Dishes and glassware
Use a proper dish barrel with cell dividers where you can, since a standard box lets plates and glasses knock together on every turn. Wrap each piece individually in packing paper, not newsprint, since the ink can transfer onto glazed surfaces.
Fill any gaps in the box with crumpled paper so nothing shifts, and pack the box heavier at the bottom and lighter toward the top. If you give a packed box a gentle shake and hear movement inside, open it back up and add more paper before it goes on the truck.
Artwork, mirrors, and framed pieces
Picture and mirror cartons are worth using rather than improvising with towels and blankets, especially for anything with glass. Corner protectors keep frames from chipping if a box gets knocked during loading.
Larger canvases without glass can often travel wrapped in moving blankets and secured flat, but always check with your crew before assuming a piece does not need a box.
Electronics and cables
Photograph the back of your television and any component setup before disconnecting cables, so reassembly at the new place does not turn into guesswork. Bag and label cables by device rather than tossing them all into one box.
Original boxes, if you still have them, are the best packaging for televisions and larger electronics. Without the original box, a well-padded moving carton with foam corners is the next best option.
Packing for the coastal climate
Standard cardboard softens quickly in humidity, which matters if boxes sit outside even briefly on a rainy Richmond afternoon. Double-walled boxes hold up better, and keeping boxes off a wet driveway, even for a few minutes, avoids a soggy bottom that gives way under weight.
If a move happens during a stretch of wet weather, plan for a tarp or covered staging area near the door rather than leaving stacked boxes exposed while the truck is loaded. A carport or covered porch works just as well if you have one, and it costs nothing to use it.