How to Pack Fragile Items When Moving in Sydney

Why Proper Packing Matters

Chipped glassware, a cracked TV screen, or a damaged piece of art can turn an otherwise smooth move sour — and it's almost always down to rushed packing or the wrong materials, not bad luck. With a bit of planning (and the right technique), your fragile items can travel across Sydney without a scratch.

6–8 Weeks Before Moving Day: Get Prepared Early

1. Gather quality packing materials

Gather sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, packing paper, and dividers for glassware.

2. Sort your fragile items

Decide what's actually worth the extra care versus what can be sold, donated, or replaced.

3. Make a fragile inventory

Make a quick inventory list of your genuinely valuable or sentimental pieces — art, china, and electronics — so nothing gets lost in the shuffle on moving day.

2–4 Weeks Before: Pack Smart, Not Hard

1. Wrap items individually

Wrap items individually rather than stacking them loose. Plates should go in vertically, like records rather than stacked flat, which makes them far more resistant to pressure.

2. Cushion every box

Use a soft base layer — towels, packing paper, or bubble wrap — in the bottom of every box before adding fragile items, and fill any gaps so nothing shifts in transit.

3. Label fragile boxes clearly

Label every fragile box clearly on the top and sides — “FRAGILE, THIS WAY UP” — so it's obvious no matter how the box gets turned.

4. Match box size to weight

Small, heavy items such as books and glassware belong in small boxes; large, light items belong in bigger ones.

Moving Week: Handle with Care

1. Prepare electronics

Back up your data and take photos of cable setups before disconnecting electronics — it makes reassembly painless.

2. Protect artwork and mirrors

Use corner protectors, then sandwich artwork and mirrors between two pieces of cardboard for the trip.

3. Wrap awkward items individually

Wrap ceramics, plants, and anything oddly shaped individually rather than grouping them together in one box.

4. Recheck apartment access

If you're in an apartment, double-check your building's lift booking and loading dock hours so fragile boxes aren't left waiting in a corridor.

Moving Day: Trust the Process

1. Prepare the remaining items

Unplug and prep any remaining appliances, and take anything fragile off the walls yourself if you'd rather handle it personally.

2. Brief your movers

Talk to your movers before they start. Point out which boxes are fragile and flag any awkward items such as glass tabletops or terrace staircases they'll need to navigate.

3. Keep irreplaceable items with you

Keep your most valuable or irreplaceable items with you rather than on the truck.

4. Complete a final walkthrough

Check every room, including built-in wardrobes and under-stair storage, which are easy to forget in Sydney's older terraces and semis.

After the Move: Unpack with Confidence

1. Unpack carefully

Take your time unpacking fragile boxes — there's no prize for rushing, and it's the easiest way to still break something after the move is technically done.

2. Recycle your boxes

Flatten your boxes and we'll recycle them through our free collection service.

3. Check each item

Give everything a once-over as you unpack so any damage gets flagged and photographed straight away.