At STI Moving & Storage, we know that packing lamps for a move can be difficult, time-consuming and risky because they are fragile and need to be packed with care to avoid damage.

Lamps and light bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes, which can make them harder to move safely. Their wide shades, tall bases and other delicate parts can break easily, so it’s important to pack them properly to help them reach your new home in good condition.

Before you read on, don’t worry!

We’ve put together a handful of valuable tips to show you how to pack your lamps and lampshades safely so they make it through the move without damage.

Read on for all the tips and details to ensure your lamp collection arrives in one piece at your new home, ready to light up and decorate your space.

What Supplies You Need to Pack Lamps for Moving

Packing lamps for moving requires careful planning so the process goes smoothly and no lumens are lost!

Jokes aside, start by gathering the necessary materials to protect your fragile items while avoiding unnecessary waste.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following supplies:

  • A moving box that’s large enough to hold the lampshade
  • Another box for the lamp base
  • Plastic bags
  • Plain packing paper
  • Bubble wrap, packing foam, packing peanuts or any other cushioning material
  • Elastic bands
  • Packing tape
  • Scissors
  • Permanent markers for labeling the boxes
  • Old towels to wrap lamp parts if you want to save on packing paper and cushioning materials

Choose the Right Packing Boxes for Your Lamps

Choosing a strong box in the right size is important for packing your lamps safely.

You can often find free square or rectangular boxes at local retail stores. However, these standard boxes may not be the right fit for every lamp.

If the standard boxes don’t fit your lamps, it’s worth buying boxes from a moving company. This allows you to choose the right size and shape for each lamp. If you only need packing supplies, you can also get those from the moving professionals.

Remember to measure all your lamps before buying the boxes, as experts recommend. The better the boxes fit, the more secure your lamps will be during the move.

Dismantle Lamps Before Packing

The first step is to take the lamp apart. It’s important to work on one lamp at a time. Avoid dismantling multiple lamps at once to prevent their parts from getting mixed up.

Of course, before you begin, you need to:

  • Unplug the lamp from the wall
  • Wrap the power cord neatly and secure it with an elastic band
  • Remove the cap or finial from the top of the lamp that holds the lampshade in place
  • Set the cap or finial aside after removing it
  • Lift the lampshade off the lamp base
  • Unscrew and remove the light bulb
  • Secure the wrapped power cord to the lamp base
  • If your lamp has metal screws or a shade riser, remove those as well

Taking the lamp apart and packing each piece separately is essential to help protect every part during the move.

Pack the Small Pieces

Place the cap, shade riser and screws in plastic bags, then label them to make sure they don’t get lost during the move. Otherwise, you may have to look for replacement parts.

Pack Light Bulbs

The next item to pack is the light bulb, as you don’t want it rolling around while you’re handling the other parts.

  • Gently wrap the light bulb in bubble wrap
  • Secure the wrapping with tape to keep it in place
  • Place it in a box that’s large enough to fit
  • Add enough packing paper or foam when placing the light bulbs in the box
  • Fill any empty spaces so the bulbs can’t move around
  • Place an extra layer of bubble wrap or packing material on top before sealing the box
  • Label the box as “Fragile” so you or your movers handle it with extra care during the move

A quick word of caution: Experts say some light bulbs may contain mercury, which can be harmful if the bulb breaks. If that’s the case, don’t pack or transport them unless you know how to handle them safely and follow the proper guidelines.

If you have bulbs that shouldn’t be moved, dispose of them properly, just as you would with CFL bulbs and buy new ones after you move to your new home.

how to pack lamps for moving

Pack Lampshades

Next, pack the lampshades. They are delicate and can easily tear, bend or get stained, so handle them with care.

  • Make sure your hands are clean and dry to avoid leaving stains on the lampshades.
  • Wrap each lampshade separately using plain packing paper.
  • Use plain packing paper instead of newspaper, as newspaper ink can transfer onto the lampshade and leave permanent marks.
  • Pack each lampshade in its own box that fits it well. If needed, you can place a smaller lampshade inside a larger one, as long as both are wrapped properly and fit comfortably.
  • Pack silk lampshades one at a time to help prevent the fabric from getting damaged.
  • Don’t pack anything else in the same box as the lampshade.
  • Place each lampshade upside down inside its box.
  • Fill any empty spaces with packing paper, wrapping material or soft items like old socks, towels, or sheets to keep the lampshade from moving around.
  • Before sealing the box, make sure it doesn’t press down on the lampshade.
  • Don’t pack the box too tightly, as this can change the shape of the lampshade.
  • Label every box containing lampshades and store them in a safe place until it’s time to move.

Next up, pack the lamp bases.

  • Once again, use bubble wrap or another air-cushioning material to fully wrap each lamp base.
  • If the base is made of a delicate material, such as glass or porcelain, add a layer of packing paper between the base and the bubble wrap for extra protection.
  • Unlike lampshades, it’s perfectly fine to pack multiple lamp bases in the same box.
  • Fill any remaining space in the box with wrapping material or foam to keep the lamp parts secure.

Pack Table Lamps

If your table lamp has multiple parts, pack it using the same steps described above:

  • Take it apart
  • Wrap each piece
  • Secure everything
  • Pack it safely

Handle each piece separately.

What about a table lamp that can’t be taken apart?

  • Start by unplugging it.
  • Wrap the power cord around the lamp base.
  • Tuck the end of the cord into the wrapped cable to keep it secure.
  • Remove the light bulb and pack it separately.
  • Wrap the entire lamp in bubble wrap, leaving extra padding at both ends for added protection.
  • Place the lamp upright in a box that’s tall enough to fit it.
  • You can pack more than one table lamp in the same box.
  • Fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts, foam or other cushioning material.
  • Once everything is secure, seal and label the box.
  • Add a “This Side Up” label.

Pack Floor Lamps

One way to pack a floor lamp is to take it apart into smaller pieces and pack each one separately.

If you prefer to move your floor lamp in one piece, follow these steps:

  • Remove the light bulb and pack it separately.
  • Wrap the entire lamp in a moving blanket and secure it with tape for added protection.
  • Choose a safe position for the lamp inside the moving vehicle. Lay it flat or place it between two heavy items to keep it from moving during transport.

Pack a Chandelier

In addition to the packing materials needed for moving lamps safely, packing a chandelier requires a strong, corrugated box with a reinforced bottom that is sturdy enough to support both the chandelier and the packing foam around it.

Where should you start?

  • Detach the chandelier from the ceiling.
  • Remove any chains, candle cups, prisms, arms and other detachable parts.
  • Wrap each piece separately and place them in a moving box.
  • Label the box as “Chandelier Parts.”
  • Wrap any wires or cords attached to the chandelier.
  • Place the chandelier in a reinforced box with protective packing material around the entire fixture, then label the box.
  • Avoid placing anything heavy on top of the chandelier box.

Label & Tape Boxes

Here are a few extra tips to make sure your lamp boxes are labeled properly:

  • Don’t forget to mark boxes containing delicate items as “Fragile” or “This Side Up.”
  • Write the room where the lamp belongs on each box.
  • Label the boxes with their contents, such as “Lampshade” or “Lamp Base.”
  • Also, mark the “Top” and “Bottom” of each box.

When sealing the boxes with tape, it’s best to use two strips:

  • One strip in a vertical direction
  • One strip in a horizontal direction

Packing Lampshades & Lamps

Packing lamps and lampshades for a move doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the right steps and using the proper packing materials, you can help protect your lighting fixtures and make sure they arrive safely at your new home.

Follow this step-by-step guide to pack your lamps with confidence and make your move a little easier.

If you’d rather leave the packing and moving to the professionals, the experienced team at STI Moving & Storage is here to help. We take extra care when handling fragile lamps and lighting fixtures, from careful packing to safe transportation, so they reach your new home in excellent condition.

Call 847-675-1223 or request a free online quote today to get started.