How to Pack Glassware and Dishes for a Self Storage Unit
How to Pack Glassware and Dishes for a Self Storage Unit
Jessica
August 14th, 2026
Whether you're moving, renovating, downsizing, or simply making more room at home, dishes and glassware require a little extra care before going into storage. Proper packing can help protect your favorite plates, glasses, serving pieces, and other fragile kitchen items from chips, cracks, and breaks.At Blackwood Self Storage, we want to help make storing your belongings as simple and stress-free as possible. Here are some easy tips for safely packing dishes and glassware before moving them into your self storage unit.
Choose Strong, Sturdy Boxes
Start with high-quality moving boxes that are strong enough to hold the weight of your dishes. Smaller or medium-sized boxes are usually best because dishes can become very heavy when packed together.Dish boxes or boxes with dividers are especially helpful for glasses, mugs, and other fragile pieces.Before packing, reinforce the bottom of each cardboard box with packing tape to give it extra support.
Gather Your Packing Supplies
Having the right supplies makes packing fragile items much easier. Consider having these items ready:
- Sturdy moving boxes
- Packing paper
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Cardboard dividers
- Permanent markers
- Towels or other soft padding
Avoid using newspaper directly against dishes or glassware because the ink can transfer onto your belongings.
Create a Cushioned Bottom
Before placing anything inside the box, add a generous layer of crumpled packing paper, bubble wrap, or another soft packing material to the bottom.This creates a cushion between your fragile items and the bottom of the box.
Wrap Dishes Individually
Wrap each plate, bowl, and serving dish separately with packing paper or bubble wrap.For plates, place the item in the center of a sheet of packing paper and fold the paper completely around it. Add extra protection around especially delicate, valuable, or sentimental pieces.Avoid placing unwrapped dishes directly against one another.
Pack Plates Vertically
Instead of stacking plates flat on top of one another, place them vertically on their edges, similar to records on a shelf.This positioning can help reduce pressure on individual plates during moving and storage.Fill any empty spaces with crumpled packing paper so the plates stay securely in place and don't shift when the box is moved.
Protect Glasses and Stemware
Glasses, mugs, and stemware should also be individually wrapped.Gently fill the inside of each glass with packing paper before wrapping the entire piece. For wine glasses and other stemware, pay special attention to protecting the delicate stem.Boxes with individual cardboard dividers can be especially useful for keeping glasses separated and preventing them from bumping into one another.
Don't Overpack Boxes
It may seem convenient to fit as many dishes as possible into one box, but overpacking can make boxes extremely heavy and increase the risk of damage.Keep boxes at a manageable weight and make sure there's enough cushioning around the contents.Once packed, gently move the box from side to side. If you hear or feel items shifting, add more packing material before sealing it.
Fill Empty Spaces
Empty space inside a box allows dishes and glassware to move around.Use crumpled packing paper, bubble wrap, clean towels, or other soft materials to fill gaps between items and around the sides of the box.Add another layer of cushioning across the top before closing and sealing the box.
Clearly Label Every Box
Clearly mark boxes containing dishes and glassware with FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP.It's also helpful to write a short description of what's inside, such as:FRAGILE – KITCHEN DISHESorFRAGILE – WINE GLASSESLabel multiple sides of the box so you can easily identify it once everything is inside your storage unit.
Store Fragile Boxes Carefully
Once you arrive at your self storage unit, think carefully about where you place your fragile boxes.Keep boxes containing dishes and glassware off the bottom of large stacks. Never place heavy boxes, furniture, or other bulky belongings on top of them.If you have shelving inside your unit, it can be a convenient way to keep fragile boxes organized and accessible. Just make sure shelves are sturdy and boxes are placed securely.
Keep Fragile Items Easy to Access
If you think you'll need your dishes or glassware before completely emptying your storage unit, keep those boxes closer to the front.This prevents you from having to move heavy furniture or stacks of boxes to reach them later.
Take Your Time With Fragile Items
When it comes to packing dishes and glassware, a little extra time can make a big difference. Use sturdy boxes, wrap pieces individually, add plenty of cushioning, fill empty spaces, and clearly label everything before moving it into storage.At Blackwood Self Storage, we want you to feel confident when storing your belongings. Whether you're between homes, renovating, decluttering, or simply need some additional space, properly packing your fragile items can help keep them organized and protected while they're in storage.Looking for extra storage space? Contact Blackwood Self Storage to learn more about available storage units and find the right size for your needs.
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