Packing for a move is no easy feat. Moving is a transitional period filled with excitement and apprehension. But putting your entire life into boxes is emotionally and physically overwhelming. For various reasons, you may struggle to fit all the items into boxes. Maybe they’re too full, or perhaps they’re oddly shaped—such as a lampshade. If you’re overwhelmed and need expert guidance on how to pack your moving boxes, rest assured that Maffucci Moving is here to help. 

At Maffucci Moving, we take great pride in our top-of-the-line services, ensuring our customers have everything they need during this transitional period. Our mission is to handle each move with the utmost care and respect, just as we would expect a mover to do with our own belongings. As a family-owned and operated business, we treat each customer like a member of our own family, ensuring you feel valued and respected throughout your moving journey. 

Prepping for the Move

Before you do anything else pertaining to the move, you have to get organized. One of the easiest methods to get to a place where you feel ready to start packing is decluttering. Deciding what you want to keep and what can be donated or tossed gives you an idea of the supplies you’ll need to purchase. This is a critical step, as having enough supplies is crucial to keeping even your most delicate items, including lampshades, safe during a move. Here’s what we recommend you purchase:

• Sturdy cartons
• Tissue paper
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Markers 

Safely Packing a Lampshade

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary supplies, you’re ready to pack. Our other blogs offer advice on the most efficient packing methods and more. Let’s examine how to pack a lampshade safely.

1. Unplug the lamp.
   First things first, turn off and unplug the lamp. This will limit the risk of the lamp shorting out or any other electrical accident from occurring.
2. Remove the lampshade.
   Then, remove the lampshade from the base. Note that a screw secures some lampshades; to remove it, you’ll need to unscrew it from the top first. From there, remove the light bulb and lamp hard. If your lamp uses incandescent lamps, throw them away, as they most likely will break in transit. For other bulbs like CFL or LEDs, wrap them in bubble wrap and place them with your other fragile items.
3. Wrap the lampshade.
   Wrap the lampshade in a pillowcase, towel, or tissue paper. Avoid using newspaper to protect the lampshade, as the print may rub off. Multilayered paper wraps, AKA paper pads, are suitable for safeguarding oversized items. Set the wrapped shade aside and prepare a sturdy carton at least two inches larger than your lampshade.
4. Pack the lampshade.
   Line the shade with clean paper and place it on crumpled paper to create a protective layer, but not around the shade. Fill empty space with packing paper or peanuts to steady the lampshade. If not silk, place a smaller shade nested inside the larger one with a layer of paper between them. Otherwise, pack them separately and avoid packing other items with them.
5. Seal and label the box.
   Once situated securely, close the box and tape it shut. Label it as fragile, and note that you should handle it carefully. Do not place heavy items in the box—always put them on top of stacks.

Lampshade Packing FAQs

Getting organized to pack doesn’t need to be complicated. Even though lampshades require specific requirements to ensure their safety during the move, the process is fairly straightforward. To learn more about packing lampshades, look at frequently asked questions we’ve encountered over the years. We’re here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible for you. 

Can I pack multiple lampshades together, or should they be packed individually?

While you should never pack lampshades and bases, you can pack shades together depending on the materials. Silk or leaded glass should be packed with extra cushion. Wrap same-material shades separately and nest them together if they are of different sizes, from largest to smallest. 

How do I prevent lampshades from getting crushed or losing shape?

To prevent lampshades from getting crushed or misshapen, always place the box they’re in on top of others. Putting them under heavier boxes may cause them to be crushed. Ensuring the box is snuggly fit inside the moving vehicle will keep it from shifting during transport. If you can, put them in another spot where they won’t get jostled or potentially knocked off and dented. 

Should I disassemble the lamps before packing?

Before packing, disassemble the lamp and wrap each part separately. First, turn off and unplug the lamp. Then, remove the lightbulbs since they are most likely to get broken. After that, the lampshade is unscrewed, and the electric cord is wrapped around the base. Cover the electric plug with foam or a small towel to stop it from scratching other items. Put all small pieces into a bag and place that bag into the box with the base to avoid losing them. 

What’s the best way to label packed lampshades?

There are many ways to label packed lampshades. You can label the box as fragile or delicate and note that it should be handled with care. Also, be sure to label the contents of the box, what room it belongs in, and which end should be faced up. If packing multiple lamps, label the sturdy carton with the base and the carton with the corresponding shade as “1” so you remember which goes together. Continue until you have labeled all the lamps.

Are there special considerations for fragile or antique lampshades?

Yes, there are special considerations for fragile/antique lampshades. Because they’re delicate, select reinforced packing materials, pack them separately, and be especially careful when loading them into moving boxes. We recommend using corrugated boxes, packing peanuts, or industrial-grade bubble wrap. The remaining steps are the same as packing regular lampshades. 

Moving Means More with Maffucci

Consider hiring a professional moving service to simplify the moving process and minimize worry. A full-service mover such as Maffucci is uniquely qualified to help you at every turn. From decluttering to organizing, packing to loading, and even unpacking, our team can do it all. For more than 100 years, we’ve been assisting individuals and families to make meaningful moves while keeping their most delicate items safe. 

To ensure your lampshades arrive safely—let Maffucci Moving’s experts handle the packing! Contact us today for a free quote.