Boxes are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of moving – square or rectangular cardboard boxes.
Corrugated cardboard boxes are indeed your best friend when packing for a move – they provide an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to pack your items for shipping and transport them to your new home safely and efficiently. Yet, there are some objects that do not fit in a regular shaped box and leave you confused as to how to protect them during your move.
Packing awkward items for moving is a great challenge that requires not only time and effort, but also some creativity – you need to find an effective solution, a way to ensure the safety of your irregularly shaped belongings during the trip to your new home.
If you’re not sure how to achieve this feat, the following ideas on how to pack odd shaped items for moving will be of great help.
How to pack awkward items – the general process
When packing oddly shaped items for moving, you need to carefully think through every stage of the process and take care of every little detail:
- Get the right packing materials – brand new, large and sturdy cardboard boxes; soft packing paper; plenty of bubble wrap; foam sheets and styrofoam peanuts; old towels, sheets, and blankets; strong packing tape; etc.
- Protect the odd-shaped items – Disassemble larger pieces as much as possible, place cushioning materials inside hollow places, protect protruding parts with bubble wrap, wrap the entire items in packing paper, bubble wrap, or foam sheeting, and use packing tape to hold the wrapping in place.
- Put the items in large boxes or custom size boxes:
- If the item can fit into a large box, your best option is to pack it into a carton that accommodates its largest dimensions, even though there may remain a lot of excess space;
- If the item won’t fit in any standard size box, you’re going to need a custom size carton. You can find more details on where to get odd size boxes later in the article.
- Add protective padding – Pad the bottom of the box with an old towel or blanket (or several layers of bubble wrap), put the properly wrapped odd-shaped object inside the carton, and fill all the remaining empty space with cushioning materials so the item is securely nestled in the box. You can use bubble wrap or crumpled paper for light, delicate items, old towels or blankets for heavier pieces, and foam sheets or packing peanuts for more valuable articles. You can even cut custom styrofoam inserts to provide optimal protection to very expensive and highly treasured items. Don’t forget to add a protective layer of bubble wrap on top of the object before closing the lid of the box.
- Make sure the item is well cushioned and completely immobile inside the box and tape the carton securely shut (be sure to reinforce the bottom and the edges of the box with tape as well);
- Label the box with its contents and write any necessary handling instructions (“THIS SIDE UP”, “HANDLE WITH CARE”, etc.) in big, bold letters.
How to make custom size boxes
It’s only logical that when packing unusual shaped items, you’re going to need unusual shaped boxes. The only question is where to get them.
Your best option is to hire professional packers and request custom crating services – the pros will make custom shaped cardboard boxes or custom size wooden boxes for your awkward items, ensuring their safety and your peace of mind.
If you prefer to pack your belongings yourself though, you will most likely need to build suitable boxes yourself as well (as it will be very difficult – or even impossible – to find the right size packing containers for your needs).
Fortunately, making odd size boxes is not overly complicated – you just need to be careful and to know what you’re doing.
How to make an extra tall box:
- Take two tall, sturdy cardboard boxes which are each about half the height of the item to be packed;
- Put your properly wrapped awkward item in one of the boxes;
- Raise the lid flaps of the carton and tape the edges so that you have an open-topped box;
- Slip the second box over the top of the item and slide it as far down as possible – it will slide over the bottom carton, creating an extra tall, extra sturdy packing container;
- Seal the two boxes securely together.
How to make an extra wide box:
- Take a large, rectangular box and tape up the top;
- Cut along the edges of one of the long sides of the carton and remove the cut piece, so that you have an open-sided box;
- Put your odd-shaped item in the box;
- Take another box of the same size, tape it shut, and cut along one long edge and the two shorter edges of one of its long sides, so the side becomes a flap that can open and close;
- Open the flap, slip the box over the item in the first carton, and slide it as far as it will go – the second box will slide over the first one, creating an extra wide, extra sturdy packing container;
- Seal the two boxes together.
Making double stacked cartons is a simple yet efficient technique for creating extra tall or extra wide, strong boxes that can accommodate very tall, very long, or very wide items.
If neither of these methods works for a specific odd-shaped item, you can simply flatten out a large cardboard box, put the item on top of it, fold the edges of the cardboard piece around the object, then flatten a second box the same way, put it over the item, fold the edges around, and tape the two cardboard pieces securely together (you may need to use four flattened boxes if the item is particularly large). This way, you can create highly customizable protective cases that can be snugly adjusted around your awkwardly shaped belongings.
Even custom size packing boxes, however, won’t provide an efficient packing solution for all kinds of odd shaped items – some things simply do not belong in a box. All you can do is wrap them as safely as possible (protect delicate elements and protruding parts with bubble wrap, then wrap the entire piece in moving blankets and secure the protective coverings with packing tape or plastic wrap) and handle them with care during the move. When it comes to extremely valuable odd shaped items – such as an antique grandfather clock, for example – your best bet is to pack them in custom-built wooden crates.
How to pack odd shaped items – specific tips
When packing odd-shaped items for moving, you need to be aware of their specifics and take appropriate measures to provide them with the best possible protection during your move:
- When packing hollow objects, be sure to stuff cushioning materials inside the hollow space for extra support;
- When packing round objects, make sure they fit properly in the boxes without bulging out at the sides. Use as much cushioning as needed to fill the extra space in the boxes and prevent the items from shifting or moving around inside the packing containers during transit;
- When packing large cylindrical objects (such as rug rolls, for example), you can wrap them in Kraft paper and put them in large plastic bags instead of placing them in boxes. The same applies to very large round items (like car tires) as well;
- When packing long objects, keep in mind that the item can easily snap or break during transit and be sure to add support to the midsection and the halfway points between each of the ends and the middle section. It is a good idea to tape thin pieces of Styrofoam or wood dowel along the length of the object to act as a brace and cover the entire item in a thick layer of bubble wrap, adding an extra layer around the weaker points and the ends.
Be sure to provide additional protection to delicate elements and fragile parts when packing odd shaped items for moving!
You can find more specific tips for packing awkward items for moving by following the links below:
How to pack furniture for moving – bed, sofa, desk, table, wardrobe, bookcase, china cabinet, antique furniture
How to pack appliances for moving – refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, stove, vacuum cleaner
How to pack fragile items for moving – electronics, plates, glasses, vases, lamps, chandeliers, mirrors
How to pack artwork for moving – pictures, figurines, trophies
How to pack specialty items for moving – grandfather clock, piano, pool table, gym equipment, golf clubs, fishing rods, tools, lawn mower
Good to remember:
- Packing awkward items is a difficult and time-consuming process;
- Unusually shaped items are at great risk of damage during a house move;
- Professional movers won’t assume liability for items you have packed yourself.
Therefore, it’s best to have odd-shaped items professionally packed – so they have a better chance to survive the trip intact and unscathed (and you save yourself a lot of time, effort, and headaches).
How to move awkward items
When moving odd shaped items, you’re strongly advised to hire professional movers to do the job for you – the experts have the specialized equipment, rich experience, and expert know-how to relocate unusually shaped objects in the safest and most efficient way possible. Just make sure you inform your chosen company of any awkward items you have for moving in advance, so that they come prepared with the right protective materials and moving equipment (and consider getting additional insurance for your odd-shaped items – just in case).
If you want to move without professional help, you will have to be extra careful with your awkward items:
- Measure the dimensions of your items, then measure the doorways and hallways of both your old home and your new one to see if your odd-shaped belongings will fit through. If necessary, remove doors from their hinges or take down banisters to make more space;
- Rent the right size moving truck (so it accommodate all your belongings) and get appropriate moving equipment (so you can safely take your awkward items out of your property and load them on the moving vehicle);
- Ask several reliable friends to come help you lift and carry your heavy furniture and other unusually shaped belongings on moving day;
- Clear the way of obstacles, so you can more easily manoeuver your awkward objects to the moving truck;
- Handle your odd shaped items with extra care and secure them well in the moving vehicle;
- Ensure help unloading your belongings and taking them to their rightful places in your new home.
