Moving to a new home can be (and unfortunately, often is) stressful for anyone, but if you’re an antique collector, the stakes feel higher for obvious reasons. Even if you have a good plan, the thought of something valuable and irreplaceable getting scratched, chipped, or outright broken is enough to make anyone lose sleep. Not to mention some of this stuff is quite valuable, if not financially then from a sentimental perspective. You might have been building this collection your whole life, or had some of it passed down to you.
That’s why intensive planning is important when transitioning your vintage antiques to a new home, ready to be stored and loved anew. We intend to help you do that with confidence despite all the other rigors of moving from A to B that most people can empathize with.
Without further ado, please consider:
Nailing Those Packaging Materials
In this case, newspaper and a roll of tape won’t cut it. Fragile, old, intricate and sensitive pieces are likely to need packing materials to prevent damage during transport. We’d recommend using acid-free paper for wrapping, as standard paper can sometimes stain or degrade certain finishes over time, while for glass, ceramics, or any very delicate items, bubble wrap is essential, and can be wrapped in several secure but not too tight layers, then boxed and marked as fragile.
Wooden crates or reinforced boxes are worth considering for larger, more valuable items, especially with internal inserts to keep the item upright. These might cost more upfront, but when you’re moving a 200-year-old antique or a painting, it’s a worthwhile investment. We hope you can save the risk of any potential damage that way.
Use Professionals Who Understand Antiques
It’s often better to leave the heavy lifting to those who know what they’re doing, but keep in mind that you need to verify if they’re capable of packaging and storing effectively. A reliable moving company that specializes in fragile or high-value items is key, even if the service costs a little more. They’ll often have the tools, experience, and insurance needed to handle antiques with care, and a true understanding of what it means. They’ll also share their plans with you to give you peace of mind and help you understand the process if anything goes wrong, so you always know there are resources.
Consider Climate Control
Many antiques are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes and that is most risky when heading from A to B, so don’t overlook this during your move. If you’re driving your items to the new location yourself, make sure your vehicle is properly ventilated or air-conditioned, or even use temperature-controlled storage if needed. If you’re storing items for some time before settling in to the new place, self-storage with climate-controlled storage options can help protect them from warping.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily avoid inadvertently causing damage to your antiques even during the most intensive house move you have planned, and even with expensive artifacts joining you for the ride.
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