Moving from one new home to another can take a toll on our mental and physical well-being.
Not only are you worried about every minor detail about the new home, but you’re also worried about the losses that might happen through the moving process.
One of the tricky parts is moving fragile, easily breakable things, like glass, china, mirrors, etc. Wood is also challenging because it’s prone to break, get scratched, and even get chipped while being carried onto the moving truck.
A dresser with a mirror isn’t only beautiful and handy, but it also combines all the above, so of course, moving it can be a nightmare.
Since breaking a mirror can result in seven years of bad luck, we’re going to try to save you from this dreaded possibility.
In this article, we’ll walk you through all the details you need on “how to pack a dresser with a mirror for moving.”
Table of Contents
Things to Keep in Mind While Packing Your Dresser Mirror
Dressers are pretty heavy as it is, so make sure you empty out all the drawers before packing up your dresser.
You can either keep the drawers in and wrap them with the body of the dresser or remove them entirely. If you choose to remove them, you’ll have to make sure to wrap them separately.
This may be a bit hectic and space-consuming, so it’s recommended you strap them tightly into the dresser and make sure they don’t slide out.
Knobs and handles, too, can easily get scratched or scratch other items during the moving process. Just like the drawers, you can easily wrap each handle individually in its place or remove it entirely.
If you decide to remove them, make sure to keep the screws, bolts, and handles in one bag and keep them nearby, so you don’t lose them.
Don’t overestimate your strength. Even after being completely emptied, dressers are bulky and heavy things. Make sure not to take the risk of moving them alone.
Pre-packing Preparation
Before you get into the packing process itself, here are some things to keep in mind:
Place
Make sure you have a flat, elevated, and secure place to have the mirror on. You should also keep it away from any tiny hands or paws that might tip it over when you’ve de-assembled it from the dresser.
Supplies
Here are the moving supplies that you’ll need to properly pack up your dresser mirror.
- Bubble wrap
- Kraft paper (which is thicker than normal white paper)
- Mirror boxes (special boxes for glass and mirrors you can pick up at the store)
- Zip-lock bags (to keep the bolts and screws in and prevent them from getting lost)
- Painters tape ( or regular tape)
- Furniture blankets (optional)
Plan
Make sure to measure your moving path to and from the moving truck to know how to carry your dresser in without scratching any walls.
The Packing Process
First, you have to take the dresser apart and separate the mirror from the dresser. Usually, the mirrors are connected to the dressers by two planks of wood at the back. After unscrewing them and removing the bolts, make sure to put them in a bag, so they aren’t lost.
Preparing the Mirror
First, move your mirror to the flat surface you’ve designated as the wrapping area—most have recommended using your dining room table or kitchen table to leave enough space for you to move around.
Second, use the tape to create a giant “X” across the entire mirror from corner to corner. Then, use the tape to make one or two horizontal lines across the ‘X’ from one side of the mirror to the other, creating a sort of grid look. This will help absorb the shock of any movement and will help keep the mirror pieces in place if it breaks.
Third, assemble the mirror box and keep aside a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the mirror. Fix the piece of cardboard onto it with tape.
Next, use Kraft paper to wrap the mirror entirely and use tape to make sure it’s secured well. You should also use the bubble wrap on top of the Kraft paper and wrap the mirror, securing it with tape.
Lastly, place the mirror into the mirror box that you’ve assembled beforehand.
Preparing the Rest of the Dresser
First, wrap the handles and knobs of the drawers with Kraft paper and bubble wrap if you haven’t chosen to remove them.
Second, wrap each of the dresser’s legs individually with Kraft paper, followed by bubble wrap. Again, use tape to secure it tightly in place.
Third, put kraft paper or a furniture blanket on the top of the dresser, making sure that it drapes on both sides. As you’re taping it to the dresser, make sure it is pulled tightly on the dresser and drawers so that they don’t move. You may need to tilt the dresser in order to wrap the bottom as well.
Fourth, if you’ve used Kraft paper, it’s recommended you use bubble wrap for a more protective layer against potential scratches. This can happen if the dresser comes in contact with anything during the move. And if you’ve used blankets, it’s recommended to use shrink wrap to help secure the blankets tightly in place.
Additional Tips for Moving a Dresser Mirror
- Whether you’ve used Kraft and bubble wrap or blankets, make sure your tape isn’t touching the surface directly, so it doesn’t leave any annoying sticky residue.
- If you’ve decided to remove the drawers entirely from the dresser, make sure you’ve wrapped each drawer separately in furniture blankets instead of grouping them together.
- If you’ve removed the handles and knobs on the drawers but chose to keep the drawers in place, you can put them into a bag. Then, tape it to a Kraft paper on the inside of one of the drawers. This will help you make sure you don’t lose them.
- Extra padding on the legs will make sure the paint job doesn’t get scratched while also protecting the floor you’re moving the dresser into.
In Conclusion
How to pack a dresser mirror for moving isn’t an everyday general piece of knowledge we all have. However, as with many things, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you have someone to help you throughout the moving process.
Not only will they be good company, but they can help you remember the small details that you may overlook while wrapping the dresser. And since we’re not all blessed with superman’s strength, you’ll need a hand in moving the dresser around as you wrap it and as you move it out.
