Label Your Lamps!

When you start to unpack – all those lampshades start looking the same!  To make it simple and get the right shade with the right lamp – label them. Use a small piece of blue painters’ tape and a number or letter sequence to mark both the shade and the base so it takes the guess work out of matching up the right shade with the right base.  Shade #1 is looking for lamp base #1.  If you have many lamps, get them all labeled at one time, so you don’t forget where you left off. 

We generally leave the harp attached to the shade when packing.  If you must remove the harp, make sure to wrap it separately and label with the same number or letter you tagged the lamp. Depending on how many lamps you have this can takes a few minutes, but it saves a lot of headaches when you are trying to get things put back together. 

Wrap the lamp bases in paper pads, bubble wrap or towels and place in a box. You can usually fit 2 -3 lamps in a box depending on the size.  Label the box with what lamps are inside so if you are looking for a specific lamp you can locate the box.

Pack lampshades separately and do not put other items in the box that could crush or puncture the shade.  Wrap the light bulbs and place in the bottom of the box followed by a lampshade.  Silk, double layer fabric shades should be packed by themselves to avoid puncturing the shade. Standard, more sturdy lampshades can be telescoped together in a box. Label the boxes with the lampshades that are inside for quick match up.

Time spent labeling and keeping items together will expedite your unpacking.