable carton or other protection before the team arrives than to improvise beside a half-packed box.
What should you tell Palmers before the move?
Point out the items that need more than ordinary carton packing, along with any tight access, stairs or lift arrangements. Photos can help. Then decide whether you’ll pack those belongings yourself or ask Palmers to handle some or all of them. The team offers full packing, partial packing and fragile-item preparation for local, interstate and international moves.
A note about plants: don’t assume a potted plant can travel with the household goods. Palmers’ current FAQ excludes living plants from local moves and lists plants among prohibited goods for international moves. Interstate biosecurity rules depend on the route. Ask the team about the move’s policy and check the Australian Interstate Quarantine guidance before planning to take a plant across a border.
If you want additional protection for eligible belongings, ask what Palmers Protect+ covers, its conditions and cost. It is an optional extended warranty, so review the terms rather than assuming every item is “fully insured.”
Discuss your move with Palmers and tell us which items you would like help packing.