--- title: How to Pack Lamps and Lampshades for a Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-lamps/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack lamps # How to pack lamps Take a lamp apart into four pieces, bulb, shade, harness and base, and pack them separately: the shade in a box of its own, the base wrapped and padded, and the cord bundled with tape. Lamps travel safely in bulb-free pieces. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Pack a table lamp - Unplug and let the bulb cool. Remove the bulb and wrap it in paper. Pack bulbs in a small box with a cell for each. - Remove the shade and the harness. Lift the shade off its harness. If the harness is metal, wrap it and pack it with the base. - Wrap the cord. Coil the cord loosely, tape it to the base with painter's tape, and keep it out of the way of the neck. - Wrap the base. Wrap it in paper and bubble wrap, then place it in a small or medium box with paper around it. - Box the shade. Put the shade in a large, sturdy box with nothing on top of it. Pack lighter shades in a nest of tissue. - Label. Write LAMP BASE and LAMP SHADES on the box and the room. Mark shade boxes THIS SIDE UP. A lamp is a collection of small parts with different needs. The shade is paper or fabric and dents easily. The base is heavy and may be ceramic. The bulb is thin glass. Packing them together invites trouble; packing them apart takes a few extra minutes. ## Shades need space, not weight Fabric and paper shades take any dent and hold it. A shade box is mainly air, and nothing else should go in with it except a little tissue. Shades can nest if they are the same shape, with paper between them. Do not stack a heavy box on a shade box; tell the crew it is a light, fragile load. ## Floor lamps and torchieres - Take off the shade and the bulb, and fold or detach the arm if the lamp is built to do so. - Wrap the pole in a blanket and tape the blanket to itself. - Pack the base separately, because it is the heavy end. - Wrap glass torchiere bowls in paper and carry them in a box of their own. ## Chandeliers and glass fixtures A chandelier is a different job. Crystals, arms and chains need to be removed, wrapped one by one and packed in a labeled set of boxes, and the fixture should come down by someone qualified. The guide on [how to move a chandelier](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-chandelier/) explains it. ## Broken bulbs and fluorescent tubes If a compact fluorescent bulb breaks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has clean-up steps that include airing the room and not using a vacuum at first. Many bulbs, including fluorescent tubes and CFLs, should be recycled rather than thrown away. Check the EPA page before you pack or discard them. More fragile items are covered in [how to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [EPA, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs](https://www.epa.gov/mercury/compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs-cfls) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to move a chandelier](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-chandelier/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack shoes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-shoes/) - [How to pack clothes for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-clothes/) - [How to pack books](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-books/) - [How to pack artwork](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-artwork/) - [How to pack jewelry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-jewelry/) - [How to pack pots and pans](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-pots-and-pans/) - [How to pack and move a mattress](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-mattress/) - [How to pack a kitchen](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-kitchen/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can the bulb stay in the lamp? Remove it, wrap it, and pack it in a small box. ### How do I keep a shade from denting? Give it a box of its own with nothing on top. ### Do lamps count as fragile? Yes. Label the base and the shade boxes FRAGILE. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. J Judy H. April 7, 2026 I was so satisfied and impressed with O'Brien. My move went perfectly. If I have another move, it will be O'Brien for sure!! ### Owner's reply WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE MOVE WENT SO WELL!!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to let us know. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070