A Collector’s Guide to Moving an Art Collection

An art collection with people walking through.

You’re standing in your living room, admiring your carefully curated art collection—that bronze sculpture you found at an estate sale, the contemporary painting that stopped you in your tracks at a gallery opening, your grandmother’s delicate watercolors.

Now imagine packing it all up and trusting someone else to move it across town (or across the country). Cue the anxiety sweats, right?

Why Moving Art Is Nothing Like Moving Everything Else

Moving an art collection isn’t like tossing your everyday belongings into boxes. It’s more like orchestrating a high-stakes ballet where every pirouette could mean the difference between preserving your treasures and facing some serious damage.

But here’s the good news: with the right knowledge and the right moving partner, you can transport your collection as safely as a museum would.

The Art of Moving Art

Think about that watercolor your kid made that you had professionally framed, or the vintage concert poster that reminds you of your first date. Maybe it’s the abstract painting you splurged on during that vacation in Santa Fe, or your grandmother’s oil painting of the family farm. These pieces might not be headed to the Met, but they’re priceless to you—and they deserve to arrive at your new home in one piece.

Here’s what makes art moving uniquely challenging:

Weight vs. Fragility: That marble sculpture might weigh 200 pounds, but have delicate carved details that could chip with the slightest bump
Irregular Shapes: Unlike your perfectly stackable moving boxes, art comes in every shape imaginable
Material Sensitivities: Oil paintings can’t touch certain packing materials, while metal sculptures need protection from humidity
Emotional Value: Sure, that vase has a price tag, but what about the memories attached to it?

Know Your Collection Inside and Out

Before you even think about bubble wrap, take inventory like a detective. Protect your work by knowing what it looks like when you purchase and receive it. In other words, document everything.

Hold a Photography Session: Take detailed photos from multiple angles (yes, even the back of paintings)
Write Condition Notes: That tiny scratch on the frame? The intentional patina on the bronze? Write it all down
Take Measurements: Not just height and width—depth matters too, especially for getting through doorways
Note Any Special Requirements: Does that mixed-media piece have components that could shift? Mark this down!

Why Choose BMS Moving & Storage

With over 100 years of experience through our partnership with Bekins Van Lines, we’ve seen it all—from priceless heirlooms to contemporary installations.

What sets BMS apart for art collectors:

Custom Crating Services: We don’t just wrap and hope for the best. Our team tailors packaging to each piece
Climate-Controlled Transport: Because your oil paintings shouldn’t experience more temperature swings than a teenager’s mood
Trained Art Handlers: We aren’t your average movers—we’re professionals who understand the nuances of handling fine art

Packing Like a Pro (Or Leaving It to the Pros)

Moving artwork is an art form itself, and each item needs to be addressed individually. Here’s the inside scoop on proper art packing.

For Paintings:

The X Factor: Create an “X” with painter’s tape across the glass (doing so adds strength and keeps pieces together if the worst happens)
Layer Love: Start with acid-free paper, add bubble wrap (bubbles facing out!), then sturdy cardboard
Vertical Victory: Always transport paintings upright, never flat

For Sculptures:

Many contemporary art objects or installations are irregular in shape. This is where things get interesting:

Custom Crating is King: Especially for pieces with protruding elements or delicate details
Foam Friends: High-density foam cutouts that cradle every curve
Secure the Base: Sculptures must be anchored to prevent any shifting during transport

Common Moving Day Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s learn from others’ near-misses:

The “It’ll Be Fine” Wrap: Never use newspaper on paintings—ink transfers are not the kind of mixed media you want
The Puzzle Piece Problem: Forgetting to measure doorways at your destination (nothing worse than a sculpture that won’t fit through the door!)
The Climate Shock: Moving from Arizona to Florida? Your art needs acclimatization time
The Insurance Gap: Assuming your homeowner’s policy covers moving—spoiler: it usually doesn’t

Location, Location, Location

With locations nationwide, BMS Moving & Storage can handle your art whether you’re:

Moving from our Tampa location to our San Diego facility
Relocating your Phoenix collection to Washington DC
Or anywhere in between!

Their network means consistent handling standards and the ability to coordinate complex, long-distance moves with the same team overseeing your precious cargo from start to finish.

Your Art Deserves the Best

If a priceless, 300-year-old vase breaks, you can’t just go get another one. While your collection might not be heading to the Smithsonian, it deserves the same level of care.

BMS Moving & Storage brings together the best of both worlds: the local touch of neighbors who understand your concerns and the resources of a national network with over a century of experience. Our specialized art moving services mean you can focus on the exciting parts of your move—like planning where each piece will live in your new space—instead of lying awake worrying about your collection’s journey.

It’s Time to Make Your Move

Whether you’re relocating a single sculpture or an entire gallery’s worth of treasures, BMS Moving & Storage has the expertise, equipment, and dedication to ensure your art arrives as beautifully as it departed. Their commitment to treating your collection with museum-quality care, combined with practical solutions like their storage programs and comprehensive insurance options, makes them the clear choice for discerning collectors.

Don’t let moving day anxiety keep you from enjoying your collection in a new space. Contact BMS Moving & Storage for a consultation that’s as detailed and careful as your collecting process. After all, your art tells your story. Make sure it arrives ready for the next chapter.