How to Pack Furniture When Moving Long Distance

November 1, 2021 / Posted in How-to
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

Whether you are a hoarder, a minimalist, or something in between, learning how to pack furniture is a necessity when relocating cross-country. It’s especially important if you opt against hiring a long-distance moving company. If you decide that all the work should go over your back, literally and figuratively, you’ll need a few furniture packing tips and tricks, and we will provide the best ones.

Professional cross-country movers relocating furniture
If you are determined to enjoy your furnishings in a new place, you must learn how to get them there first

When protecting furniture, make sure to measure the pieces of furniture you need to pack and get appropriate supplies. You’ll want to make sure the straps used for securing are big enough for your items. Once everything is ready, start wrapping furniture with moving blankets or bubble wrap. Use foam corner guards and packing paper on the more delicate pieces. Ensure all hardware is kept together in bags so it’s easy to find when unpacking. Finally, use tape and labels to secure each box and clearly identify what type of item is inside each one.

How to Prepare Furniture for Moving?

When getting organized to move, the first thing on your relocation to-do list must be preparation. That means that each item needs to be thoroughly cleaned, vacuumed, or wiped before the packing starts.

Not only is relocating dust and debris alongside your belongings not hygienic, but it can also cause permanent damage to some things during transport. Even if you have a last-minute move on your hands, try not to skip this task, no matter how unimportant it seems.

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Decluttering Is Necessary When Packing Furniture

First of all, when deciding what to bring, you must keep in mind your reasons for relocating. It’s necessary to decide what to get rid of when it comes to large household belongings. If you are relocating from a house to an apartment, for example, not all of your big and bulky objects will fit in a new space.

So before you start doing anything else, go through each piece and decide what to keep. For the stuff that you won’t bring with you, opt for gifting, selling, or donating unwanted items if they are still usable.

Cutting Costs on Interstate Moves With Decluttering

The same actions should be taken if you plan on getting long-distance moving services. Keep in mind that the cost of interstate relocation depends on many factors. However, if you’re relocating with Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving, you’ll get a transparent quote without hidden fees. That way you can organize your relocation with ease.

Considering the heaviness of many furnishing pieces, the smart move would be to purge and bring only what you really need.

That is if you are looking for the answer on how to save on relocation costs. After all, there are some pricey pieces with sentimental value, so it’s natural you want the utmost protection for them.

The priciest furniture item is a badminton cabinet, valued at $36.7 million.

Separate All Removable Parts Before the Car Shipping Company Arrives

One of the things people forget is furniture disassembly for moving. After you get a better picture of the stuff you’ll bring, ensure to inspect everything and find out what can be taken apart and how. That way, each disassembled piece will be packed more easily and securely.

On the other hand, if you hire a relocation company, this won’t be a part of your job, even if you opt against getting additional packing services. It’s completely understandable to reconsider your choice about a DIY move now that you have this fact in mind.

Woman and man with furniture
Be ready when the professionals come

From Bubble Wrap to Relocation Blankets – All the Packing Materials You’ll Need

If you want to find out how to protect furniture when moving, know that almost all accidents can be avoided with proper wrapping. If you don’t want textile to get ripped and if you fear scratches on your precious wooden items, you must learn how to do it. So in order to become a master of the trade, consider getting some of the following furniture packing supplies:

  • Cardboard
  • Bubble wrap
  • Mattress and sofa covers,
  • Blankets,
  • Stretch foil,
  • Zip bags (for all small parts, such as screws, bolts, and alike),
  • Marker (for labeling zip bags).

How to Protect Furniture When Moving – Gather the Right Equipment for Large and Heavy Items

While relocating boxes from your home to the truck is a relatively easy task, the same can’t be said for packing bulky furniture items. Aside from having the right supplies, you also need to think about the equipment that will allow you to transport big-sized things more easily. So you can protect your belongings, but also yourself and your old home, think about buying or renting some of the following supplies.

Sliders

Pushing is always easier than lifting, which is why many opt for different kinds of sliders. The best part is that you don’t need to buy professional ones. You can use supplies from your own home, like old linens and rugs for hardwood floors. On the other hand, frisbees or even plastic plates can be an excellent substitute for plastic sliders.

Lifting Straps

This useful gadget will help you move even the bulkiest of items. It will transfer the weight of an item to a stronger part of your body, such as your shoulders.

Dollies

A dolly has a big base and wheels and it can help you move efficiently and, more importantly, safely.

Make Sure You Are Familiar With All Proper Lifting Techniques

When lifting big and bulky belongings, people tend to injure themselves because they do it all wrong. Learning some tips about proper lifting techniques will help you not to become a part of that statistic.

For example, did you know that lifting must always start from the squatting position? Or that the further the object is from you, the heavier it seems? Knowing these kinds of furniture packing techniques is crucial if you want to make the move easier for yourself and avoid unnecessary injuries.

Long-distance movers relocating furniture
Knowing proper techniques for lifting can save you from some pretty painful back injuries

How to Pack Furniture for Moving So the Pieces Don’t End Up Damaged?

Not all of your belongings are the same, which is why for different types, you’ll need a different approach or even different supplies. If you end up using the wrong one, you might damage your belongings, which is the opposite of what you wish to achieve. But we have you covered – just consider the following guidelines.

Pack Heavy Furniture Such as Beds and Sofas Efficiently

Wrapping furniture for moving varies by the item and material. For velvet sofas, use stretch or sofa covers to shield against moisture and dirt, whereas leather requires breathable materials to prevent deterioration.

Cover all parts securely with tape, including wooden elements. This is one of the efficient furniture packing methods that applies to beds, armchairs, and similar furniture. Just remember to disassemble them first for easier handling.

Wrap Glass Tables, Mirrors, and Other Delicate Objects

Packing fragile furniture like glass furniture and kitchenware requires extra care. Use cardboard, bubble wrap, and blankets for optimal protection. For glass, place cardboard on each side and edges, then wrap in bubble wrap, adding blankets for additional safety.

Apply tape in an X shape on large mirrors before wrapping to prevent the glass from shattering if broken. For smaller items like lamps, use bubble wrap or packing paper, disassemble them, and place each piece in a padded box for transport.

 

Pack Wooden Furniture for Moving

Use softer and non-plastic materials for securing furniture for transport. Go with old towels and linens, if you have to move out of state on a budget, or specially designed relocation blankets if you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that the corners of an item are most likely to be damaged during transport. In order to avoid that, add cardboard over the edges.

What Is the Easiest Way to Transport Furniture When Cross-Country Moving?

How to pack a relocation truck is one more question you must answer before you start loading your stuff in it. Load your truck the way professional cross-country movers would. Know that large and heavy boxes should go first, followed by all the large and bulky things.

Your goal is to balance the weight and avoid any kind of tumbling during the transport to your new home. For large items, such as furnishings, use straps to tie them to a truck. It’s the best way to ensure that they don’t move.

Can You Transport Furnishings in a Car With an Auto Transport Company?

If you don’t want to hire an auto transport company to ship the car cross-country, you’re probably wondering if you could load some of the furnishings in your vehicle. If that is the case, we advise you to be careful.

While boxes with lamps and other small objects can easily fit in your car, some bigger stuff might get damaged. The best tip we can give you is to be realistic and not overpack your vehicle – it can backfire badly.

A car packed for long-distance moving
If you are not hiring a car shipping company, you can place some cargo in your vehicle - just be careful not to overpack

With the Best Long-Distance Movers, Each Piece Will Stay Safe and Intact

Keep in mind that in some cases, you can’t move furnishings alone and without hiring movers. For example, if you are relocating while pregnant, you shouldn’t lift even the lightest of boxes, not to mention something heavier like a couch.

On the other hand, all that thinking about possible injuries and damage drives many people to think about contacting a relocation company, no matter the cost. That’s why you should get the needed help from Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving. We know the answer to the question of how to pack furniture for cargo without too many worries. Contact us and we’ll secure a stress-free move no matter the size of your household.

FAQ

What Materials Do I Need to Pack My Furniture?

For packing furniture, you’ll need appropriately sized moving boxes or bags, moving blankets or bubble wrap for cushioning, foam corner guards, and packing paper for delicate items. Packing tape and labels will secure and identify contents while organizing hardware in bubble wrap ensures easy unpacking. These essentials are available at most storage stores.

How Do I Prepare My Furniture for Moving?

Start by measuring your furniture to select the right size moving boxes or bags, allowing extra room for furniture padding for moving. Wrap furniture in moving blankets or bubble wrap for protection, using foam corner guards and packing paper for delicate items. Keep hardware organized in bubble wrap for easy access upon unpacking. Secure boxes with packing tape and use labels for clear identification and organization.

What Is the Best Way to Protect My Furniture During the Move?

Simplifying furniture protection for a move involves measuring pieces, using suitable boxes or bags, wrapping with blankets or bubble wrap, keeping hardware together, and securing with packing tape and labels. Additionally, consider insurance for transport damage and climate-controlled storage for added safety. Proper preparation ensures your furniture’s safe arrival at its new home.

Can I Pack My Furniture in the Original Boxes It Came In?

If available, use original packaging for your furniture, ensuring boxes are sturdy and intact to prevent damage during transport. Wrap items in bubble wrap and packing paper for extra protection, then secure the boxes with strong packing tape before loading them for transport.

What Should I Do if I Need to Store My Furniture Before the Move?

Before moving, clean and dry your furniture to preserve its condition in storage. Wrap securely in bubble wrap, blankets, or packing paper for protection. Label each item for easy identification upon unpacking.

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