1. Armoires

Armoires can be great packing spaces for lightweight items like pillows, lamp shades, even hanging clothes, if you use a tight tension rod inside. If you're going to pack a lamp shade, be sure to pad it all around with lots of lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.

What you need:

• Rope
• Large padding or old blankets

How to pack:

1. Remove all the contents from the shelves. Don't try to ship your CDs, TV, cards and games, or other loose items inside the armoire - they'll be jostled and probably damaged.

2. If you have drawers, you can keep some items inside if they're not too heavy. Wad up blank newsprint in the empty spaces and tape the drawers shut.

3. If you like, fill in empty spaces with lightweight items, like pillows and lamp shades (properly padded with lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.) Several lamp shades can be stacked together with blank newsprint in between.

4. Close and lock your doors, if possible, or tie the handles together.

5. Tie large padding or old blankets around the outside. All done!

2. Artwork and Mirrors

You'll need:

• Tape
• Blank newsprint and cardboard or bubble wrap
• Styrofoam peanuts for sculptures
• Boxes (flat and/or sized to fit) for each piece of artwork

How to pack:

Framed prints

1. Wrap them individually in newsprint and then tape cardboard around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap.

2. Put them in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit loosely in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces with lightly wadded blank newsprint.

3. Tape the box shut and mark it. You're done!

Mirrors

1. Put tape across the front of the mirror like an X to keep the pieces in place in case the glass breaks.

2. Wrap in bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard taped around them. Fill loose spaces with lightly wadded paper

3. Put in a flat box, seal, and mark "Fragile - Mirror." That's all!

Original paintings

1. If your painting is framed with glass, tape the front like an X with masking tape.

2. Cover the framed painting or canvas with bubble wrap and tape it closed.

3. Build a box to fit that is slightly bigger than the painting, or purchase one. If you're packing a canvas (no frame, no glass), wrap the cardboard box in bubble wrap again, tape it, then build or buy a second box slightly bigger than the first. Double-boxing is a guarantee against other sharp objects puncturing the box and canvas during the move.

4. Tape the box well and mark "Fragile - Art." All done now!

Sculptures

1. You'll need a box at least one-third larger than the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap.

2. Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright, then fill in all around and on top with peanuts. Your piece of art should be nestled in the center without touching the sides of the box.

3. Tape the box and mark "Fragile - Artwork" clearly on the outside. That's it!

3. Beds

You'll need:

• Rope or tape
• Large pads for headboards and footboards
• Sheets or mattress covers
• Plastic bag

How to pack:

1. Disassemble the bed frames and mark the pieces so you know where they go later. Tie or tape rails together.

2. Take all screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag and tape to rails.

3. Tie large pads around headboard and footboards, if you have them.

4. Leave sheets on mattresses to protect them, or cover them with plastic mattress covers. You're done!

4. Books

You'll need:

• Tape
• Small boxes

How to pack:

TIP: If you've collected lots of books over time, it's a great time to re-evaluate what you really want to keep. Consider selling some at a yard sale or to a secondhand book store. More weight in your truck adds to the final price if you're being moved, and puts a strain on you if you're moving yourself.

1. Never pack more than 30 pounds of books in a box, unless you're a weightlifter by trade.

2. Fill in small spaces in each box with smaller paperbacks. Alternate bindings every few books to keep stacks level in each box.

3. Tape shut and mark "Books." You're done!

5. Bureaus

You'll need:

• Rope
• Large pads

How to pack:

TIP: Don't leave bureau drawers completely full for the move - the bureau will be too heavy. Use suitcases to pack some clothing and other non-fragile items from your bureau drawers.

1. Partially empty out drawers and fill spaces with small, fragile items like clocks or picture frames wrapped in loose clothing.

2. Don't put tape on the drawers - it could stick to the finish.

3. Tie a large pad securely around the bureau. That's it!

6. Chairs

You'll need:

• Bubble wrap or blank newsprint
• Tape
• Furniture pads

How to pack:

1. Wrap arms of chairs with blank newsprint or bubble wrap and tape.

2. Leave slipcovers on or cover with large flat sheets.

3. Cover next with furniture pads. Now you're done!

7. Lawn Furniture

You'll need:

• Tape
• Large, flat boxes for any glass tabletops
• Blank newsprint and bubble wrap for glass tabletops

How to pack:

1. Packing is easy if you have furniture with no breakable parts. Hose down/clean off your furniture.

2. Disassemble any parts. Tape them together, or put small pieces in ziplock bags and tape to the furniture. You're good to go!

3. If you have glass tabletops, wrap them in bubble wrap and put them in flat boxes used for mirrors and artwork. Seal and mark boxes "Fragile - Glass." Now you're done!