Are you going to be moving houses in the near future? There are a million things you should do before you actually step foot in your new place. While it might be tempting to leave your old furniture behind and buy a new one in your new place, it’s not a financially responsible decision. Taking your furniture along is a much better option, at least financially, but it means that you should figure out transportation pretty early on. Furniture and other goods often get damaged while moving. Here is how you can prevent this from happening to you.

Dismantle and disassemble 

One of the first things you should do about all the furniture you’re planning on taking with you when you move is to see what can be dismantled and disassembled. Of course, not everything should be pulled apart just because it can, but if you have pieces which can easily and safely be taken apart, doing so will save you loads of time and money in the long run. The items which can be dismantled safely are usually bed frames, modular sofas, as well as simple and smaller coffee tables. This will be so much easier to do if you have original assembly instructions in a box or a drawer somewhere, but even if you don’t have it, it can be done. When everything is safely in pieces, wrap them in plastic wrap or some other form of protective covering, and neatly place them inside a cardboard box. 

Utilize Ziploc bags

When disassembling furniture, you will soon learn that there will be nuts, bolts, and a million screws lying around. It might seem there are enough to spare, but if you forget one by accident, you might not be able to sleep in your bed in your new place, or you might not have a place to put a coffee cup while watching TV. This is important to do while pulling things apart – place screws, nuts, and bolts inside sealed Ziploc and regular small plastic baggies. It should go without saying that each and every bag should be labeled: “coffee table”, “bed frame”, etc. By doing this, when you finally arrive at your new home and start reassembling furniture, you will have all the parts within reach. 

Ask for help

We understand that some things go without saying, but we can’t stress how important it is to not lift heavy furniture on your own. We’re always surprised to find out just how many people try to pick up their heavy furniture by themselves, without even attempting to ask for help. Not only is this very dangerous for the person doing the lifting of the heavy furniture, but sadly, it’s also a fool-proof way to damage or even break the furniture (and floors too). Ask left and right and do everything in your power to recruit help when moving furniture. If you aren’t able to find free help, it’s best you hire experts in furniture removals. Not only will they do the heavy lifting, but they will take the pieces to your new place making sure they stay safe and whole. 

Move things around with ease

If you happen to have hardwood floors in your place (old or new), you’re in luck. Moving furniture around the house will be a breeze with a few simple modifications. You should place felt pads, gliders, old towels, or just some cardboard underneath the legs of the furniture. Not only will this save your precious floors from being damaged, but your furniture won’t be scratched either. Not to mention that sliding things around will be easier on your back than picking them up and carrying them from one room to another. 

Get enough bubble wrap

Don’t just throw furniture onto a moving truck and call it a day. If you’re doing the moving on your own, prep everything first. Wrapping furniture parts in plastic wrap is a great starting point, and bubble wrap is so popular for a good reason. Plastic wrap is tear-resistant as well as clingy, and it protects furniture from scratches on the road. It also does wonders for keeping furniture pieces together. If you don’t have the money for bubble wrap or moving blankets, regular blankets will do the trick. Also, any kind of large sheet combined with flattened cardboard and old towels can work too.

Transporting smaller pieces and trinkets might seem like a piece of cake at first, but when it comes to larger pieces and bulky furniture, it’s going to be a huge challenge. This is especially important if you’re planning on doing the majority of the move yourself. If you don’t do the legwork – proper planning, making lists, packing and labeling boxes – your furniture might easily end up damaged. Protecting your furniture while moving should be your top priority, and proper preparation will help you do just that.