One of the most essential tasks while packing for a residential move is to secure your valuables so that they arrive in the new house in the same condition that they left in. This goes for your furniture too. Furniture can be some of the most expensive items you will be relocating in your move. If you are thinking about doing a DIY move rather than hiring professional movers, these tips for packing up furniture will help keep them from becoming damaged.
Gather Packing Supplies
You can start collecting supplies for wrapping and protecting your furniture months before moving day. It’s a popular moving myth that you just need cardboard boxes, packing tape, and moving blankets to pack and secure your belongings. But furniture needs more attention than throwing a packing blanket on top of your kitchen table. Wood furniture can be gouged, upholstery can be ripped, and glass can break if necessary measures are not taken. Gather furniture packing materials including:
- Stretchable plastic moving wrap
- Mattress covers
- Sofa covers
- Bubble wrap
- Multiple moving blankets
- Corrugated cardboard sheets
- Packing Tape
Measure Furniture
The size of your furniture will play a role in the moving process, and if you’re caught off guard when your couch won’t fit through the door, it can create additional stress. Take out your measuring tape, a piece of paper, and a pen, and start measuring your items. When moving, knowing the height, width, and length of a piece will help you plan for how you will get it out of the house and into the moving truck. Knowing the dimensions of your furniture will also help you determine what size moving truck will be big enough to fit all your belongings.
Clean Your Furniture
Make sure your furniture isn’t covered in dust, grime, or coarse particles that might damage the delicate surface of pieces like tables, dressers, and mirrors. Plus, unpacking clean furniture in your new home will be much more pleasant than unwrapping dirty furniture and needing to clean it after a long day of moving. Clean any sticky food residue, wipe glass clean, spot clean upholstery, and dust the cracks and crevices of items.
Remove Items From Inside Furniture
To make the packing task safer and simpler, remove any objects from within your furniture. Empty your bookshelf of any books and empty all drawers of their contents to make the furniture pieces lighter. Leaving items inside dressers or bookshelves could cause an accident during the moving process and may also cause damage to furniture or the items stored inside during transit.
Take Furniture Apart When Possible
Furniture that has been taken apart into smaller pieces is easier to wrap, box, and transport. Disassembling furniture will also make it easier to get through hallways and doorways without causing damage to the furniture or home. See if you can remove the legs, doors, and knobs from items. To keep the screws, bolts, and other small pieces together, use sealable plastic bags, label them with what the parts are for, then tape the bags to the underbelly or backs of the furniture to keep them from being misplaced. If you are unsure how to disassemble something, you should refer to the manual if you still have it or you can likely find the manual online through the manufacturer.
Other Tips for Packing Up Furniture
- Don’t apply bubble wrap or packing tape directly to the surface of delicate furniture as this may damage the finish.
- Take extra care when moving pieces of furniture that are antiques or are damaged. If an item is very damaged you may not want to keep it, consider leaving it behind.
- Protect the corners of furniture with thick corrugated cardboard and use shrink wrap to secure it in place.
- Pack smart by placing the most fragile items on top with the more study items on the bottom.
Hire the Professionals at S&M Moving
Moving large pieces of furniture can be cumbersome and a lot to handle on your own, even with these tips for packing up furniture. Let S&M Moving Systems make your local, long-distance, or worldwide relocation seamless and stress-free. We provide full-service moving as well as storage options. We will take the time necessary to care for your items. Visit the website to request a quote today.