Whether you have a single Victorian heirloom or a growing vintage collection, storing antiques is all about stability, gentle handling and good habits. In this guide you will learn how to create the right storage environment, how to pack delicate pieces with the correct materials, and how to organise space so larger items and small items stay in good condition.
If you need secure London units, HOLD offers climate-secure storage with 24-hour access and a digital booking journey to help you store items smoothly.
Right, let's dive into the antique storage essentials.
Key takeaways
- Keep humidity, light and air circulation stable.
- Use acid free tissue paper; bubble wrap only as an outer layer.
- Photograph and record valuations for insurance.
- Raise furniture and boxes off the ground.
- Pick secure, lockable units for valuable antiques.
Before you store: prepare and document
Start by lightly dusting antiques with a soft brush, then photograph each piece and note materials, dimensions and any pre-existing wear. Keep receipts, valuations and serial numbers together, as many insurers ask for proof when storing valuable items or making a claim for insurance purposes.
The Association of British Insurers and archives professionals advise keeping visual records of valuable items to support claims and provenance.
Create an inventory for specific items and label boxes clearly. If pieces will be disassembled, place screws and small items in a labelled container or cotton bag and store in the drawers or cupboard of the same item so they do not get lost in storage.
HOLD offers a Protection Plan addendum for items in units. It is not an insurance contract. Check limits and declared values with your insurer.
Pack with conservation-friendly materials
The materials you choose directly affect sensitive surfaces and delicate materials. For textiles and fabric, line folds with acid free tissue paper and store in a suitable container such as archival cartons.
Unbuffered acid free tissue paper is preferred for most textiles and costume. It helps protect fibres during long storing periods and reduces creasing
Use bubble wrap as an extra layer only. Do not place bubbles or plastic films directly against polished wood or painted finishes on antique furniture. National Trust and Icon guidance explain that sealed plastic can trap excess moisture, and that direct contact with textured plastics can abrade or imprint surfaces; interleave paper or soft inert film first to prevent scratches.
For paper, photographs and albums, use inert sleeves and acid free folders in containers to defend against dust and light. Archives guidance recommends polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene enclosures for photographs and keeping items in supportive, acid-free containers for long-term storage
Expert tips: pad voids gently, label by material, and choose cartons that fit so items do not shift in transit.
Caring for antique furniture and wood
Wood naturally moves with changes in humidity. Even resilient timbers such as oak, walnut and mahogany are vulnerable to shifts in temperature and moisture, so protecting antique furniture requires careful handling and stable conditions.
- Maintain stability: According to Icon, wood does not need feeding with oils. What it needs is a stable environment, steady air circulation and light cleaning.
- Avoid unsuitable cleaning: Do not wet clean or use heavy commercial polishes on valuable antiques unless advised by a conservator.
- Wrap for transit: Use soft blankets or cotton sheets, then a breathable layer of packing paper, and finally light bubble wrap. Keep plastic away from finishes. Secure drawers with soft ties instead of tape to avoid surface damage.
- Disassemble large items: For Victorian wardrobes, oak dining tables and similar pieces, remove legs or leaves if designed to detach. Store horizontally on padded supports. Keep dining chairs together and record which screws belong to which joints.
- Monitor condition: When storing oak antiques, check veneer edges and joints after a week to ensure no movement has occurred.
- Cushion walnut: Place felt pads under walnut tables and cabinets to protect floors and reduce vibration in storage.
- Care for mahogany: A single pass with a high-quality microfibre cloth removes dust. Avoid spray polishes on these sensitive surfaces.
With the right preparation and attention to environmental stability, antique furniture can be safely stored and preserved without risk of damage from cleaning, transit, or fluctuating conditions.
Artwork, mirrors and frames
Valuable artwork needs special care. Avoid direct sunlight and keep glazed works upright with corner protectors and backing boards. For oil paintings and gilded frames, store items vertically with padded dividers and ensure temperature and humidity are stable to limit chemical reactions in finishes. Use acid free paper or soft interleaving before any bubble wrap outer.
Need a deeper dive on this topic? Read how to store framed pictures in a storage unit or storing paintings in a storage unit for step-by-step methods.
Textiles, clothing and mixed materials
For textiles, roll large items on tubes lined with acid free tissue paper or store flat in shallow archival cartons. Avoid tight folds. For clothing, breathable cotton garment bags are preferable to plastic. Ensure to keep textiles away from direct sunlight and ensure good air circulation in the room or unit.
Read our other articles if you plan to store clothes or books alongside your furniture.
Expert tips: mixed collections of vintage costume, valuable prints and delicate pieces need gentle handling and labelled supports to protect edges and seams.
Elevate, separate and organise the space
Keep all containers and furniture off the ground to reduce water damage risk and improve air circulation. Collections Trust recommends raising heavy objects on pallets when boxing is not feasible, which is equally useful in storage units
Use sturdy shelving units for cartons and a few strong shelves for small items, leaving space around delicate pieces so the storage area breathes. A lockable container or lockable cabinet adds security for jewellery, coins and other valuable items within units.
We advise grouping specific items by material, and not overloading a cupboard or a room. Keep a small stock of acid free paper, cotton tape and cartons so you are not tempted to use unsuitable materials at the last minute.
Create a stable storage environment
A stable storage environment is essential. Museums and conservation bodies emphasise avoiding large temperature swings and keeping relative humidity stable, since chemical reactions speed up at higher temperature and excess moisture can warp wood, lift veneers and corrode metals.
Icon highlights tailoring conditions to materials while keeping fluctuations tight rather than chasing a single number. See Icon’s environmental guidance and English Heritage’s loan environmental requirements for context.
The British Museum
A stable storage environment is essential. Museums and conservation bodies emphasise avoiding large temperature swings and keeping relative humidity stable, since chemical reactions speed up at higher temperature and excess moisture can warp wood, lift veneers and corrode metals.
Icon highlights tailoring conditions to materials while keeping fluctuations tight rather than chasing a single number. See Icon’s environmental guidance and English Heritage’s loan environmental requirements for context.
A stable storage environment is essential. Museums and conservation bodies emphasise avoiding large temperature swings and keeping relative humidity stable, since chemical reactions speed up at higher temperatures and excess moisture can warp wood, lift veneers and corrode metals.
Icon highlights tailoring conditions to materials while keeping fluctuations tight rather than chasing a single number. See Icon’s environmental guidance and English Heritage’s loan environmental requirements for context.
Always keep your antiques out of direct sunlight. Light damage is cumulative and irreversible, especially for textiles, paper and finishes. Museum Galleries Scotland advises eliminating direct sunlight where possible, using blinds, curtains or UV-filter glazing at home and in storage facilities
Use a simple digital thermo-hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and temperature in the room. The National Archives stresses the value of monitoring and calibrating equipment to ensure reliable readings.
Climate control vs what you actually need
Many storage providers advertise climate control, but what really matters is stability. Climate control usually means actively regulating temperature and humidity within a set band to protect sensitive materials.
For most households, the goal is not chasing a perfect number but avoiding extremes. Keep antiques out of direct sunlight and manage humidity to prevent warping or corrosion. Museums now recommend practical, material-led targets rather than strict universal settings, so focus on steady conditions and regular monitoring first.
At home, an interior room is better than a loft or shed, where swings are more common. If you choose professional storage, ask how temperature and humidity are monitored and whether corridors and loading bays are protected from direct sunlight.
At HOLD, our temperature-regulated, climate-secure units provide the steady environment antiques need. Combined with good packing and housekeeping, this is often the best way to safeguard valuable items long term.
Practical packing checklist to prevent damage
Use this short checklist when you store items so valuable antiques remain in good condition. It suits mixed collections of vintage and modern pieces, and helps protect treasured items that need extra care.
- Clean lightly and photograph for insurance purposes.
- Wrap with acid free tissue paper, then add an extra layer of paper or soft inert film before bubble wrap.
- Box small items in a container that fits, pad voids and label by material.
- Keep furniture off the ground on pallets, and use shelves for cartons.
- Maintain air circulation and avoid overcrowding the cupboard or room.
- Keep the storage environment stable and away from direct sunlight.
- Review after one week to spot movement in wood and adjust supports.
Choose professional storage facilities
HOLD utilises advanced security systems with 24-hour CCTV surveillance.
When your collection grows beyond a single room or cupboard, professional storage facilities can help. Look for clean, dry, secure premises with CCTV, access control and units that are easy to reach.
Remember to ask about pest monitoring, routine inspections and whether you can use pallets and shelving units within your unit to optimise space.
For particularly valuable items, choose units with strong doors, consider a lockable inner container for small high-value pieces, and confirm you can update your inventory on site.
If you are storing antique furniture alongside valuable artwork and textiles, ask how the team manages temperature, humidity and light during moves and in loading area. This will ensure you protect surfaces and prevent scratches.
Keep your antiques pristine with HOLD
Store smarter with HOLD. Our secure, temperature-regulated, climate-secure units provide the controlled space your antiques deserve, offering 24-hour access with PIN on request and easy digital booking.
Our online box shop also offers a range of affordable, high-quality packing materials, perfect for keeping antiques protected.
Get your free quote today for 50% off up to 8 weeks for new customers and our local price match within 3 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I aim for when storing antiques at home?
Aim for steady temperature and humidity rather than exact figures. Keep antiques out of hot lofts and damp sheds, and monitor the storage environment with a reliable meter. Museums stress stability and regular checks over perfection.
Is bubble wrap safe for antique furniture?
Yes, as an outer protective layer, but never let bubble wrap touch polished wood or painted surfaces. Interleave with acid free tissue paper or soft inert film to protect finishes.
How do I store a dining room table and chairs long term?
Disassemble what the maker designed to come apart, pad edges, wrap components with paper and blankets, then a light outer bubble wrap. Keep the dining room set off the ground on pallets and label legs, bolts and drawers so reassembly is simple.
Should I insure my items in storage units?
Yes. Photograph your belongings, keep valuations and check your policy wording. Many providers require proof for valuable items and may specify conditions for the storage environment.
HOLD’s Protection Plan addendum is separate from your insurance policy.
Can I stack boxes on antique furniture in storage?
Avoid stacking on top of antique furniture. Use shelves, leave space for air circulation and position cartons on pallets instead so larger items are not stressed.
Does wood furniture need to be stored in an optimal climate?
To preserve the condition of your wood and leather furnishings, we recommend climate-secure storage (like HOLD offers). These materials are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Does HOLD offer climate-controlled units?
While we don't technically provide climate-control, our facility is fully climate-secure. This means our storage units are prefect for document, stock, and valuables preservation. Our units maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels to protect sensitive items from damage due to environmental conditions.
