Tips to packing lamps for transit

Packing lamps for a move can be tricky! They are delicate objects, and if you don't pack them correctly, they're prone to damage in transit. These household staples pose a couple of problems for packers: they’re fragile, usually have multiple parts and are almost always oddly shaped. 

To help you out, here are a few tips on how to pack lamps piece by piece - so your fixtures (and your sanity) show up in one piece! 

It’s important to wrap each piece of your lamp separately. Therefore, your first step will be to take it apart: 

Tips for packing light bulbs 

Individually wrap each light bulb in air-filled plastic padding and secure the padding with tape. Pack all bulbs together in one box and use packing paper or more air-filled plastic padding to fill in any gaps - so the bulbs don’t shift around and break. 

Set up a box with specialty dividers you usually use for packing up glasses in your kitchen. Wrap each bulb in a layer of air-filled plastic padding and then pack them into the dividers - one per slot! Add a layer of air-filled plastic padding over the top before sealing the box shut. 

Whether you opt for option one or two, remember to label your box(es) as “fragile” so you or your movers know to be extra careful with them. 

Pro Tip: incandescent bulbs cannot be shipped. They're filled with mercury, which is highly toxic if spilled.  

Wrap each base in packing paper, adding a layer of air-filled plastic wrap if the base is a delicate material like glass or porcelain. If you use plastic padding, remember to secure it with tape. 

Pro Tip: You can probably get away with packing multiple bases in one box. Just be sure not to rest anything on top of the upper part of the lamp (the area where you screw in the bulb and attach the shade) - you don’t want any metal getting bent out of shape!