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How to Move a China Cabinet or Hutch

Published 2026-06-19 · Best Movers LA editorial team

A china cabinet is the trickiest piece of dining-room furniture: heavy, often two pieces, and full of glass. Empty it, take it apart, and it moves without drama.

Empty it completely

Remove everything inside — dishes, glassware, collectibles — and pack them separately as fragile items. Nothing should ride inside the cabinet; even one loose plate becomes a projectile.

Remove glass and shelves

Take out the glass shelves and any removable glass panels, wrap each in bubble wrap, and pack them flat-safe in a mirror/picture carton on edge. For the doors, either remove them or tape an X on the glass and pad them well so they can't swing or shatter.

Separate the two pieces

Most hutches are a heavy base (buffet) and a top (the glass display), often just resting or lightly attached. Separate them and move each piece individually — moving it assembled is top-heavy, dangerous, and likely to rack the joints. Bag any hardware.

Wrap, carry and reassemble

Blanket-wrap both pieces, pad the corners, and carry with two people and a dolly, keeping them upright. Reassemble in place at the new home and reinstall the glass shelves last. Our crews handle two-piece cabinets and the fragile glass as part of the move — see our dishes & glassware guide, fragile-packing guide, and furniture protection guide.

Related guides

Related questions

How do you move a china cabinet?

Empty it, remove the glass shelves and panels (wrap each), separate the two-piece body into base and top, blanket-wrap and carry each piece upright with two people, then reassemble in place.

Should I take the glass out of a china cabinet before moving?

Yes — remove the glass shelves and any removable panels and wrap them individually. For fixed door glass, tape an X on it and pad it well so it can't shatter.

Can you move a hutch in one piece?

You shouldn't — most hutches are a heavy base and a separate glass top. Moving them assembled is top-heavy and racks the joints. Separate and move each piece individually.

What about the dishes inside?

Remove everything and pack it separately as fragile items — dishes, glassware and collectibles should never ride inside the cabinet.

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