1300 303 333How to Pack Lamps and Light Fixtures for Moving
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Start with four separate parts
Pack a lamp as four separate parts: base, shade, bulb and loose hardware. Unplug it, let the bulb cool, remove the shade and bulb, photograph how everything fits, then bag the finial, harp and screws. Give the base and shade separate cartons. That simple order stops a heavy base from punching through a shade and keeps small fittings from disappearing.
For a light wired into a ceiling or wall, arrange for a licensed electrician to disconnect it before packing day. A removalist can protect and carry a loose fitting, but electrical disconnection sits outside the packing job.
Choose boxes before wrapping anything
Set aside one tall carton for each floor-lamp base and one clean carton for each large shade. Two small, sturdy cartons will usually cover bulbs and hardware from several lamps, as long as you divide and label the contents. You also need packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, zip bags and a marker.
Choose cartons that leave roughly 5–8 centimetres around the base for cushioning. Too little space sends knocks straight into the lamp; too much lets it gather speed inside the box. Use clean packing paper against painted, brass or ceramic surfaces, then add bubble wrap outside it. Never let tape touch the finish. Newspaper can mark pale fabric and ceramic, so keep it out of shade and base cartons.
Photograph, label and bag the small parts
Take one full photo of the lamp, then close-ups of the shade attachment, cord path and any washers or spacers. Number the lamp on a piece of masking tape placed on its cord, not on the lamp itself. Put every loose part into a zip bag with the same number and pack all hardware bags in one clearly marked small box.
Coil the cord loosely at the base and secure the coil to itself with a cable tie or soft string. Pulling it tight around the lamp can strain the entry point. If a floor lamp breaks down into stem sections, wrap each section on its own and label their order. Stop when a joint resists. Forcing a seized thread creates more trouble than moving the lamp in a longer carton.
Box bases so they cannot shift
Build a firm paper cushion across the bottom of the carton. Wrap the base in two or three layers of clean paper, add bubble wrap around fragile ceramic or glass, and lower it upright into the centre. Fill every side evenly with scrunched paper. The packed base should stay put when you gently rock the closed carton.
Do not put a cast-metal or stone base in the same carton as its shade. For a pair of small table lamps, one divided carton can work if a rigid wall runs from the bottom to the top and neither base can touch the other. Keep the carton within a weight one person can control. Mark two sides with the room, lamp number, “fragile” and “this way up”.
Let shades sit alone in clean cartons
Handle a fabric shade by its metal frame rather than squeezing the sides. Line a clean carton with paper, sit the shade upright and add loose paper around the outside. Keep pressure off the fabric. Avoid tight bubble wrap on fabric shades because it can crease the material, and never fill the hollow centre with heavy items.
Do not nest shades unless they have the same shape and slip together without pressure. Put a clean sheet of paper between them if you do. Glass shades need individual paper and bubble-wrap layers, plus dividers so no two pieces meet. Use a separate cell for each bulb as well. If a specialty bulb has a matching fixture, label both with the same number rather than relying on memory at the new home.
Treat pendants and chandeliers as assemblies
Photograph a pendant or chandelier from several angles before anyone removes a crystal, arm or shade. Give every detachable piece a number that matches the main fitting. Wrap prisms and glass drops one by one, divide them inside a small carton, and place that carton beside the fixture rather than inside an open frame.
Support chains and cables in loose coils. Do not wind them around decorative arms. Cushion the body inside a strong carton and prevent the arms from taking the load. An unusually large or delicate fitting may need a custom carton or crate, so measure it before moving day. Primove can supply boxes, blankets, shrink wrap and tape when packing forms part of the move; photos and dimensions help us plan for an awkward fitting.
Keep lamp cartons upright on moving day
Place lamp and shade cartons together in a low-traffic area before loading starts. In a Brisbane unit, keep them clear of lift doors and corridors until the crew has a direct path. A shade carton takes up useful space but cannot carry weight on top, so clear labels help the loader give it a protected position.
Heat matters too. Do not leave candles, adhesives or delicate plastic fittings in a closed car while it sits in Queensland sun. For an interstate move, use the same packing method but add firmer void fill and recheck every carton after the first gentle rock test. Carry rare bulbs or irreplaceable glass pieces with you if you can store them securely. At delivery, open shade and hardware cartons on a clear table, match the numbers to your photos and check every part before reassembly.
Moving can be an incredibly stressful experience, but Primove made it much more manageable. My family and I recently booked them to help us move to a new house; from the beginning, it felt like we had nothing to worry about. The customer service was excellent – the team responded quickly to our questions and requests, despite how busy they were. They also took great care to ensure all our items were transported safely and arrived in the exact condition we left them in. Highly recommend Primove to anyone looking for an efficient, reliable and stress-free move!
Natalie Herber
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