How to Pack Furniture When Moving Long Distance
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 tips and tricks. And we will provide the best ones.
When packing 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. For added protection, 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 packing 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.
Decluttering Is Necessary When Packing Furniture
First of all, when deciding what to bring, you must keep in mind your reasons to move. Remember that the list of things you should pack for college is nothing compared to the inventory list when relocating a three-bedroom house. However, even in the second case, 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.
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 the weight of your household goods. 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.
Separate All Removable Parts Before the Car Shipping Company Arrives
One of the things people forget to do when relocating is to disassemble their belongings. 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.
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 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 relocating bulky objects. So, aside from having the right supplies for packing, 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:
- 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 big base and wheels will 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 things is crucial if you want to make the move easier for yourself.
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.
How Do You Pack Heavy Furniture Such as Beds and Sofas? Wrapping Furniture for Moving Is Tricky
Different ways of wrapping furniture for moving can depend not only on the type of the furnishing piece but also the type of textile. For example, you can’t use the same supplies to cover a velvet and leather sofa. In the first case, you can utilize anything from stretch to specialty-designed sofa covers that can protect your item from moisture, dust, or dirt. In the second case, you can’t place plastic directly on the leather because the leather will sweat and deteriorate.
As for wrapping, it’s a pretty basic job – make sure that everything is covered and secure the wrapping material with tape. If there are some wooden parts of the couch, ensure that they are protected, too. You can use the same method with your king and regular-sized beds, armchairs, and the like – just make sure to disassemble them first.
How to Wrap Glass Tables, Mirrors, and Other Delicate Objects?
Encounters with fragile objects in your household will not end with packing gasses and other breakable kitchen utensils. If you have a soft spot for glass furnishings, know that you’ll need to go the extra mile to protect them during transport. A combination of cardboard, blankets, and bubble wrap is probably the best choice with this kind of belongings. Place the cardboard pieces on each side of the item and the edges and cover it up with bubble wrap. If you want another layer of protection, don’t hesitate to add blankets, too. Just make sure that the glass is protected beforehand.
For large mirrors, it would be wise to place tape in the shape of an X on the glass and then utilize the same wrapping technique. That way, if the mirror gets broken during the transport, the glass won’t shatter and harm other of your belongings or even you. As for smaller objects, such as lamps, you can utilize bubble wrap or regular packing paper. Just ensure to disassemble the lamp, cover each piece separately, and put them in a padded box.
How Do You Pack Wooden Furniture for Moving?
Plastic stretch or bubble wrap can’t go anywhere near wooden tables, chairs, and other wooden furnishings because they can cause irreversible damage. Instead, use softer and non-plastic materials that can secure better protection. Go with old towels and linens, if you have to move out of state on budget, or specially designed relocation blankets if you can afford to spend. If you want to secure the position of the wrapping material with tape, ensure that it doesn’t touch the wooden surface directly. 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.
Unfortunately, accidents are always a possibility. Don’t feel devastated if you spot a scratch or two on wooden surfaces. With the tips from the following video, they will seem almost non-existent:
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.
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. They know the answer to the question of how do you pack furniture for cargo without too many worries. There is only one way to secure a stress-free move no matter the size of your household – get help from professional long-distance movers. When the relocation day comes, you will not regret it.
FAQ
What Materials Do I Need to Pack My Furniture?
When packing furniture for a move, there are a few supplies you will need. Moving boxes or bags that are large enough to fit the pieces of furniture you need to pack should be your first priority. These come in various sizes and strengths and can usually be found at most storage stores. You’ll also want to have moving blankets or bubble wrap on hand to reduce any movements when transporting items from one place to another. Foam corner guards and packing papers are great for extra protection for delicates while packing tape and labels help secure each box and clearly identify what type of item is inside. Finally, make sure you keep all hardware organized with bubble wrap so it’s easy to find once unpacked.
How Do I Prepare My Furniture for Moving?
First, measure the pieces of furniture you need to pack and get appropriate moving boxes or bags. These come in various sizes and strengths so make sure you get ones that fit your items snugly with some space left inside for padding. Once your boxes are ready, start wrapping furniture with moving blankets or bubble wrap if needed, adding an extra layer of protection. For delicate items, foam corner guards and packing paper can provide extra cushioning against shifting during transportation. Keep all hardware together with bubble wrap so it’s easy to find once unpacking. Use packing tape or labels to secure each box and clearly identify what type of item is inside each one for easy organization.
What Is the Best Way to Protect My Furniture During the Move?
Protecting furniture during a move doesn’t have to be complicated. By measuring the furniture pieces that need to be packed, getting appropriate moving boxes or bags, wrapping items with blankets or bubble wrap for extra protection, keeping all hardware together with bubble wrap for easy unpacking, and using packing tape and labels to secure each box and identify its contents, you can ensure your furniture arrives safe and sound at its new home. Additionally, it’s important to research insurance policies that cover damaged items during transportation and climate-controlled storage units for extra protection. With some time spent on preparation before the move day, you can rest assured that all of your items will arrive at their new destination without damage.
How Do I Disassemble and Reassemble My Furniture?
When disassembling furniture, take note of each part, label them, or take photographs so it’s easier to remember when putting them back together. Remove any cushions or other removable items first before unscrewing or unbolting larger pieces. Set these removed components aside somewhere safe until you’re ready to reassemble.
When reassembling furniture, start with the frame and work your way up from there. Make sure that all pieces are lined up properly and use screws as opposed to nails when attaching pieces for better stability. If you’re having trouble putting things back together don’t hesitate to refer to your notes or pictures taken earlier for help. Once everything is in its place, test out your work by pushing down on different parts of the item before securing all hardware with an Allen key if necessary. With patience and careful attention paid to detail, you’ll be able to put your furniture back together like new!
What Should I Do With Drawers in My Furniture During the Move?
It’s important to make sure that the drawer stays intact and secure during the process for maximum protection. To do this, start by emptying out all drawers and any removable parts from them or the furniture unit itself. Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap and label it so you know where it goes. Similarly, wrap each separate drawer with a protective layer of bubble wrap or towels before placing them inside smaller boxes for easy transport.
If you have multiple pieces of furniture with drawers that stack inside one another, then make sure you disassemble them first and remember which sections go where. If necessary, use packing tape to label drawers and also mark their position in the stack as well. Once everything is safely packed away, secure the boxes shut using strong packing tape and label them as “fragile” so that they are handled with extra care during transportation.
How Do I Properly Wrap and Cushion My Furniture?
Start by measuring how much bubble wrap, newspaper, or specialized moving blankets you’ll need for each piece. If needed, purchase extra protective materials such as a stretch wrap or foam corner protectors for added protection. Remove any removable parts and secure them in separate bags or boxes with labels so you can easily find them later.
Next, use newspaper, bubble wrap, or specialized moving blankets to wrap all four sides of the item before securing it with packing tape. For added protection, strap your furniture together using furniture straps, which will keep them securely fastened during transit. Use pieces of foam between individual items to protect surfaces from scratching as well. To reduce further impacts like shifting during transport, fill table legs and desk drawers with rolled-up towels or newspapers to stabilize them and keep everything in place. Once everything is packed safely away and ready to go, apply extra caution when loading your items onto a truck or van for the move.
How Do I Transport Large Furniture Items?
When it comes to moving large furniture items like couches, chairs, and beds, it is important to take extra care to ensure they make it safely to their new home. Start by removing any detachable parts such as cushions or drawers and carefully wrapping them in bubble wrap or packing paper. To prevent the furniture from shifting during transport, use straps or rope to secure them together before loading them onto the truck or van. Make sure that larger items like beds are securely supported on both sides of the moving vehicle in order to reduce any bouncing and shock during the ride. When possible, disassemble your furniture into its smallest components for easier maneuverability but remember to also label each piece separately so you know how it should be reassembled later.
How Do I Pack Fragile Furniture Items?
When packing fragile furniture like glass tables or mirrors, the key to safe transport is taking extra steps for protection. Wrap each item in bubble wrap and secure it with packing tape for added stability. When possible, remove any shelves or drawers and place them in separate boxes labeled with their contents. Place heavier items, such as wooden dressers beneath lighter pieces like glass tabletops to help protect from any shocks that may come along during transportation. Just make sure to leave enough space between furniture pieces for the necessary padding material to be placed between them.
Can I Pack My Furniture in the Original Boxes It Came In?
You can certainly pack your furniture items in their original packaging. First, make sure that the boxes are sturdy and undamaged, as weak or damaged packaging can lead to breakage during transport. Once you have confirmed that the boxes are still usable, wrap the furniture in bubble wrap and packing paper before carefully placing them inside of the box. This will provide additional protection against any bumps in the road. Lastly, make sure to secure the boxes with strong packing tape before loading them onto the truck or van for transport.
What Should I Do if I Need to Store My Furniture Before the Move?
When preparing to move your furniture, it is important to take the necessary steps to preserve its condition while they are in storage. This will help ensure that your items arrive undamaged and in the same condition as when they were stored. To accomplish this, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry each piece of furniture before packing them away for transport. Additionally, wrap each item securely in bubble wrap, blankets, or packing paper for additional protection. Lastly, label each item clearly so you know where it goes when you unpack after the move.
