Packing Fragile Items Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide to Protecting Delicate Belongings

Fragile items are the source of more post-move disappointment than any other category of belongings. A cracked heirloom bowl, a shattered wine glass, a dented sculpture — these losses are often entirely preventable with the right preparation.

This checklist is designed to be worked through room by room as you pack. Each section covers the fragile items most commonly found in that space and the specific protection steps each requires. Use it alongside your packing supplies and refer to it as you seal each box.

Before You Start: Supplies Checklist

Before entering any room, confirm you have these essential fragile-packing supplies on hand:

• [ ] Dish-pack (barrel) boxes — double-walled, for kitchen and dining fragiles
• [ ] Standard packing paper (unprinted newsprint) — at least 10 lbs per major room
• [ ] Bubble wrap — for high-value fragiles, electronics, and art
• [ ] Foam pouches or foam sheets — for glassware and small ceramics
• [ ] Mirror/picture boxes (two-piece telescoping) — for all framed art and mirrors
• [ ] Corner protectors — foam or cardboard, for frames and canvases
• [ ] Glassine paper — for artwork surfaces
• [ ] Cardboard sheets — for dividers between flat fragile items
• [ ] Zip-lock bags — for small components and hardware
• [ ] High-quality packing tape — 2–3 inch wide, polypropylene
• [ ] Permanent markers — for labeling
• [ ] Red markers or red tape — for "FRAGILE" notation

Kitchen and Dining Room Fragile Items Checklist

Plates and Bowls

• [ ] Gather all packing paper and dish-pack boxes before starting
• [ ] Reinforce bottom of dish-pack box with 3–4 tape strips
• [ ] Line box bottom with 3–4 inches of crumpled packing paper
• [ ] Wrap each plate individually in 3–4 sheets of packing paper
• [ ] Pack all plates vertically (on edge) — never flat
• [ ] Wrap bowls individually; nest groups of 4–5 with paper between each
• [ ] Fill all gaps in the box with crumpled paper — no hollow space
• [ ] Final layer: 2–3 inches of crumpled paper before sealing
• [ ] Label: "Kitchen — Plates/Bowls — FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP"

Glasses and Mugs

• [ ] Stuff each glass interior with crumpled paper
• [ ] Wrap each glass individually (bottom-corner diagonal roll method)
• [ ] Pack glasses upside-down (rim down) in dish-pack box
• [ ] Crumpled paper between every glass and between every layer
• [ ] For mugs: extra wrap around the handle
• [ ] No glass-on-glass contact in the box
• [ ] Label: "Kitchen — Glasses — FRAGILE"

Stemware (Wine Glasses, Champagne Flutes)

• [ ] Stuff bowl with crumpled paper
• [ ] Wrap bowl and stem with paper (diagonal roll)
• [ ] Additional bubble wrap layer around the stem
• [ ] Pack in dedicated stemware section with foam dividers if available
• [ ] Generous crumpled paper fill on all sides
• [ ] Label: "Kitchen — Stemware — EXTREMELY FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP"

Fine China and Heirloom Dishes

• [ ] Wrap each piece in acid-free tissue paper first
• [ ] Second wrap in standard packing paper
• [ ] Bubble wrap outer layer for each piece
• [ ] Pack in dedicated box — no mixing with everyday items
• [ ] Extra paper fill throughout box
• [ ] Label all sides: "FINE CHINA — FRAGILE — DO NOT STACK"
• [ ] Consider transporting personally if irreplaceable

Crystal

• [ ] Handle with clean dry hands
• [ ] Wrap each piece individually in several sheets of packing paper
• [ ] Additional bubble wrap outer wrap
• [ ] Pack in dedicated box with significant fill
• [ ] Label: "CRYSTAL — EXTREMELY FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP"

Serving Pieces and Platters

• [ ] Wrap large platters in 4–6 sheets of paper
• [ ] Pack platters on edge (vertically) like plates
• [ ] Secure sauce boats, tureens, and serving bowls individually
• [ ] Extra paper fill around irregular shapes
• [ ] Label: "Kitchen — Serving Pieces — FRAGILE"

Glass Bakeware (Pyrex, Glass Casseroles)

• [ ] Wrap each piece individually
• [ ] Pack in dish-pack box, not regular boxes
• [ ] Layer of crumpled paper between each piece
• [ ] Label: "Kitchen — Glass Bakeware — FRAGILE"

Living Room and Dining Room Fragile Items Checklist

Framed Art and Photographs

• [ ] Tape an X of masking tape across the glass face of each frame
• [ ] Wrap frame in bubble wrap, covering all corners
• [ ] Apply corner protectors to all four corners
• [ ] Place in mirror/picture box — sized to fit without excess space
• [ ] Fill any box gaps with crumpled paper
• [ ] Label all sides: "ARTWORK — FRAGILE — DO NOT STACK — THIS SIDE UP"

Mirrors

• [ ] Same process as framed art — tape X on glass face, bubble wrap, corner protectors
• [ ] Place in mirror box
• [ ] For very large mirrors: double-box (mirror box inside a larger box with foam fill)
• [ ] Label: "MIRROR — FRAGILE — DO NOT STACK — THIS SIDE UP"

Decorative Ceramics, Pottery, and Vases

• [ ] Wrap each piece individually in packing paper
• [ ] Double-wrap items with thin walls or protruding parts
• [ ] Stuff hollow items (vases, urns) with crumpled paper
• [ ] Pack in dish-pack boxes with generous fill
• [ ] Label: "Living Room — Ceramics — FRAGILE"

Glass Decorative Objects

• [ ] Wrap each piece in bubble wrap
• [ ] Paper outer wrap
• [ ] Pack in a box with 4 inches of fill on all sides
• [ ] No glass objects in direct contact with each other
• [ ] Label: "Living Room — Glass Art — FRAGILE"

Table Lamps

• [ ] Wrap lamp base in bubble wrap
• [ ] Pack lamp base upright in a medium box with paper fill
• [ ] Pack lamp shade separately — upright in a large box, crumpled paper inside and around
• [ ] Never wrap a lamp shade in paper (damages the shade)
• [ ] Label base box: "Lamp Base — FRAGILE"; label shade box: "Lamp Shade — DO NOT CRUSH"

Decorative Figurines and Small Sculptures

• [ ] Wrap each piece in paper
• [ ] Bubble wrap outer layer for valuable or fragile pieces
• [ ] Pack with ample fill, no piece touching another without padding
• [ ] Label: "Fragile Figurines — DO NOT STACK"

Bedroom Fragile Items Checklist

Bedroom Art and Framed Photographs

• [ ] Same process as living room framed art (mirror box, bubble wrap, corner protectors)
• [ ] Label: "Bedroom Art — FRAGILE"

Bedside Lamps

• [ ] Base and shade packed separately (see Living Room lamp instructions above)
• [ ] Remove and pack bulbs separately

Vanity and Decorative Mirrors

• [ ] Mirror box for all sizes
• [ ] Bubble wrap and corner protectors
• [ ] Label: "MIRROR — FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP"

Perfume Bottles and Glass Vanity Items

• [ ] Wrap each bottle in packing paper
• [ ] Pack in a small box with ample fill
• [ ] Seal all open bottles in zip-lock bags before wrapping
• [ ] Label: "Vanity — Glass Items — FRAGILE"

Small Electronics (Alarm Clocks, Smart Displays)

• [ ] Original boxes are ideal
• [ ] Without original: bubble wrap, medium box, paper fill
• [ ] Label: "Electronics — FRAGILE"

Bathroom Fragile Items Checklist

Glass and Ceramic Accessories

• [ ] Soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, cotton containers
• [ ] Wrap each piece individually in paper
• [ ] Pack in a small box with fill
• [ ] Seal any liquid-containing dispensers in zip-lock bags first
• [ ] Label: "Bathroom — Glass Accessories — FRAGILE"

Mirrors

• [ ] Any bathroom mirror being moved: mirror box, bubble wrap, corner protectors
• [ ] Freestanding vanity mirrors: pack as bedroom mirrors

Home Office Fragile Items Checklist

Desktop Computer and Monitor

• [ ] Original packaging is ideal
• [ ] Without original: bubble wrap monitor, pack upright in a box with foam fill
• [ ] Never pack a monitor on its side or with items stacked on it
• [ ] Label: "Monitor — FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP"

Framed Diplomas, Certificates, and Office Art

• [ ] Mirror box or picture box with corner protectors
• [ ] Label: "Office Art — FRAGILE"

Desk Lamp

• [ ] Base and shade packed separately
• [ ] Bubble wrap base

Garage and Workshop Fragile Items Checklist

Glass Jars and Storage Containers

• [ ] Wrap each glass container in paper
• [ ] Pack in small boxes with fill
• [ ] Secure lids with tape or rubber bands

Specialty Equipment with Glass Components

• [ ] Identify any glass gauges, glass storage, or glass components
• [ ] Wrap individually in bubble wrap with paper outer layer
• [ ] Pack in padded boxes separate from tools

General Fragile Packing Rules (Apply to Every Room)

• [ ] Every fragile box has 3 inches of cushioning on the bottom before loading
• [ ] Every fragile box is filled completely — no hollow space
• [ ] Every fragile box passes the "shake test": no rattling or shifting when gently shaken
• [ ] Every fragile box is labeled "FRAGILE" on all four sides and the top
• [ ] Every fragile box is labeled "THIS SIDE UP" with an arrow
• [ ] Fragile boxes are never at the bottom of a stack in the truck
• [ ] Fragile boxes are never loaded beneath heavy boxes or appliances

Professional Packing for Fragile Items

For homes with fine china, large art collections, crystal stemware, or any item of significant value, LuxeMove's professional packing service provides the highest level of protection. Our team brings all specialty supplies, follows the exact techniques outlined here, and handles your fragile items with the care they deserve.

Visit our services page to learn about full-service packing, or contact LuxeMove to request a consultation. We serve clients throughout Los Angeles and bring professional-grade packing to every home we work in.