Packing furniture for a move feels like an overwhelming task. Cabinets, beds, tables, and sofas are not only extra-large and heavy, but they are also expensive and often include fragile parts. Packing furniture improperly may result in gouged woods, ripped upholstery, and broken glasses.
Packing Furniture for Moving
Fortunately, there are proven ways you can pack without worrying about any damage. If you don’t plan to hire professional movers, here are tips and tricks to make the process easy.
Sort Out Your Furniture
We only think of old clothes and broken small items when we get rid of the old stuff before moving. But it is even more essential when moving furniture. Because of its weight and size, furniture contributes significantly to the stress and cost of moving.
It is vital to let go of furniture pieces that are worn out or don’t fit into your new home. Only pack the ones you absolutely enjoy.
Get the Right Packing Supplies and Tools.
Having the suitable packing material sets you up for a successful move of your furniture. You can head to a local store or Amazon to obtain these protective packing materials:
● Bubble Wrap
● Sofa and mattress covers
● Plastic stretch wrap
● Sealable plastic bags
● Corrugated cardboard sheets
Aside from packing supplies, you’ll need tools like screwdrivers and spanners to disassemble some furniture.
Get the Furniture Ready for Packing
Before packing, clean the furniture pieces thoroughly, especially the underside and back, which are rarely cleaned. You should also scratch surfaces to remove stubborn stains.
Cleaning your furniture reduces the amount of grime you take to your new home and prevents them from being scratched while moving.
Disassemble Furniture in Advance
Take apart all the parts of each furniture piece. From table legs, bed frames, and cushions to any part of the furniture that can be disassembled. Doing this makes it easier for you to pack the furniture and prevent any damage caused by hitting the door frames or the wall. Arranging the items is also easier when dismantled. Things to keep in mind while at it:
- Use the manufacturer’s manual to disassemble and reassemble them.
- Protect fragile furniture like glass tabletops with soft padding when dismantling.
- If the furniture is complicated, take pictures or record a video of the deconstruction process.
- Secure screws and tiny pieces in a sealable plastic and tape the bag to the furniture it belongs to.
Wrap the Furniture Properly
Moving Blankets, plastic sheets, and bubble wrap are the best materials for protecting your furniture when moving house. However, each piece needs to be wrapped according to its materials, size, and components.
- For furniture with glass, detach the glass and wrap it exactly how mirrors are wrapped before placing them in a mirror box.
- A furniture bag is the best option when wrapping couches and wooden furniture. But a moving blanket is also a decent alternative. Wrap the couch entirely and secure it with a packing tape
- Check your drawer for hidden items and pack pillows or blankets in them. This will save you a lot of packing space. Secure the drawers with packing tape before wrapping the furniture.
Protect the Flooring
Considering the weight of most pieces of furniture, moving them around won’t be easy, and you may end up damaging the floor. You need floor sliders or chair socks to move them effortlessly to avoid this. You can also cover the floor with corrugated cardboard or Ram Board. Additionally, you can carry the items using a dolly with wheels.
7 Cost-Saving Tips For Moving Furniture
Furniture pieces are arguably the items that make moving expensive. Cutting down the cost of moving furniture will generally reduce the cost of moving. Here are some things you should do to reduce the cost of moving your furniture:
Donate Some Pieces of Furniture
Donating old furniture to an organization means killing two birds with a stone. You are engaging in charity and decluttering old items. Instead of wasting money moving unnecessary furniture, you obtain a tax write-off.
You can also give it out to family and friends that need it.
Organize a Yard Sale
Organizing a yard or garage sale is a great way to make more money during a move. Before you pack, inspect your furniture objectively and pick out items you can sell out. Next, pick a date and even inform your friends and neighbors.
You can also sell your items online on LetGo, Craigslist, OfferUp, or similar platforms. It is important to start selling them early to avoid shifting your moving day.
Pack the Furniture by Yourself
Although moving your items yourself may lose time and put in more effort, it will definitely cut down a substantial amount of money. However, it is essential to be realistic here. Consider the number of items you need to pack and the helping hands available.
Rent a Portable Container
Portable containers are the perfect alternative to hiring full-service movers. It is cheaper by almost %50 and can be suitable if you’re moving on a budget. But you’re totally responsible for packing, loading, and unpacking all your items.
Utilize LTL Furniture Shipping
This is one of the cheapest ways to move your furniture. LTL ( less than truckload) shipping is only convenient when you don’t need your furniture immediately. This method of transporting your belongings takes time as your goods make many stops but save you a lot of money. However, it is crucial to ensure your items are well wrapped to remain undamaged.
Move During Low-Cost Season
It is more expensive to move in summer than in any other season, and this is because many families prefer to move before another school year begins.
The end of the month is also another busy time for movers due to the expiration of rents.
To cut down the cost of moving, it’s advisable to schedule your move for the middle of any month between October and April.
Opt for Hourly Services
This method might be cheaper than DIY moves if well utilized. You don’t need to rent furniture pads, dollies, and other packing tools. Paying for help only when you need it will save you more money than a full-service move. It’s important to note that this method works better for short-distance moves.
