For most of your items, damage is a painful part of moving, but not the end of the world. While it might be a hassle, an insurance claim will allow you to replace the damaged items, as long as it was properly packed and handled. However, with antiques, you can't just get another one to replace it. That means you need to be extra sure these items are packed well for their journey.

Furniture

Furniture is a tough thing to pack. Too large to fit in a box, but too small to get a truck to itself, your furniture will have to survive the move in close proximity to other boxes, as well as with the wear and tear of bumps in the road. Here are some tips for packing your antique furniture.

• This is a good opportunity to do a thorough cleaning. Be careful though -- you don't want to make the furniture slippery when you try to move it or apply any chemicals that could adhere to the packing materials.
• Cardboard is a great way to prevent small dents and dings. While your furniture won't fit in a box, you can still use scraps of cardboard to create a barrier around corners and edges. Just be sure not to tape directly on the surface of the item. You don't want to have to try and remove the glue later.
• If you are seriously concerned about your antique furniture being damaged in the move, you might want to hire experts. A specialist in moving antiques will be able to properly prepare your items and may even pack them in shipping crates to minimize the risk of anything happening to them. While this is a more expensive route, it may be worth it to you.

Knick Knacks

While it might be tough, the first step in prepping your small items for a move, including any antiques, is deciding whether or not you want to bring them with you. Moving time is one of the best times to evaluate whether or not you want to keep things since you will be handling each item anyway. Finding new homes for even a few items can go a long way towards decluttering your new home. If you aren't sure, you can always bring it with you, but items that you are sure you can part with should be left behind.

Once you've decided what you are going to hang on to, it is time to pack them up. Since you do want to keep these items, it is important that they survive the move. Your towels are a great resource for this process. They work just as well as bubble wrap and don't cost anything. You can use them the same way. Wrap each item in a towel, tuck in the ends and place in the box. Additional towels can be used to fill in gaps and corners. You have to pack them anyway, and this is the perfect opportunity to maximize their use.

Vases, China, and Other Mid-Sized Pieces

If you have any towels left, they can be used for mid-sized pieces as well. If you need more materials, t-shirts and socks can be used to fill in corners and gaps. This will be especially useful on these bigger pieces as there will likely be quite a bit of extra space in the box.

While it might be tempting to try and squeeze a few small items in the box with a vase or lamp, it is best to give each piece plenty of room. The more you try to pack in the box, the greater the chance that something will knock together in transit. The soft filler you use will cushion the item against bumps in the road far better than solid objects.

Ensuring your antiques survive your next move is no small task, but it is a worthwhile one. While accidents do happen, using these packing techniques will ensure that your items take the minimal amount of damage from anything that might happen. Once you've settled into your new home, you'll be happy you made the effort.

For more tips or for professional help, contact local moving companies in your area, such as Bekins Van Lines Inc.