How to pack mirrors for moving in 5 simple steps?

Moving to a new home? That is so exciting!

I have moved a few times in my life, and when I do so, my beloved wall mirrors are always top of my mind as they are so fragile and so precious!

I remember the first time I moved was with my parents, and when we settled in our new home, there were a few broken items, one of them a beautiful round mirror. No doubt I was pretty upset as there wasn’t much effort being put in to pack it properly.

The next time I moved, I told myself that I have to learn how to pack mirrors for moving to avoid the same thing from happening again.

Obviously, some people might think that you can simply wrap with bubble wrap and it will be fine, but it is a little more than that.

If you don’t wish to have 7 years of bad luck, you need to avoid getting them broken!

Let’s see what you can do better on your next moving project!

Step 1: Get the tools ready

Before the big day, you need to get the right tools ready so that you can pack them for safe transport.

Moving companies generally do a great job, but I reckon all of us have heard a horror story or two, and seriously, why leave it to others when you can put in a tiny effort to ensure they reach their destination intact?

For most mirrors, you will most likely be using the same tools. Here is a good list to get started:

Most of this stuff can be purchased from the home improvement store, but I normally get them off Amazon or Home Depot for convenience. The good thing is that most of it can be recycled for other objects or future projects.

By the way, moving blankets are super versatile around the home. You can use it to cover and protect items in storage, for transporting items, and even for soundproofing projects.

Step 2: Prepare an area for packing

Since wall mirrors are highly fragile, you need to set aside a clutter-free area to pack it for moving, lest anything falls over and smash it to bits.

A large dining table will do the job well, but if you don’t have that available, simply clear an area in your living room.

Whatever it is, you should at least be able to place the mirror down flat.

Before you set the mirror down, ensure that moving blankets are placed in the spot to absorb any shocks by acting as a cushion.

If you are using packing paper, this is when you should place them down too.

Setting up an area like this is important for 2 reasons: you can do the job safely and do it quickly.

Step 3: Preparing your mirror

The only way to ensure your wall mirror (or even your wall art) is secure is to wrap it up in layers. Many layers.

Firstly, use packing tape across the face of the mirror like an “X”, from one corner to another. This is kind of like when people are preparing for a hurricane. Ok, too dramatic, but you get the point.

If there really is some damage done during the moving process, this “X” will hold the pieces together, making for easy removal.

Next, place the piece of cardboard on the reflective side of the mirror and secure it with packing tape.

With this step done, it is time for the bubble wrap. Ensure that you get a few layers around the mirror, making sure that there are no exposed parts. It is now ready to go into the mirror box.

This works the same way if you have an odd-shaped mirror too. Give it a good wrap to cover the entire frame.

Before that, you may want to fill the bottom with crumpled paper, soft foam or packing peanuts if you need more security, but I personally don’t do this step.

Step 4: Packing the mirror into the mirror box

The mirror box is unlike your typical cardboard box. It is much stronger and is made up of 4 pieces of cardboard that can be interlocked together and customized to fit the size of your mirror. You should get one that is roughly 30% larger than the size of your mirror. Here’s what it looks like:


Now you need to slide the mirror into the half mirror box, and then make the adjustments so that the fit is snug.

I would use some tape here to secure it further.

Now, you can slide the other half of the mirror carton over and do the same thing of adjusting the fit.

Do not tape the entire box yet.

Step 5: Testing your package and labeling it

Lift the package up (ask your husband!) and give it a shake. There should be no movement if everything is packed tightly. That’s the most important aspect, keeping things tight. If you detect some shaking, add more padding into the box.

If everything checks out fine, give the entire box a tape around. Don’t be stingy with the tape. More is always better.

You should then label the box in large fonts with the words “Fragile” and “Handle with care” on both sides of the box. I would use a bright color to do so. You have no idea how hectic moving can be sometimes and movers can easily miss out if you have just a small sticker of writing.

Step 6: Moving Day

One last piece of advice I have for you is that during moving day, it would be wise to load your mirrors up the truck last, and always try to stack them on top of something else with a similar size.

If you can have a separate vehicle to do the job, all the better.

How to pack mirrors for moving: In Summary

All it really takes is like 10-15 minutes of work to protect your favorite wall mirror from getting broken, so try not to skip these steps the next time you move.

At the end of the day, the key thing is to offer lots of tight layers around. There really is no such thing as too much protection in this case.

If however, you have a really large and extra heavy mirror, it would be better to get the pros to do the job instead. Yes, you pay a little more, but if you’re like me and you love your wall mirrors, it is well worth it.

Check out these articles about wall mirrors: 

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Emma Taylor
Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor is the Chief Editor at Wallccessories and writes regularly about topics surrounding home decor. Her family has moved several times over the years due to her husband's job requirements, and thanks to that, she has had many opportunities to dabble in designing and decorating real cozy homes.