1. Take Inventory and Assess Your Furniture
Before you lift a single chair, make a list of all your furniture pieces—couches, tables, dressers, even that quirky lamp stand. Note their condition, size, and any special needs (like fragile wood or glass tops). This helps you plan how to pack, move, or even store each item. If something’s already wobbly or damaged, decide if it’s worth moving or better left behind.
Why It Matters: An inventory prevents surprises. A friend once forgot about her oversized wardrobe until moving day, and it wouldn’t fit through the door without disassembly—cue hours of stress.
Smart Step: Snap photos of each piece. It’s handy for insurance claims or remembering how things looked before the move.
2. Clean Everything Thoroughly
Dust, dirt, or grime on furniture can cause scratches or stains during transit, especially if it’s wrapped tightly. Before packing, give every piece a good clean. Vacuum upholstered items like sofas to remove crumbs or pet hair. Wipe down wood surfaces with a gentle cleaner, and polish metal or glass to avoid smudges. Clean furniture is also kinder to your new home’s floors and walls.
Quick Tip: For leather furniture, use a conditioner to prevent cracking. Avoid over-wetting wood—it can warp if sealed damp.
Bonus: Cleaning doubles as a chance to inspect for loose screws or wobbly legs, which you can tighten before moving.
3. Disassemble What You Can
Taking furniture apart saves space and reduces damage risk. Remove legs from tables, headboards from bed frames, or shelves from bookcases if possible. Keep screws, bolts, and small parts in labeled ziplock bags taped to the furniture—or store them in one master container to avoid chaos. If you’re unsure how to disassemble something, check the manual or look up a video online.
Pro Hack: Use a power drill to speed things up, but go slow to avoid stripping screws. Number each piece with masking tape for easy reassembly.
Caution: Don’t force anything apart. If a piece seems stuck, it might need professional help to avoid breaking.
4. Protect Surfaces with Proper Wrapping
Unprotected furniture is a magnet for scratches and dings. Wrap every piece carefully: use moving blankets or quilts for large items like dressers, bubble wrap for delicate edges like glass tabletops, and stretch wrap for upholstered pieces to keep them clean. Secure wrapping with packing tape, but avoid taping directly on wood or fabric—it can leave sticky residue or peel finishes.
Game-Changer: For extra protection on high-value items, resources like this offer guides and tools to pack furniture like a pro, ensuring nothing gets damaged in transit.
Story Time: When I moved my dining table, I skipped wrapping the legs, thinking they’d be fine. Big mistake—one got scuffed against a wall. Now I wrap everything, no exceptions.
5. Use Corner Protectors and Padding
Corners and edges are furniture’s weak spots during a move. Invest in foam or cardboard corner protectors for tables, desks, or cabinets—they’re cheap and absorb shocks. For extra padding, slide cardboard sheets between stacked items or around sharp edges. If you’re short on supplies, cut up old boxes or use folded towels secured with tape.
Budget Trick: Check hardware stores for free cardboard scraps—they’re often happy to give away extras. A little DIY goes a long way.
Must-Do: Double-check that protectors stay in place during loading. A loose corner guard is as good as none.
6. Plan Loading and Transport Carefully
How you load furniture into the moving truck matters. Place heavy items like dressers low and against the truck’s walls to stabilize the load. Put lighter pieces, like chairs, on top or in gaps. Use straps or bungee cords to secure everything—shifting furniture can crack frames or dent walls. If you’re hiring movers, share your inventory list so they know what to expect.
Mover Tip: Ask your moving company about their loading process. Some pros use floor runners or door jamb protectors to avoid dings, which is a lifesaver for tight spaces.
Safety First: Never stack heavy furniture without help. A tipped-over bookcase isn’t just a moving fail—it’s a hospital trip waiting to happen.
7. Inspect Furniture Upon Arrival
Once you’re in your new home, check your furniture before the movers leave. Look for scratches, dents, or missing parts, especially on items you flagged as fragile. Compare against your pre-move photos or inventory list. If anything’s damaged, report it immediately for insurance claims or mover accountability. Unwrap carefully to avoid nicks during unpacking.
Smooth Finish: Set up one piece at a time to avoid clutter. Reassemble furniture in its final spot to save dragging it across floors later.
Parent Hack: If you’re juggling kids or pets, prioritize checking high-value items first, like your dining set, so you can focus on settling in.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your furniture for a house move doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a solid inventory, thorough cleaning, careful disassembly, and smart wrapping, you’ll keep your pieces safe from start to finish. Plan your loading, use protectors, and double-check everything at your new home to avoid costly surprises. These seven tips will help you move your furniture with confidence, ensuring your new space feels like home—without the repair bills. Get ready for a smooth relocation and a fresh start in your new digs.