A Positively Moving Experience
Moving Aquariums and other Oddities
As moving day approaches further you might be wondering how to pack some of the strange, unique items that you might not be able to fit in the normal cardboard box. In our experience, improvisation is often a fantastic solution. Here’s our list of some of the strangest items we’ve moved, and the best methods of moving them.
Antique Chandeliers
Do you have a giant crystal antique chandelier? These can be notoriously difficult to transport and can be incredibly delicate. A fantastic solution is to use a number of medium to large sized cartons, cutting them in half, and taping the pieces together to make a custom made large container. Just make sure to very carefully wrap each individual glass component of the chandelier in foam packing material or bubble wrap before placing the entire thing into your custom container.
Cardboard Cutouts
Do you have a vintage childhood life size cut-out? Try slipping it inside a mattress carton where ti can be protected between the mattress and the box spring and get loaded on top of the truck.
Aquariums
You’re going to need special equipment for this. An aquarium isn’t worth much when it’s broken all over the floor. Pick up some mirror boxes specially made for transporting glass – you can find them at hardware stores or moving companies.
Pinball Machines and Arcade Consoles
You’re going to need a ton of padding for these – wrap them up in blankets or thick brown moving pads. Tape all the ends down to the blankets so everything remains in place, and load it into the truck by stuffing smaller boxes in between legs and around the sides so you can keep the heavy equipment from shifting around the truck.
Salon Equipment or Tanning Beds
These items are somewhat sturdy and durable, however they are extremely heavy. First, find a box large enough to contain the item – tape multiple cut pieces of boxes together if you can’t find one. Once you have the box, wrap the item in padding or blankets to keep it in place.
Musical Instruments
If you have a large piano, cello, or organ, the best thing to do is hire a professional mover that’s skilled with moving technically delicate musical equipment. It’s just the smartest thing to do. The smallest injury can cause irreversible damage to musical equipment, so it’s simply not worth the risk to attempt to move it alone.
Trees
If you have a giant indoor tree it can be amazing for the aesthetics of your home, but you’ll have a hard time transporting it without damaging its fragile branches. You want to maintain temperature and moisture conditions that you have inside your house, or the tree could die. Make sure to adjust the temperature inside the truck accordingly. If your tree is particularly delicate, a tried and true solution is to wrap up it’s leafy branches in damp newspaper temporarily, to protect them during the journey.
Skeletons
This is probably the weirdest item we’ve ever had to transport. Obviously, structural integrity is of primary importance here. You don’t want the leg where the head is – even if you’re a mad scientist or renegade decorator. The solution that we found taught us that even the largest and strangest items can be padded up in light blankets and protected within cardboard. Make sure to wrap the more thin or delicate bones with a thin but sturdy towel, like a dish towel, and then ensure that whatever cardboard coffin you fashion together completely covers it from the top of the head to the bottom of the toe (bones.)
