Protect Your Furniture Before You Move

When you think about the act of moving (not your new home), your first thoughts probably drift to all those small pieces and glasses that need to be packed. And, it’s true, you will need to spend plenty of time getting through all of that. (And, it may just be the reason you hire packers along with your movers.)

But, you shouldn’t forget about your furniture. After all, these are likely to be more expensive pieces that you really don’t want damaged. And, it’s never as simple to move these items as you think it would be given their size.

What’s the right way to handle these larger items?

Sideboards, Cupboards, Bookshelves, Desks, and Dressers

Plan to disassemble any furniture that can be disassembled (this includes bed frames and tables too). And remember to stay organised while you do so. That means plastic bags to store screws (and perhaps some notes to yourself regarding assembly). Flat packing is the easiest way to handle any movement of your furniture – and it eases potential damage to your walls during the move.

But, disabling your furniture is hardly the first or last step of the process.

If you have any furniture with removable drawers, you’ll want to decide whether you plan to remove these drawers (if the piece is heavy) or if you want to simply hold them in place during the move. If you can remove drawers and use them for packing items, do so. But remember, this sets your drawers up for potential damage, so you shouldn’t do this for valuable, expensive, or sentimental pieces.

Using drawers as packing boxes does require you to remove them first. You can’t pack items into your furniture as this will make items too heavy (and likely to be dropped or damaged).

Drawers that will remain in units, as well as doors, will need to be secured. After cleaning these items (do it now as dust and debris can scratch hard surfaces during your move), secure doors and drawers with string.

Then, pay attention to the feet or any embellishments that protrude from your piece (that includes movable handles that flop down on drawers). These should be wrapped in plastic wrap individually. You will need tape to hold that bubble wrap in place. Then, wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap.

Just a note on antique or decorative pieces – you may want to cut large pieces of cardboard to lay flat along decorative sides before wrapping with bubble wrap.

Upholstered Chairs, Couches, and Mattresses

You wouldn’t think you need to do anything more than strip mattresses of their linens and line them up for packing on the day, but that’s not ideal. Realistically, you’ll want to protect these items as much as you can.

For most upholstered items, you can get away with adding blankets as padding and then wrapping each one in plastic wrap. But, don’t forget that legs and embellishments will need bubble wrap secured in place.

Remember to ensure you keep all the pieces you need to reconstruct your furniture together. Plastic bags secured to each piece should do it, but you want to make sure these don’t protrude. If they do, a small box with individual bags (properly labeled, of course), will do the trick.

Now, isn’t it time to start unloading all of those drawers so your move is as smooth (and damage free) as it can be.

Packing Your Kitchen Before a Big Move

Moving is one of the most stressful (though usually positive) experiences to live through. That’s especially true when you like to remain in control and do a lot of the work yourself. Getting and maintaining organisation is the only way to get through it without losing your mind. Read More …